4cupsconfectioner's sugar (1 pound), siftedThe sifting is important here!
Instructions
Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until frothy.
Slowly add 1/4 cup of the sugar, and mix well.
Keep beating on low speed, and slowly add the rest of the sugar, scraping the sides every 20 seconds.
Notes
Room temperature whites are easier to work with, but cold eggs are easier to separate. If you have time, separate the eggs while cold, and let the whites sit at room temp for 30-60 minutes.
While raw eggs are relatively safe, do not feed this to pregnant woment, babies, young children, elderly, or anyone whose health is compromised.
To make a glue for building a gingerbread house, add 1 tablespoon at a time until the icing becomes thick. It takes a while for this to set up and harden, so don't rush to adding a lot of sugar. 2-4 tbsp is usually right.