Gingerbread House Recipe
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup shortening
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 7 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp ginger
- 1 cup water (add more if needed)
In a bowl combine shortening, vanilla and brown sugar until smooth & creamy.
Beat in molasses.
In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger.
Slowly add ½ of the floured mixture to the creamed mixture and mix well.
Add ½ cup water and mix well.
Add remaining flour and continue mixing. Add remainder of water, as needed until dough is stiff and consistent.
Cut your dough into desired shapes, and bake at 350F for approximately 10-15 minutes. Pieces should be hard (firm when pressed with finger) but not burnt.
Royal Icing
- 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons powdered egg whites/meringue powder
- 1/4 cup warm water
Beat confectioners' sugar, powdered egg whites and water in large mixing bowl on low speed 2 minutes to combine. Increase to high; beat 4 minutes till thickened and creamy. Thin the icing, when necessary, with additional water, or add more confectioners' sugar for thicker icing. Cover icing with plastic wrap, pressing directly on surface to prevent drying out between decorating steps. You can also divide the icing to add different food colorings.
Read up on these tips for building and decorating a holiday gingerbread house.