Method

• 1.
  Stir the butter, sugar and honey in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
• 2.
  Combine the butter mixture and egg in a large bowl. Add the combined flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and bicarbonate of soda. Stir until well combined.
• 3.
  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Shape into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 1 hour to rest. Preheat oven to 180C.
• 4.
  Divide the dough into 4 portions. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out 1 portion of dough on a large sheet of non-stick baking paper until 5mm thick.
• 5.
  Use the front template (see Notes) to cut the shape from dough. Use a 4.5cm round cutter to cut a disc to make a window. Cut a cross from disc and place in window.
• 6.
  Slide the paper with the dough onto a baking tray. Fill the window gaps with the crushed boiled lollies. Cut out a rectangle for the door. Set the door aside.
• 7.
  Bake for 10 minutes or until golden, adding the door to the tray halfway through cooking. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
• 8.
  Repeat with remaining dough portions to cut out and bake a back wall, 2 side walls, 2 roof pieces and 2 chimney pieces, re-rolling excess dough as necessary.
• 9.
  Make the icing. Transfer to a piping bag with a 2mm nozzle. Decorate all the pieces. Set aside to set. Use icing to join chimney pieces together.
• 10.
  Melt half the chocolate following packet directions. Cool slightly. Spoon into a small sealable plastic bag. Cut one corner to make a small hole.
• 11.
  Pipe chocolate along edge of side wall. Attach to back of front wall. Place on a cake board. Use a square cake pan for support. Set aside to set.
• 12.
  Remove the cake pan and repeat with remaining walls, reheating the chocolate if necessary as you go. Set aside for 10 minutes to set.
• 13.
  Pipe chocolate along top edges of one side of house. Attach one roof piece. Hold for 3-4 minutes to set. Repeat with remaining roof piece.
• 14.
  Set the house aside to set. Pipe chocolate onto the base of the freckles. Attach, overlapping slightly, to cover one side of roof completely.
• 15.
  Repeat on the other side of roof, attaching the chimney and freckles. Pipe chocolate on one side of the door opening. Attach the door to the house.
• 16.
  Pipe remaining icing onto front eaves of roof and on top of the chimney. Dust entire house with icing sugar to create a snowy effect.