Cute Gingerbread Houses

For the first time, we decided to make our own gingerbread houses (using graham crackers) and homemade icing.  The girls each made their own miniature houses so that they could lay claim to all the "good stuff" they chose to put on them (as well as handle and touch) so that the "germ sharing" could be somewhat contained.  Lick all you want!

I wanted to try and find a recipe for icing that was actually edible.  Most gingerbread houses use a Royal Icing that includes raw egg whites to give it the "glue" factor.  However, this icing is not recommended for consumption.  Who builds a gingerbread house and doesn't enjoy snacking on it after?  After researching various recipes on the internet, I found one that looked tastey and edible.  Here is the recipe below:

Gingerbread House Icing

1/2 cup white shortening
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond extract
3-4 Tbs. milk/hot water
Food coloring (if desired)

Beat shortening and flavoring 1 minute, then slowly add 1/2 the sugar, mixing well.   Add 1/2 of the milk/water and mix well.  Gradually, add the rest of the sugar and just enough liquid to reach desired consistency, whether piping or spreading.  Stir in food coloring.

Surprisingly, the icing held up pretty good, but then again, we were making small houses.  Only one out of the four had a hard time keeping the roof up.  Even so, the girls had a fun time and they turned out darling.  This will definitely become a new family tradition each Christmas.  'Tis the Season to make Gingerbread Houses.