Ingredients

• 5 cups Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour plus more for dusting and rolling, as needed
• OR Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Ground Ginger
• ½ tsp Cloves
• ¼ tsp Nutmeg
• ¾ tsp Baking Soda
• ½ tsp Baking Powder
• ½ tsp Salt
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 ¼ cups Brown Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 cup Molasses

• 3 oz pasteurized liquid Egg Whites, or three large Egg Whites
• 4–6 cups Powdered Sugar

• Sparkling Sugar and Candy, as desired

Instructions

1. Combine flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until well mixed. Add egg and molasses and mix well, then add dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms. Remove from bowl, wrap in plastic and chill 2–3 hours overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface ¼-inch thick (if using Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, roll between two sheets of parchment paper, then remove top layer and proceed). Cut out with gingerbread house cookie cutters of choice and place on prepared baking pan at least 1 inch apart.
3. Bake until edges are very lightly browned, 15–20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and let cool completely. For extra stability, especially if building a larger gingerbread house, let sit out at least 24 hours to dry and become rigid.

1. For thin décor icing, combine egg whites and 4 cups powdered sugar. Whip until well combined. Divide in half.
2. For thick construction icing, add additional powdered sugar to half of icing until it holds its shape when whipped, stiff yet still soft enough to move smoothly through piping tip (about 1 cup usually does the trick).
3. Place thick icing in a piping bag fitted with a ¼–½-inch round tip. Take your gingerbread house base (cardboard works well and blends with the color of the gingerbread) and pipe a thick line for the first wall of the house. Insert the first wall (icing should be thick enough to hold it temporarily without your hand), then pipe a perpendicular line for the second wall.
4. Take your second wall and pipe up the side, where it will meet the first wall, and press into the icing on the board. Continue with the other two walls, working counterclockwise.
5. Let sit for 1 hour, then use icing to attach the roof and other décor. Use thin icing to decorate the house and attach candy as desired!