1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Royal Icing, recipe follows
5 tablespoons meringue powder (found in cake decorating stores)
1/2 cup minus 2 tablespoons water
OR
2 egg whites*, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons water
1 pound confectioners' sugar