Spooky Gingerbread

OK, so I informed you about the Haunted Gingerbread House Challenge, which sounds like lots of fun. I had a request for a gingerbread recipe - not the cake kind but the house kind. So, if you are thinking of getting in on the action, here is a recipe that will do the trick for you. What a treat!

The gingerbread house pictured is obiously over the top, so don't get nervous!

Gingerbread House Dough

Cream together:
1 C shortening
2 C brown sugar (part white is OK)
1 C molasses

Sift:
9 C flour (or more - dough should not be sticky)
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cloves
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking soda

Make a template from paper for all of the pieces of your house.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternating with 1 scant cup of hot water. Mix well. Roll the dough onto a foil lined cookie sheet. Roll evenly to about 1/4" thickness - the roof should be rolled out a little thinner or it will be too heavy.

Lay your template pieces on the dough and cut around each one. Remove the excess dough. It may take several cookie sheets to get this done. Cut out doors and windows but do not remove before baking.

Chill on the cookie sheet in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes before baking. Bake until well done, 15-20 minutes. While still hot, re-trace with a sharp knife the doors and windows. Remove them to cool. You can cut the windows in half to make them into shutters. Straighten any crooked edges on your pieces while the gingerbread is still hot.

Assemble and decorate!