gingerbread house

How To Make gingerbread house

• Step 1
  Pour melted shortening into mixing bowl and cool slightly; add sugar and syrup, blending well.
• Step 2
  Add eggs, mixing all until smooth and creamy.
• Step 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!
• Step 4
  Continue adding as much flour as the dough will absorb.
• Step 5
  Bake house pieces at 375 degrees for 5-8 minutes.
• Step 6
  Hints: Make permenant pattern pieces of mylar or other plastic sheet.
• Step 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.
• Step 8
  Remove the excess dough.
• Step 9
  Place the foil holding the pieces to bake on a cardboard, place in oven and REMOVE THE CARDBOARD BEFORE SHUTTING OVEN DOOR.
• Step 10
  If pieces bake together, cut apart immedietely after removing from oven.
• Step 11
  Windows: Must be cut before baking.
• Step 12
  Can add crushed hard candy for \"glass\".
• Step 13
  To Assemble: Use royal icing: 1 1/2 cup warm water, 12 tablespoons meringue powder, 4 pounds powdered sugar.
• Step 14
  Beat the water and meringue powder until frothy and add as much confectioners sugar as necessary.
• Step 15
  Do not make icing stiff or house will not hold together as long.
• Step 16
  Using #5 tip, squeeze out icing on both sides of back of house.
• Step 17
  Stand it up and add sides.
• Step 18
  Prop with cans of soup, ect., if it doesn\'t stay firmly together.
• Step 19
  Place icing on ends of standing sides and add house front.
• Step 20
  Let dry for 10-15 minutes, then add roof and chimney.
• Step 21
  Decorate with desired candies using royal icing to place decorations on.
• Step 22
  Let dry and store covered away from dust. Makes 2-3 medium-sized houses.
• Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!