Mom’s Old-Fashioned Gingerbread House 1950’s

Ingredients

• 3½ cups sifted flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup shortening (Crisco)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup molasses

Directions

1. Cream shortening and sugar until light. Add egg and molasses, mix well.
2. Blend in dry ingredients a little at a time.
3. Chill dough at least 1 hour — or set outside if it’s cold enough!
4. Roll out on a floured board ¼ inch thick.
5. Cut shapes for the house using cardboard patterns.
6. Bake at 350°F about 12–15 minutes, until firm and lightly browned.
7. Cool on racks.

Icing “Glue”

• 2 egg whites
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ½ tsp cream of tartar
  Beat until stiff and glossy. Keep covered with a damp cloth while working so it doesn’t dry out.

Decorations

• Necco wafers (roof shingles)
• Red hots (trim)
• Candy canes (door frame)
• Spearmint leaves, orange slices (bushes)
• Marshmallows (snowmen)
• Lifesavers melted for windows
• Coconut flakes & powdered sugar (snow)

Mom’s Note:
“Let the walls dry good before putting the roof on — don’t rush it, or it’ll cave in! Looks pretty on the kitchen table with a candle behind it.”

Clip art Purchased at: Etsy!