Gingerbread House Dough & Icing - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Gingerbread House
3/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons ginger
2 teaspoons ginger
2 tablespoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup unsalted butter, chopped into cubes
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, beaten
5 1/2 cups plus flour
Royal Icing
3 egg whites (or use alternative in instructions)
1 pinch cream of tartar
1 lb powdered sugar

Preparation

Bring sugar, molasses, ginger and cinnamon to a boil in a large saucepan. Add baking soda (it will boil up). Place chopped butter in the bottom of a large mixing bowl and pour the molasses mixture on top. Mix to combine and stir in beaten egg. Gradually add flour. Knead until thoroughly combined, adding additional flour to obtain a stiff dough as needed. Divide in two. Form into rectangle-shaped mounds and cover with plastic wrap and chill.
Roll dough into 1/4 inch thick rectangles according to the size you need for the templates. Cut out shapes and transfer to lined or prepared or non-stick baking sheets. Bake in a moderate oven 325\u00b0F for approximately 20 minutes or until the dough turns a uniform dark golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely before removing from sheet pan.
Royal Icing: Place all ingredients in clean mixing bowl. Using whisk attachment combine ingredients on low speed. Increase speed to high and whip until mixture is stiff, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from mixer. (Hand held mixer will take few minute longer).
Remove 3/4 of the mixture to another bowl and cover bowl with a damp towel until you are ready to use icing, or icing will dry and a crust will form. Replace mixer on machine, and on low speed, add additional powdered sugar for \"cement\" used to hold walls up.
Note: If worried about raw egg whites, use meringue powder available at decorating supply and specialty food stores. Replace each egg white with 1 tablespoon meringue powder and 2 tablespoons warm water. Proceed with recipe.
Icing tip: Caramelize about 1/2-1 cup of sugar use as \"superglue\" to construct the house. Dries fast and hard. Use the royal icing to cover up the seams and to stick on the candy.