Gingerbread Village

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 350º.

2. 2

   Grease square pan, 9 × 9 × 2 inches, and jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 × 10 1/2 × 1 inch.

3. 3

   Beat brown sugar, shortening and molasses in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon.

4. 4

   Stir in water.

5. 5

   Stir in remaining ingredients except Frosting and assorted candies.

6. 6

   Press one third of dough into square pan.

7. 7

   Press remaining dough into jelly roll pan.

8. 8

   Bake 1 pan at a time about 15 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched in center.

9. 9

   Cool 5 minutes.

10. 10

    Invert onto large cutting surface.

11. 11

    Immediately cut jelly roll into fourths and then into buildings as shown below.

12. 12

    Cut square into braces as shown.

13. 13

    Cool completely.