This time of year, I always remember a lesson I learned in sixth grade — Chex cereal makes for optimal roof shingles when creating a gingerbread house.
During the glorious month of December, our teacher set aside the blackboard long division lessons to initiate a class challenge: building a gingerbread village. We surged on a sugar high for the next several days, mixing up the edible glue that served as mortar for the graham cracker and gingerbread facades, joyful that a combination of candy and creativity would replace math class for the month.
I’m not the only one to get a nostalgic thrill at the sight of a gingerbread house. Passion for these edible spiced structures spans many countries and centuries. It is no surprise that gingerbread houses are extremely popular in Germany, where the tale of Hansel and Gretel was first recorded by the Brothers Grimm during the 19th century.
In the fable, two lost children wander through the forest before happening upon a house that is “built entirely from bread with a roof made of cake, and the windows were made of sugar.” With such a sweet exterior, the children could hardly fathom that the resident of such a confectionery delight was a witch with a particularly nasty appetite. Hence, Germans today sometimes refer to a gingerbread house as a hexenhaus, or witch’s house. (Though I have to say, my favorite is knusperhauschen, which literally translates to “nibbling house.”)
The gingerbread town on display in Bergan, Norway. Photo by escadabella on Flickr.
A gingerbread fisketorget, or fish market. Photo by straightfromthecask on Flickr.
In the city of Bergen, Norway, you’ll find the exhibition of the annual Pepperkakebyen, or Gingerbread Town. Each year school children contribute to the gingerbread version of their city.
Known in Sweden as pepparkakshus, gingerbread houses are the star of an annual event held by the Swedish Museum of Architecture. When the holiday season approaches, the museum declares the theme for that year’s gingerbread house competition. For 2010, the theme was, “I’m home now,” addressing issues of feeling rootless and homeless. “We see our homes as a human right,” the museum’s website states, “yet there are many people who do not have a home or who have been forced to leave their home and to search for a new one.” Judged in three categories — architects and professional bakers, children under 12, and everyone else — each contributor had a very unique interpretation of the theme. Make sure to check out the rest of the inspired gingerbread creations.
The Winchester Mystery House before the 1906 earthquake. Photo from the San Jose Library on Flickr.
The Winchester Mystery House in gingerbread. Photo by ehoyer on Flickr.
America has its own gingerbread fascination, seen in countless competitions and exhibitions that occur every December. On the West Coast, the infamous Winchester Mystery House continues to delight, disturb and inspire confectionery creativity. In 1884, Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun maker William Wirt Winchester, began a never-ending construction project on her house. This obsession began after Sarah visited a psychic who informed her that the Winchester family was cursed. As such, her house must continually expand to provide room for the souls of people killed by her husband’s guns. If that story scares you, take heart in the dreamy gingerbread version of the Winchester Mystery House, created by Pam Sheridan in 1990.
1st place in the Youth category at the The National Gingerbread House competition.
But the Academy Awards of gingerbread houses takes place at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, where entries range from the traditional to the wild. This winter, instead of frost and icicles, I’ll be dreaming of the sandy beaches and thatched roofs of Bora Bora.
Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart
Whether you’re inspired to make your own masterpieces, or your tongue is simply craving the sweet taste of gingerbread, check out the following recipes to satisfy your holiday appetite:
- Martha Stewart’s Swedish Gingerbread House
- Gingerbread Pancakes from Joy the Baker
- Swedish-French Gingerbread Cookies from Inspiration Mittemellan
- Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies from Good Life Eats
- Sweetopia’s Epic Nutcracker Gingerbread Cookies
- A Tiny Gingerbread House That Perches On the Edge of Your Mug
- Gingerbread Bread Pudding
Do you have a sweet memory of making gingerbread houses? Share with us in the comments below!
151 comments
Sign in to add your ownJudiPaintedit says:
OMG They are so amazing!! I could never do that.
1 year ago
DalkullanJewelry says:
I've been to the Winchester Mystery House, it's a fun place to visit. Thanks for an interesting article!
1 year ago
Pinkpjs says:
Absolutely amazing how creative people are!
1 year ago
Pinkpjs says:
Absolutely amazing how creative people are!
1 year ago
Jonesing4Jewelry says:
Love these. Not sure if I would have the patience. I might as well enjoy the pictures of them instead.
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
Ooooooh me likey that gingerbread housecast - that would make me want to assemble one!
1 year ago
yellowfield7 says:
I love it they are so beautiful!!!!
