Cookie dough:

1. In a bowl mix together all the dry ingredients, flour, baking soda, salt, and spices (sift them together if possible).
2. In a large bowl, place the chopped and softened butter with the brown sugar and beat with an electric whisk or in a stand mixer with a flat spatula for 2 to 3 minutes until creamy and smooth.
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses and mix again for a good minute to incorporate.
4. Add the dry ingredients and mix with a mixer or by hand until you have a smooth and homogeneous dough.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Cut out the cookies 

1. Print the template for the gingerbread house on cardboard and cut it out with scissors.
2. Roll out the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface or between 2 sheets of parchment paper and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
3. Cut out the dough using the template and a small dough knife (count 6 pieces (2 times each piece of paper to make one house)
4. Place the dough pieces on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and put it back in the freezer while the oven is preheating.

Baking 

1. Preheat the oven to 347°F / 170°C and bake the cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes until they are a little puffy and golden.
2. Let them cool a little before moving them to a cooling rack.

Royal icing

1. Place the sifted powdered sugar in a large container with the water.
2. Whip with an electric mixer for 5 minutes until you have a thick, fluid icing. (If the icing seems too runny add more powdered sugar or if it is too thick add more water)
3. Fill a piping bag with the icing and cut a tiny opening.

Assembly 

1. Take the 6 pieces needed to make a house and start by applying icing to both sides of the house.
2. Then glue the two sides of the house together and press them together.
3. Add icing to the top of the house and glue the roof on.
4. Let dry for 20 minutes before decorating the houses with the remaining royal icing.
5. Decorate immediately with your decorations, sugar beads etc.
6. And let the houses dry completely at room temperature for 1 hour before enjoying.