6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsulfured molasses
Royal icing
4 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 cup water
1 pound powdered sugar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon corn syrup
A few drops of any extract, if desired