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1
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth.
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2
Blend in the flour and cream to make a stiff dough.
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3
Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.
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4
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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5
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 to 1/16-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
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6
(The thinner you roll the dough, the crispier the cookies will be).
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7
Place about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
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8
Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned.
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9
Slide cookies and parchment off the baking sheet onto the countertop to cool.
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10
Dip cooled cookies into melted white chocolate to decorate, or decorate with Royal Icing.
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11
Mix all of the ingredients together using an electric hand mixer, until the icing is smooth and thin enough to be pressed through a pastry bag with a writing tip.
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12
Add more lemon juice, if necessary.
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13
Gingerbread House/Box: Cut paper patterns for the gingerbread house: Five rectangles, 3 by 5 inches, to make the floor, walls and roof of the house, and two pieces for the ends of the house, 3 inches wide at the base, 3 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 5 1/2 inches from the bottom.
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14
Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet.
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15
Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough.
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16
With a sharp, straight edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place.
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17
Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm.
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18
Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife.
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19
Leave to cool on baking sheet.
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20
Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired.
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21
Let dry until hardened.
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22
Glue sides of house to base and at corners using royal icing.
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23
Place an object against the pieces to prop up until icing is dry (it only takes a few minutes).
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24
Glue two pieces together to make the roof of the house, but do not attach roof to the house.
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25
(Fill house with cookies, then place roof on top).
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26
Yield: One recipe of dough makes one house
