Ingredients
Dough
3 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
2 tsp ground ginger
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
½ cup molasses
1 large egg
Royal Icing (Edible “Glue”)
Ingredients
2 egg whites or 3 tbsp meringue powder + 5 tbsp water
4 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
Cut in the butter
Work the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs.
Add wet ingredients
Mix in molasses and egg. Stir until dough forms.
(If it feels dry, add 1 tablespoon water at a time.)
Chill the dough
Divide into 2 disks, wrap in plastic, and chill at least 1 hour (or overnight). This helps prevent spreading.
Roll & cut
Roll dough ¼ inch thick directly on parchment paper.
Cut your house pieces using templates.
Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Bake 12–15 minutes until edges are firm and lightly darkened.
Flatten while hot
Immediately after baking, place a flat pan or baking sheet gently on top for 30 seconds to keep pieces flat.
Cool completely
Let pieces cool fully before building—they harden more as they cool.
Icing directions
Beat egg whites (or meringue mixture) until foamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar until thick and stiff.
Keep covered when not using—it dries fast.