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
How fun! I want to eat my laptop screen. For years I was the "gingerbread lady" at my daughter's school. We saved school lunch milk cartons and used graham crackers instead of gingerbread. Every time I came to school the kids would say: "there's the gingerbread lady!" Such great work in the photos above. Thanks!
1 year ago
ForeverFall says:
Mmmm...Winchester house...Nom, nom, nom...
1 year ago
linguaNigra says:
that is sooo amazinG!!!
1 year ago
fieldtrip says:
this is rad... i love making gingerbread creations :)
1 year ago
itsmezoe says:
Amazing!!
1 year ago
amberike says:
This is awesome!
1 year ago
vitamini says:
This is perfect timing - I'm constructing my gingerbread house today! I'm making everything from scratch, so it'll probably take all day, but it'll be worth it. I hope it comes out nearly as cool as the ones shown here!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Amazing! I can barely make a gingerbread cookie let alone a whole house but my mom is great at it. Thanks.
1 year ago
willowstreetworkshop says:
Beautiful! Our town has a local gingerbread house contest each year. We love touring through the entries at the display night. We entered ginger-condos one year. I really love the gingerbread camper in your article!
1 year ago
SatinandBirch says:
Wonderful!
1 year ago
Colettesboutique says:
These are just amazing and so yummy looking!! the penguins scene is just precious!
1 year ago
TheLittleRagamuffin says:
I have great memories of my mom coming to my second grade class to help my classmates construct their own gingerbread houses. Most of us just ended up eating our candy and licking the frosting off of our fingers. Each Christmas Mom still fills bowls of candy and pulls out the graham crackers and frosting...and I still just eat the candy and lick my fingers. My houses never seem to turn out quite right!
1 year ago
vKnit says:
o i love this! gingerbread is one of my favourites! my boyfriend bakes me gingerbread hearts every valentines! :) i love all these photos! xox
1 year ago
HoldTheWire says:
We were planning to make a gingerbread house this year for the 1st time (Joy of Cooking recipe). Wish us luck, we'll need it! Cute article, thanks!
1 year ago
ara133photography says:
Those are fantastic!! I love the lit windows - so cozy, very cool idea!
1 year ago
atelierfrost says:
One year I made a surprise gingerbread for my dad--it was Santa's Surf Shop! :) http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=165584563485095&set=a.123629934347225.9403.100001006572686 I don't know why I haven't made one this year! Gingerbread houses always make it feel Christmas-y! What a fun array of them you found!
1 year ago
joonijewelry says:
What intricate works and so yummy looking! Are they all really edible?? Such fun. I often go to Santana Row and drive by Winchester House. I will dare to go in one day...
1 year ago
corrnucopia says:
So pretty & so yummy!
1 year ago
crumblescookies says:
Wow, love the Gingerbread!, Phenominal Art! Cool Story Thanks
1 year ago
Jusadreamin says:
Man just made me hungry THANKS I LOVE EVERYTHING
1 year ago
crumblescookies says:
Wow the Gingerbread is Phenominal! Nice story
1 year ago
gizmofiberarts says:
Simply amazing.
1 year ago
daydreamjewels says:
Just amazing!!! I love the laptop...
1 year ago
CountryCozyByRB says:
Amazing what can be done with gingerbread!!! Great pictures!
1 year ago
BDVintage says:
Ha! That gingerbread travel trailer is soooo cute. I really want to make one now.
1 year ago
tigersanddragons says:
Ooh, we loved making Gingerbread houses, though when you finally get to eat them they tend to be pretty hard. The featured gingerbread creations are super cool, especially the trailer and penguins! We read the story of the Winchester house years ago in a Swamp Thing comic, had no idea that it was based on a true story.
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Great post! My daughter and I made a Spongebob's pineapple house as a gingerbread house this year! So cute =)
1 year ago
NerdJerk says:
That Winchester House looks amazing! My boyfriend has been obsessed with it for a while. I'll have to show him! But what really got me to click was that gingerbread Trailer! Awesome!
1 year ago
TheArtMotel says:
Sooooooo Kool! I absolutely love this post!
1 year ago
miznovember says:
Wow. I was about to get worried that you weren't going to mention the Asheville competition. It's on the local news every year!
1 year ago
HouseOfMoss says:
I love these things! This year, I made a gingerbread yurt! :)
1 year ago
KattyKinns says:
Oh wow that is amazing, a whole gingerbread village how cute xoxo
1 year ago
mazedasastoat says:
Love the penguin scene... although I have a feeling that every time I walked by there would be a penguin or two less!
