Directions (continued)

• before carefully removing to wire racks.
• Trace full patterns onto waxed paper; cut out. Arrange patterns over
• cookies. With a sharp knife, cut out pieces. Score and cut out a
• door and windows as desired; set cutouts and cookie scraps aside.
• To make icing: In a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar,
• meringue powder and cream of tartar. Add water and vanilla. Beat on
• low speed for 1 minute; beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff
• peaks form. Set aside 1 cup. Tint remaining icing orange. Cover
• icing between uses.
• To assemble: Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic
• bag; insert round tip #4. Fill bag with white icing; pipe along
• sides of front and one side section. Position at right angles to
• each other on a covered board. Press into place; prop with cans.
• Pipe icing along inside edge for added stability. Repeat with second
• side piece and back; let dry. Pipe icing along top edge of house.
• Position one roof piece; repeat. Pipe icing along top edge of roof
• pieces.
• For turret, pipe icing along sides of front and side section.
• Position at right angles to each other; repeat with back section.
• Press into place. Pipe icing along top edge of turret. Position one
• roof piece; repeat. Let dry.
• To make tombstones: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup chocolate
• chips; stir until smooth. Cut cookies in half widthwise; dip each
• half into chocolate. Let excess drip off and place on waxed paper;
• let stand for 15 minutes or until set. Cut a small hole in the
• corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip #2. Fill bag
• with icing; decorate tombstones as desired.
• Finishing touches: Attach reserved door cutout to house front with
• icing. Top with a reserved window cutout; attach pretzel rods with
• icing for support beams. For caution tape, cut two 6-in.-long strips
• from fruit roll-up; attach across front of house.
• Cut remaining window pieces in half. For "Beware" sign, decorate a
• window piece with icing; attach pretzel sticks. Let dry. Attach
• remaining window pieces for shutters.
• Melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Cut a small hole
• in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert tip #4. Fill bag with
• melted chocolate. Pipe over white icing; pull down chocolate with a
• toothpick.
• Using orange icing, attach candy corn to roof. Decorate covered board
• as desired with crushed cookies, tombstones, sign, additional
• cookies and pretzel sticks. Yield: 1 mansion.