Ingredients

• 1 cup flour 

• ½ tbsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

• ½ tsp ground ginger

• ½ tsp salt 

• 3 tbsp brown sugar 

• ¼ cup unsalted butter; softened 

• 1 egg yolk 

• 3 tbsp molasses 

• ½ tsp vanilla 

• Royal icing

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, ground ginger, and salt. Set aside. 

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the butter and sugar. Cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until incorporated.

3. Add the egg and combine on low speed. 

4. Add the vanilla and molasses and combine on medium speed until smooth and incorporated. 

5. Add the flour mixture ¼ cup at a time, combining between each addition. 

6. Remove the dough from the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour. 

7. On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a ¼ inch thick rectangle. Cut out 8-12 house shapes and place them on a backing sheet lined with parchment paper. They will not spread much but try to have about an inch in between them just to be safe. 

8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are crisp and golden brown. Let them cool in the pan for 1o minutes then transfer them to a cooling rack and cool for an additional 25 minutes. 

9. Pipe windows and doors or any other design you desire using the royal icing. Serve with a cold glass of milk or eggnog!