Gingerbread House Recipe
By: Anonymous
Published: Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 12:56am

Ingredients




8 ounces butter - (2 sticks)
3/4 cup brown sugar - (firmly packed)
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup molasses
5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cold water
2 cups powdered sugar, 10X
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 egg whites
10 Necco Wafer rolls possibly more
depending on number of houses
2 pounds chocolate covered raisins
1 pound hard candies in assorted colors
1 pound cinnamon red hots
2 bag mini-malted milkballs, coated assorte
Assorted Christmas candies, your choice

Preparation

1 In a mixing bowl, on medium speed, cream together the butter, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Add the molasses, mixing until incorporated. Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix each cup until just combined. With the mixer running, slowly add the water. Spread the dough out on a sheet pan, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you"re ready to roll it out (ideally overnight, three hours minimum). 2 Keep gingerbread cool while working with it. Dust with flour to avoid sticking. Brush away excess flour after cutting. 3 Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Apply even pressure on rolling pin to avoid variance in thickness. Cut out house pieces using your cardboard templates. A dough wheel works best. Use a paring knife for corners. 4 Bake pieces in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until dough is set well. Crisp gingerbread is a must for a lasting structure. Allow pieces to cool completely before assembly - overnight is ideal. If pans are not level transfer warm pieces carefully onto the counter surface so they set completely flat. 5 For the Royal Icing: In the bowl of a mixer, blend the above ingredients together and mix on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Keep covered with a damp towel to prevent a crust from forming on the icing. 6 Assembly Of Gingerbread Houses: Windows should be decorated before assembly. Colored flow icing, crushed candies, melted leaf gelatin, marzipan, etc. 7 Mix royal icing and keep covered with a damp towel. Assemble house on a 12-inch round base of your choice. Start with a front piece and a side piece using royal icing liberally on the inside. The 2 pieces should stand without assistance. Assemble remaining pieces in the same fashion. Roof pieces may need support to counteract gravity, sugar boxes, soda cans work well. 8 Time to decorate your house. Necco wafers make excellent roof shingles. Chocolate covered raisins will build a chimney. Red hots, jelly beans, chocolate chips, gummi bears - use your imagination in the candy aisle. 9 Finish with royal icing and dust with snow - donut sugar looks best.