Cream together the butter and sugar in an electric stand mixer (or with a hand held mixer in a large bowl) until creamy.

Add the vanilla and egg and continue to mix on low or medium until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.

Add the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder to the mixer. Mix on low (using a shield if the machine has one to keep the cocoa dust to a minimum). Continue on low until just combined.

Knead by hand until rolling out consistency, adding flour by the tablespoon if too sticky.

Roll out on a floured board or on the cookie sheet lined with parchment -my preferred method) until 1/4 " thick.

Using cookie cutters (or free hand if that is more your thing) Cut out house shapes leaving all edges pieces in place (this will allow for a more square shape during baking).

Bake at 350 degrees 15 -20 minutes depending on oven and thickness of dough.

Immediately after removing from oven carefully recut all the shapes using the previous cookie cutters or a sharp paring knife.

Allow to cool. Then carefully remove pieces.

With royal icing in a piping bag, assemble the house. Or alternately allow little hands to decorate each section separately first.

Decorate with royal icing and peanut butter mini Reese's Pieces as you see fit.