CONSTRUCTION GRADE GINGERBREAD DOUGH RECIPE

5 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1-1/2 tbsp. warm water

Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Sift together dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside. Whip shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add light corn syrup and molasses to sugar mixture, slowly, until thoroughly mixed.

Add warm water. You can add dry ingredients to mixer and knead with a dough hook, or transfer wet ingredients to large bowl of dry ingredients and knead for 10 minutes. 

Put dough in a large plastic bag for 1 hour to rest. Although it is best when used same day, the dough will keep for a week at room temperature or a month in the refrigerator.

Roll dough evenly onto a piece of tin foil (big enough to fit onto a cookie sheet) 1/8 - 1/4 inch thickness. Use copper cutters to make cottage shapes and peel up unused dough. Place foil on cookie sheet being careful not to disturb cut pieces and bake 15-20 min. until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a flat surface. Once baked, the cottage will last for years if stored in a plastic bag. Makes 2-3 cottages (based on our cutter kit).

4 tbsp. diet margarine
2 tbsp. molasses
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups + one tbsp. boiling water
1 cup rye flour
1/8 tsp. baking powder
4 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 400F. In a large mixing bowl add margarine, ginger, cinnamon, salt and molasses. Add boiling water and mix. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and then add this to wet ingredients. Blend well and pour into 2 greased loaf pans or a cake pan of your choice.   Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out dry.    Approximately 73 calories per serving.

ROYAL FROSTING RECIPE

4 cups sifted confectioners sugar
3 level tbsp. meringue powder
*(found in most craft stores and with cake decorating supplies)
6 tbsp. water
Food coloring for color

Combine meringue powder and water, beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add sugar and continue to beat for 7 minutes. Add food coloring to tint.

Keep covered when not using, since royal frosting will begin to harden when exposed to air.

Decorate the gingerbread pieces while laying flat. Gravity will work to your advantage, and you'll have more control. Assemble the house with heavy frosting by adding more powdered sugar. Use various size tips to create the degree of detail you are looking for.