Gingerbread House

total time:: Approximately 4 hours
other time:: Overnight for dough to cool, and overnight for house to set before decorating

Makes 1 house

The Dodges set the bar high when it comes to Christmas gingerbread houses! These houses come equipped with candy stained glass windows and even electricity!

ingredients

Gingerbread House Parts

4 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light molasses
1 egg

directions

1
Sift flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in an extra large bowl. Beat the shortening with sugar until fluffy and light in a large bowl. Beat in the molasses and egg. Stir in the flour mixture to make a stiff dough, using all the flour. Unless you have a heavy duty mixer, it is best to mix the flour by hand after the first two cups. Chill tightly covered for several hours or overnight until firm enough to roll.
2
Roll out between 2 sheets of waxed paper and following the pattern, cut out the cookies before removing the wax paper. Carefully transfer to the cookie sheet, to retain perfect shape. Once you have done this do not attempt to move them again or they will break. Bake in oven at 300 degrees for 15 mniutes until done but not browned. Remove to wire rack to cool. Do not allow cookies to become damp. Also, be sure cookies do not touch each other when baking.
3
For candy windows use Jolly Rancher’s candies broken into small pieces. Seperate candies by color into zip lock bags, and them break into chunks with a meat mallet. Place candy pieces into window openings on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place back into oven (300 degrees) for approximately 3 mniutes, watch carefully to avoid bubbles. Let cool completely on cookie sheet before carefully removing.