GINGERBREAD HOUSE MUFFINS RECIPES

Steps:

• Gingerbread House: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm. 
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 
• Cut out the following paper patterns for the gingerbread house template: Two rectangles, 3 by 5 inches, to make the front and back of the house. Two rectangles, 3 by 5 1/2 inches for the roof. Two pieces for the ends of the house, 3 inches wide at the base, 3 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 5 1/2 inches from the bottom. Four smaller rectangles, 1 1/2 by 1 inch for the roof and sides of the entryway. And one piece, 2 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 2 1/2 inches from the bottom for the front of the entryway. 
• Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet. Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place. 
• Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm. 
• Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife. Leave to cool on baking sheet. 
• Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired. Let dry until hardened. 
• Glue sides, front and back of house together at corners using royal icing. Place an object against the pieces to prop up until icing is dry (it only takes a few minutes). 
• Glue the two roof pieces to the pitched roofline of the house. Then, similarly, glue the sides and roof of the entryway together with icing. Attach the entryway to the front of the house. 
• Continue decorating the house, gluing on gumdrops, licorice and peppermint, as desired.
• Mix all of the ingredients together using an electric hand mixer, until the icing is smooth and thin enough to be pressed through a pastry bag with a writing tip. Add more lemon juice, if necessary.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line standard size muffin tin with paper liners.
• Make Muffins: In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, molasses, vegetable oil, egg, and hot water until smooth. Add liquid mixture to dry mixture and whisk until no dry pockets of flour remain. Divide batter among 10 of the lined muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake until the center of the muffins springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
• Make Frosting: Beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon and mix on low until combined. Increase speed to medium high and beat until lightened and fluffy. Transfer Frosting to a piping bag with a star tip and pipe small swirls in the center of each crater on the top of each muffin.