Gingerbread Country Church

To make dough: In a very large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and eggs.

Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and chill for 2 hours or until easy to handle.

Trace patterns onto waxed paper; cut out. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough in batches to 1/4-in. thickness. Position patterns on dough and cut out. Using a sharp knife, score outlines to mark door where indicated on pattern, being careful not to cut all the way through dough.

Using a toothpick, draw lines into dough to form shingles on roof pieces. To form siding, press the edge of a ruler into remaining pieces except dormers and steeple. (Keep pieces covered to prevent them from drying out.)

With a small knife and ruler, cut two 1/4-in.-wide strips for the cross.

Cut two 1/4-in.-wide strips for the door handles. Working freehand, cut a 2-1/2-in.-wide pathway.

Roll small amounts of dough into balls; press onto pathway, forming stones.

Transfer all pieces to parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until browned.

Cut out doors completely. Cool gingerbread on pans for 2 minutes before carefully removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Return the front and side pieces of church to parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Spoon crushed candies into window cutouts.

Bake at 400° for 3-4 minutes or until candy is melted. Working quickly, carefully press licorice pieces into windows, creating a leaded glass effect. Cool completely on baking sheets.

Tint water with desired amount of red food coloring. Using paintbrush, paint mixture over the roof, steeple and dormer pieces; blot gently with paper towels and let dry.

To make icing: In a very large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and meringue powder.

Add water; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form.

Transfer 2 cups icing to another bowl; beat in cinnamon until blended. Keep icing covered at all times with a damp cloth.

To assemble church: Pipe cinnamon icing along base and one side of front of church and the adjoining side wall.

Place walls at right angles to each other on cake board; prop with small cans. Pipe icing along inside and outside edges for added stability. Repeat with second side wall and back of church.

Let dry completely.

For steeple: Pipe cinnamon icing along one side of front of steeple base and one adjoining side wall. Position at right angles to each other and place on waxed paper; pipe icing along inside edge for added stability. Hold in place until set. Repeat with remaining side and back of steeple base. Repeat for steeple.

Let dry completely.

Pipe cinnamon icing along top edges of steeple base; attach steeple.

Let dry completely.

To assemble roof: Pipe cinnamon icing along top edges of church walls. Position roof pieces so there is equal overhang in front and back. Pipe icing along the joining edges. Prop bottoms of roof pieces with cans until roof is completely dry. Pipe icing onto edges of steeple and attach to roof. Join the cross pieces with icing; attach to edges of roof.

For dormers: On a work surface, position dormer pieces at angles to each other, forming seven dormers. Pipe cinnamon icing along the joining edges.

Let dry completely. Pipe icing onto the edges of dormers and attach over windows. Hold in place until secure, about 1 minute.

Finishing touches: Tint a small amount of icing green and a small amount red. Using a #14 star tip and green icing, pipe wreaths on the doors. Using a #2 round tip and red icing, pipe berries on wreaths. With cinnamon icing, attach handles to doors; attach doors to church front.

For trees, heat a small amount of corn syrup in the microwave until thin; brush over sugar cones. Coat with sprinkles. For shrubs, thin a small amount of icing with water and tint green.

Pour over cornflakes; toss to coat.

Spread onto waxed paper.

Let stand until set. Attach cornflakes to Rolo candies with icing.

Cover cake board with white icing. Immediately press pathway into icing. Arrange trees and shrubs as desired.

Place coconut in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped.

Sprinkle over the church, trees and ground.