Gingerbread House Facades

Ingredients

• 3  cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
• 2  teaspoons ground ginger
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1/2  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4  teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4  teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2  cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2  cup packed light brown sugar
• 1  large egg
• 1/2  cup unsulfured molasses
• 1  Gingerbread House Facade template
• 1  cup Royal Icing (see recipe)
•   4 to 5 ounces assorted candy

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves and pepper; set aside.

2. In large mixer bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg and molasses until combined. Add flour mixture; beat until a dough forms. Halve dough, wrap in plastic wrap, flatten into disks and chill until firm, about 45 minutes.

3. Heat oven to 350¿¿F and place rack in center. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured work surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using template and a small knife, cut out houses and transfer to prepared sheets. Bake until set, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and let cool completely.

4. Transfer 1 cup icing to a decorating bag fitted with a small plain tip (tip number 3). Secure end of bag with a rubber band, squeezing out air. Decorate fa¿¿ades with icing and candy. (When not using bag, place, tip side down, in a tall glass with a damp paper towel in the bottom so icing doesn't harden in tip.)

Template for house: http://www.lhj.com/lhj/slideshow/slideShow.jhtml?slideid=/templatedata/lhj/slideshow/data/1195670187951.xml&page=6