In a large mixing bowl cream butter and brown sugar.
Add dark molasses. Mix until completely blended.
Mix dry ingredients together. Add to butter mixture 1/3 at a time, alternating with the water.
Blend well. Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before rolling or baking.
When you're ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F. Grease cookie sheets. Use lots of flour while rolling out dough on a generously floured surface 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
Cut into shapes. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely before decorating.
Mix together sugar, milk and vanilla to form a smooth icing. It should be thick but pourable. Add more milk if needed so that it flows. Pour into a condiment bottle, hand to your kids and let them go to town with the icing! Add candy or sprinkles on top if desired.
Recipe credit to Disney at Home's Disneyland Gingerbread Recipe
Icing credit (and brilliant frosting hack) to The Kitchn's Gingerbread Cookies recipe