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Christmas Gingerbread House

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1 1/2 cups dark molasses
  • 2/3 cup cold water
  • 7 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Frosting and Decorations

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Food colours if desired

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and water with a spoon or electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients. Then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease cookie sheet lightly with shortening or cooking spray. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough with floured gingerbread cutter or other shaped cutter. On a cookie sheet, place cut outs about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched. Then immediately remove from the cookie sheet onto a cooling rack. Cool for about 30 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla and half-and-half cream until frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add food colours as desired. Frost cookies, decorate with raisins, chocolate chips and candies.