Gingerbread

This recipe comes from my lovely friend Mindy's mom. Where she got it from, I really couldn't tell you. They've been making gingerbread houses for years and years, and this is their tried and true method. This is the recipe I have been using the past couple of years, and we love it. The kids (and others) love to eat the scraps, so very little goes to waste. Also I love how my house smells on days I bake gingerbread.

Gingerbread Houses

1 c. shortening

2 c. brown sugar

1 c. dark molasses

1 c. hot water

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add molasses and blend. Then add hot water and mix.

about 7 cups flour

1 tsp ground cloves

2 tsp ginger

2 tsp soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

Blend 2 cups of the flour with the soda, cloves, ginger, and salt, and add to other mixture and blend. Add the rest of the flour at one cup intervals. The recipe calls for "about 7 cups" because you don't really need to measure. Just add flour until the dough isn't sticky. If you add too much, it will be tough and difficult to work with, but still do-able.

Divide the dough in half and press into bottom of two cookie sheets. Roll out to about 1/4 " thickness. I use a marble rolling pin, or a smooth glass works just as well, but you want to make sure the dough is as smooth and even as possible before you put it in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Let cool for about 5-10 minutes, then using very sharp knife, trace house pattern into gingerbread, and remove pieces to cool. Construction of houses works best when pieces are at least a day old.

Each batch makes about 2 houses.

Royal Frosting

5 egg whites

1 tsp. cream of tartar

2 lb. powdered sugar

Beat until light and fluffy.

Tip- take the roof pieces and glue (frosting) them together ahead of time with a bent in half 3x5 card so the roof stays together easier.

The pattern comes from a standard sheet of paper- since the pattern overlaps, print it out twice to cut out the pieces. I usually cut out a door for the front of the house, but leave opt to not have a back door. You can make the pattern as big or as small as you choose. Or you can e-mail me, or leave a comment and I can e-mail it to you, or get it to you some other way.