Gingerbread House

INGREDIENTS

• 1 teaspoon almond extract, vanilla or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/4 cup light molasses or dark corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 to 2 large egg whites, or substitute 4 teaspoons packaged egg whites and 1/4 cup water
• Gumdrops, licorice and peppermint, as desired
• 1 pound (3-3/4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Melted white chocolate or Royal Icing (recipe follows)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves