Supplies

Gingerbread House

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup molasses
  • 2 eggs
  • 6 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground clove
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Royal Icing for Gingerbread House

  • 7 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/3 cup water, as needed

Steps

Gingerbread House

  1. In large bowl, mix dry ingredients and set aside.
  2. In standing mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Beat in molasses and egg, scraping sides to make sure it's mixed well.
  4. Add dry ingredients in 3-4 batches.
  5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours before baking.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  7. Lightly flour surface and cover dough in plastic wrap or parchment paper and roll out to a little less than 1/4 inch.
  8. Cut out desired dimensions. (Tip: cut pieces out of cardboard first to get your desired sizes, then use the cardboard as a guide for the gingerbread.)
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on size.
  10. Assemble gingerbread house on a piece of cardboard, using royal icing as glue. Decorate with candies as desired.

Royal Icing for Gingerbread House

  1. Beat egg whites until fluffy.
  2. In standing mixer, mix ingredients slowly, adding more or less water for desired consistency.
  3. Beat for about 10 minutes. Icing is done when peaks form.