To make frosting: Combine all frosting ingredients and beat for 5 minutes. Add more powdered sugar if a thicker consistency is desired. Use immediately, stirring often while working with frosting. Between assembly sessions, cover entire surface of frosting with plastic wrap, pressing wrap onto surface so frosting won’t dry out. Store at room temperature.

To make a Gingerbread House: Prepare Gingerbread Cookie recipe as directed. After rolling out, use the accompanying patterns and cut out two of each piece. Place the house pieces on non-stick cookie sheets and bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes until slightly browned at edges. Let cool completely. You should have two pieces for the front and back of the house, two small rectangles for the sides, and two large rectangles for the roof.

Use a large piece of wood or heavy cardboard for the base. To assemble the house, use the icing to attach the side pieces to the front and back sections of the house. Once those pieces are assembled, reinforce the joints with more icing on the inside of the structure. Let the structure dry for an hour. Tip: Use canned goods to support the pieces upright as they dry.

Secure the roof pieces to the body of the house, generously using frosting along the top edges of the structure and the roof seam. Again, using canned goods as supports, allow the undecorated house to dry overnight. Check to make sure iced roof doesn’t slide off.

The next day, decorate your house using Royal Frosting and assorted candies. Try licorice ropes, cinnamon imperials, gumdrops, chocolates, and more. For example, Necco wafers can be attached to the roof like shingles with a row of gumdrops along the top. For window and door outlines, use a cake decorating bag and tip (or a sealed plastic sandwich bag with one small corner snipped off) to pipe Royal Frosting onto the sides and the front and back of the house. The base can be adorned with frosting or coconut for snow. The only limit is your imagination!

Click here for a handy pattern for the side walls and roof of house.