Mix dry ingredients

Beat shortening, sugar, eggs and molasses until well combined then beat in dry ingredients

Knead dough on working board then divide into two portions

Flatten each portion into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 h

Prepare a design, trace/draw on hard paper, cut. This will be your template.

Take out a dough from fridge and roll flat between two parchment paper.

Place your template on dough, cut and place dough on baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper

Bake on 325 F for 12-15 mins until golden and firm to the touch

Transfer to rack and let cool completely

Repeat step for the other disk, for other pieces needed.

Mix marshmallow with water, melt in microwave in 30 seconds interval until totally melted

Add in icing sugar, stir

Dump on greased working board and knead until elastic and smooth, wrap with plastic cling and let rest overnight at room temperature before using

Mix all ingredients in a pot and stir over medium heat continuously until clay like consistency (like mashed potatoes).

Take off from heat and cover with damp towel until cool enough to knead.

Knead and mold/cut as you pleased

Beat egg whites and extract until frothy then beat in icing sugar gradually until well combined and shiny, on low speed

Turn up speed to high and beat until firm peaks

Store in rubbermaid or similar container, do not expose to air or it will be dry

To glue pieces, either building itself or decoration, you will need support. Use glasses, vases, boxes, etc.

Gingerbread pieces/cookies for gingerbread house requires a week at least to firm up after baked, dried up after being glued. This will resulted in strong standing building. Some people make their gingerbread house a month or two in advance even.

For window, I glued gelatin sheet, so they are see through, instead melting candies.

On the inside window pane, the top parts, I sticky-taped a battery operated light on each. And on these windows, I showcased tiered cakes and pastries. The lights added extra touch for sure IMO!

And because this is a dollhouse type gingerbread house, the wall on the back is open, thus I glued all decorations before adding roof.

Start decorating!

Glue roof to structures with royal icing. Spread royal icing on board and cover with coconut. Glue outside decorations same as inside, with royal icing that is. Make royal icing drizzled here and there as snow. Glue garland on roof also with royal icing. I also added a little cotton on the outside fire place (chimney) to create a "smoke".

Basically decorate as you wish and have fun :)