Gingerbread Houses

This recipe will make 2 enough pieces for two gingerbread houses:
1 cup solid white vegetable shortening
2 cups old-fashioned molasses
8 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons salt

Melt shortening and add molasses and 1/2 cup warm water. Mix in dry ingredients until
smooth. Chill several hours, then roll small amounts of dough at a time to 1/8″
thickness. Cut out patterns and bake in preheated 350 degree farenheit oven, about 12 minutes.

The following are pictures of the house templates with dimensions indicated (click on pictures to enlarge.)* I drew my templates on poster board and cut
them out. For each house, you will need to cut 2 roof pieces, 2 side pieces, 1 gable piece with the door cut out for the
front of the house, and 1 gable piece without the door cut out for the back of the house.