Gingerbread House... Kids Decor

Every year my boys love to decorate a Gingerbread house.  I think they are fun for them to do and it keeps them out of trouble.  Here is a simple recipe for the 'dough' and the 'glue' we use.  Hope you all have time to make one with the kids in your life!

Dough

1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup black strap molasses
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
splash of water if dry

Method

1)  Cream together butter and sugar.  Add the molasses and mix well.
2)  Mix the dry ingredients together.  With a mixer slowly add the dry ingredients to the molasses mixture.  If the dough becomes to dry add a little water to get it to stick.  Work the dough to a ball and refrigerate until chilled, 1 hour or so.
3)  Next, roll dough out with a light sprinkle of flour on a board and cut into desired shapes.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.

'Glue'

2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
2 large egg whites
Food coloring (your choice)

Method

Mix the egg whites and confectioners' sugar together with an electric mixture until fluffy and light.  Divide the 'glue' into seperate containers and mix desired colors. Use this both to hold the house together and to decorate the house and gingerbread men/women!

The Gingerbread man is too funny (he must be a HOT head) and the logs outside the 'front door' were made from leftover Halloween Candy...LOVE IT!