Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread

2/3 cup dark molasses

1 egg

1/2 cup oil

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. cloves

2 3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt

3 tsp. baking powder

Mix all ingredients thoroughly.  Generously grease cookie sheet. roll dough onto cookie sheet. Use wax paper on top. Bake on cookie sheet at 300 degrees for 20-30 mins.  Place pattern on hot bread and cut immediately.  Lift out carefully and place on cooling rack. Bread should be very hard when cooled. The roof will break off if dough is not thoroughly baked (can be placed back in oven for 5 or 10 mins if needed.) Use royal icing to "glue" pieces of house in place.

Royal Icing

3 egg whites

1/2 tsp. cream of tarter

1 lb. powdered sugar

Mix for 10 minutes.