We have always enjoyed making gingerbread houses with family and friends. Its the perfect way to use up Halloween candy, and make a humongous mess right in the middle of the holidays. And memories!

Dannie's Royal Icing is the best. One year we tried using meringue powder instead of egg whites and it just didn't hold. Everyone's houses collapsed. Maybe I didn't mix it long enough, but I decided to not mess around anymore. I'm all in with egg whites.

We made 5 modest gingerbread houses this weekend and used 3 boxes of graham crackers (there are four boxes in one case at CostCo). I made two batches of frosting and we had plenty leftover.

Dannie's Royal Icing (aka. Best House Spackle Ever)
6 egg whites
1 tsp. cream of tartar
2 lb. powdered sugar

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar to a froth. Add powdered sugar and stir to combine. Turn mixer to high and beat for 7-10 minutes until very thick, like a heavy paste. Add frosting to quart size freezer bags and seal the top. Cut off a corner of the bag with scissors to make a piping bag.

2011, Age 5, Rapunzel's Tower

2012, Age 6

2015, Age 10 (two Elizabeths!)
2016, Age 11

2018, Age 13