Gingerbread

Gingerbread
1/2 c shortening
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 c molasses
1 egg
1 TBSP vinegar
2 1/2 c flour

In a mixing bowl beat shortening for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Beat until combined. Beat in molasses, egg, and vinegar until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer, then stir in remaining flour with wooden spoon. Cover and chill for 3 hours. After chilled, roll out with a little bit of flour and bake on greased cookie sheet at 375 for 5-6 minutes for cookies (8-10 minutes for gingerbread house pieces so they are harder).

This is an old BetterHomes & Gardens recipe that my family has used for years. I actually doubled the recipe so I would have enough to make 2 gingerbread houses, plus a bunch of cookies. For the gingerbread houses we cut a pattern out of paper and then placed the pattern on the rolled out dough and cut it with a knife. We also cheated and used hot glue to glue the houses together (because the kids won't eat the house, they just eat the candy). But you could also use a syrup/glue made from sugar and water (I think there is a recipe on Martha Stewart.com)