Successful gingerbread houses

Tips & tricks for successful gingerbread houses

Ingredients:

• Gingerbread
• 1 lb. Butter
• 12 oz. Brown Sugar
• 1 lb. Molasses
• 3 lbs. 8oz. All Purpose Flour
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cloves
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 11 oz. Cold Water

Cream butter, brown sugar, spices, and salt until light and fluffy. Add and blend molasses. Add flour and mix to combine.

Add cold water and blend. Refrigerate to set. Bake at 350 degrees until done—approximately 15-20 minutes.

Royal Icing

• 1 lb. Powered Sugar
• 2 Egg Whites
• 1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar

Add egg whites to sugar and cream of tartar. Beat on high for 3-5 minutes until snow-white and fluffy. Keep covered with a damp towel to retain moisture and avoid hardening.

Royal icing is the best choice for assembling and decorating gingerbread houses. Most other icings contain shortening or butter that will eventually soak into the gingerbread and could cause your house to soften and collapse.