Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 to 4 1/2 cups flour

Heat shortening, sugar and molasses on stove. Remove from heat and stir in spices and flour, 1 cup at a time. You might need to use a mixer to add flour, as dough becomes stiff. Roll and cut while still warm. If dough becomes crumbly, heat for about 10 seconds, covered, in microwave. Bake at 375 degrees for 6-12 minutes. — Scott Blackerby
Suggested candies and decorations:
Small looped pretzels for fence
Small gumdrops for lights along the front of the house and along the pathway
4 candy canes for corner posts of the house (this also helps brace the house)
Silver dragees (also known as silvers) for doorways and flower centers
Candy corn for the roof
Life Savers
Red Hots

Snow Icing

6 egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 2-pound package powdered sugar

Directions

Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Add cream of tartar and mix well. Slowly add powdered sugar and continue beating to stiff peaks. Keep covered until use so it doesn't dry out.