First Lady Pat Nixon’s Gingerbread House

by Donna Sanders | Nov 25, 2023

First Lady Pat Nixon’s Gingerbread House Recipe

First Lady Pat Nixon

Old-fashioned gingerbread is a perfect treat for the holidays. The main ingredients ginger and molasses provide a warm feeling with a slightly spicy kick.

This gingerbread recipe by First Lady Pat Nixon is preserved in the collection of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.

(Editor's note: I found this recipe in the 2022 official Christmas White House ornament box, it even smelled like gingerbread. It does not contain directions for assembling the house - hello google)

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Course Baked Goods, Desserts

Cuisine American, World Cuisine

Servings people

Equipment

assorted candies, cookies, and powdered sugar for decorating
large baking sheet

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 cup brown sugar. packed
8 ounces shortening
4 eggs, slightly beaten
3 tablespoons molasses
1½ teaspoons salt
1½ teaspoons baking soda, dissolved in a small amount of water
3 cups cake flour
1½ teaspoons ginger
1½ teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

Prepare The Dough

In a bowl, cream together 2 cups sugar, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, and 8 ounces shortening.
Add 4 slightly beaten eggs, 3 tablespoons molasses, 1½ teaspoons salt, and 1½ teaspoons dissolved baking soda. Combine well.
In a separate bowl, sift together 3 cups flour, 1½ teaspoons ginger, and 1½ teaspoon cinnamon. Combine with the sugar mixture.
Refrigerate dough for several hours.

To Bake

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Spread dough onto a baking sheet. Bake for approximately 25 minutes.

Note: Before using to build a house, the gingerbread should be completely cold. It is best to wait one day. Decorate your house with cookies, hard candies, and powdered sugar. Use your imagination and dimensions for your house.

Have Fun And Enjoy!

About the Author

From 1969 - 1974 Pat Nixon served as the First Lady of the United States. Her devotion to her position is hallmarked by her "passion for the people." Her projects during her time as First Lady were vast. She was dedicated to community service, accessibility, historic preservation, and diplomacy. As the First Lady she supported many charitable organizations including the American Red Cross, the Girl Scouts, and the American Cancer Society. As First Lady she traveled around the world by herself and her trips to Africa and South America earned her the title of "Madam Ambassador."