gingerbread house

How To Make gingerbread house

• 1

  Pour melted shortening into mixing bowl and cool slightly; add sugar and syrup, blending well.
• 2

  Add eggs, mixing all until smooth and creamy.
• 3

  Put salt, baking soda and spices into mixture and begin to add flour, just a little at a time--DON\'T HURRY THIS STEP!
• 4

  Continue adding as much flour as the dough will absorb.
• 5

  Bake house pieces at 375 degrees for 5-8 minutes.
• 6

  Hints: Make permenant pattern pieces of mylar or other plastic sheet.
• 7

  To roll out: Use heavy duty foil (splash a few drops of water under it so it will stay stationary), roll the dough out, cut into desired shapes that are 1\" apart.
• 8

  Remove the excess dough.
• 9

  Place the foil holding the pieces to bake on a cardboard, place in oven and REMOVE THE CARDBOARD BEFORE SHUTTING OVEN DOOR.
• 10

  If pieces bake together, cut apart immedietely after removing from oven.
• 11

  Windows: Must be cut before baking.
• 12

  Can add crushed hard candy for \"glass\".
• 13

  To Assemble: Use royal icing: 1 1/2 cup warm water, 12 tablespoons meringue powder, 4 pounds powdered sugar.
• 14

  Beat the water and meringue powder until frothy and add as much confectioners sugar as necessary.
• 15

  Do not make icing stiff or house will not hold together as long.
• 16

  Using #5 tip, squeeze out icing on both sides of back of house.
• 17

  Stand it up and add sides.
• 18

  Prop with cans of soup, ect., if it doesn\'t stay firmly together.
• 19

  Place icing on ends of standing sides and add house front.
• 20

  Let dry for 10-15 minutes, then add roof and chimney.
• 21

  Decorate with desired candies using royal icing to place decorations on.
• 22

  Let dry and store covered away from dust. Makes 2-3 medium-sized houses.
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