For the Gingerbread:
1 Cup light corn syrup
1/2 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup vegetable shortening
4 Cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. ground ginger
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
For the Icing Glue:
1 Cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 egg white
1/3 Cup boiling water
For the Decorations:
prepared vanilla frosting
bite-size frosted wheats cereal
striped chocolate candies
various shapes of pretzels
ice cream cones
or for variation use:
colored icing
candy-coated wafers
jelly beans and other candies
Special Aids:
stiff cardboard
pastry bag with small and medium round tips
Making the Gingerbread:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small pan, cook corn syrup, brown sugar, and vegetable shortening over medium heat, stirring until smooth
2. In a large bowl combine flour, ginger and cinnamon and mix well. Add corn syrup mixture, stirring until dough forms. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to a 1/2-inch thick rectangle. Cut shapes - 2 sides 4 1/4" x 3 1/4", 2 roof pieces 5 7/16" x 4 1/4" and front and back pieces 5" x 5 13/16" (triangular top). Place 1" apart on baking sheets. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Place sheets on rack until cool slightly. Trim cookies; cool completely
Making the House:
1. For icing glue, in a medium bowl. combine confectioners' sugar, cream of tartar and egg white; add boiling water. Beat until icing holds stiff peaks.
2. Working with the front and sides of the house first, generously apply the icing glue along adjoining sides (best done with a pastry bag with medium tip). Hold the wall upright while the icing hardens. Repeat with remaining sides.
3. Once sides are firmly together, liberally apply icing glue to bottom edges. Attach house framework to the cardboard base. Let icing harden.
4. Next, apply roof. For best results, apply the icing glue to top edges of side, front and back walls. Apply icing glue along peak of roof. Gently press roof pieces into place. Allow icing to harden well before decorating.
Decorating the House:
1. Using a pastry bag fitted with a small tip, pipe decorations onto house.
2. Spread cardboard base with frosting and attach frosted cereal or pretzels as a fence while frosting is still moist.
3. Spread the roof liberally with frosting and attach striped chocolate or other candies as desired. Let icing harden before moving to display area.