1 year ago
breadandroses2 says:
This is wonderful! Annual gingerbread baking fest begins tomorrow so I may have to try just a little house, so something easier than a whole village. Houseofmoss' gingerbread yurt sounds good. Thanks so much for this!
1 year ago
breadandroses2 says:
This is wonderful! Annual gingerbread baking fest begins tomorrow so I may have to try just a little house, so something easier than a whole village. Houseofmoss' gingerbread yurt sounds good. Thanks so much for this!
1 year ago
weezieduzzit says:
What great timing. We started constructing one last night and will spend this evening enjoying a bottle of wine while we decorate it. :) This article has given me some great inspiration and I absolutely love the gingerbread travel trailer!
1 year ago
TJToubeaux says:
I love these gingerbread houses! My daughter and I made our first house this year, and it was so much fun! And there even better when you're eating them :-) Gingerbread is surprisingly delicious with green tea...
1 year ago
TJToubeaux says:
I love these gingerbread houses! My daughter and I made our first house this year, and it was so much fun! And there even better when you're eating them :-) Gingerbread is surprisingly delicious with green tea...
1 year ago
Verdurebydesign says:
A niece gave our family a house she made for Christmas. It was the best gift. Now it has been interesting to read some history. Thanks
1 year ago
coolstuffartgallery says:
Love the houses!
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
We love making gingerbread houses, and then picking/eating all the yummy sweet white frosting!
1 year ago
spiritcleanslate says:
What creativity. I love those houses. My favorite is the camper. ...
1 year ago
earlybirdcreations says:
Oh my, these are just beautiful!
1 year ago
LuLusApple says:
Love it! Been to the Winchester house many times, never seen the gingerbread one that's too fun:) we make gingerbread houses every year too. Well a village is more like it. I bake about 20 houses so everyone in the family gets one. It's quite an extravaganza of candy and royal icing messy goodness!
1 year ago
orchardfarmsoap says:
We too make a tradition of making a Ginger bread house each year. My daughter did an interior of a house this year that was amazing!
1 year ago
LittleCrystal says:
WOW! We always do the kits in our house but this inspires me to do more next year ;)
1 year ago
TiffanyMorganDesigns says:
These are all so amazing! Thanks so much for putting this up!
1 year ago
KylieO says:
Love the caravan!
1 year ago
birdie1 says:
So charming!
1 year ago
MissHildebrandt says:
What a neat read. I find gingerbread houses very comforting as well but haven't made one in years. Seeing all the fresh ideas above has made me want to gather some g.house ingredients and go go go...I have a feeling we will be doing that this fine Christmas Eve... thank you.
1 year ago
nanaslittlestitches says:
Those ginger bread houses are so cute. And amazing. Its so christmas at this time in nanas house with. Grandbabys young and old making cookies and laughter.
1 year ago
decadesbydianne says:
Thanks for sharing this! It was a nice break admist the hustle and bustle tonight! :o)
1 year ago
milkfly says:
So fun. Makes me want to make one too !
1 year ago
SewJoyous says:
We live near the Grove Park Inn in Asheville and go every year with our homeschool group. It is spectacular! My daughter wants to enter next year. I love the camper!!
1 year ago
shop1848 says:
So amazing! I LOVE the gingerbread trailer!!!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
The gingerbread creations are amazing!
1 year ago
SweetlyFallen says:
This was fun! Maybe next year, I'll make one too!
1 year ago
kirstenann says:
Wow they are all amazing LOVE it :)
1 year ago
MariposaGallery says:
incredible details
1 year ago
MariposaGallery says:
incredible details
1 year ago
LoveYourBling says:
I made my first one this year with my son, so fun!
1 year ago
salvageshop says:
i want to make a gingerbread house now too!!
1 year ago
erindove says:
nom nom nom
1 year ago
BeadingonaBudget says:
Love them all!So much talent out there:)
1 year ago
Goodthings88 says:
I've just backed my ginger cookies ))) I'm eating them right now and looking at these sweet houses)))
1 year ago
Emmamaha says:
Oh joy:) I love love love the Winchester Mystery House! Can you imagine how much work that whole project probably took? Amazing. Love this post, every sweet little detail and picture:)
1 year ago
crowellexpressions says:
I love the Gingerbread trailer. I had to show my husband right away and he was very impressed :)
1 year ago
theroyal says:
what!! the blog looks different!
1 year ago
NotOneSparrow says:
Great post! What a sweet read;-)
1 year ago
NotOneSparrow says:
great post! what a sweet read;-)
1 year ago
overthemeadow says:
Fun post. Cute and clever. Love those yummy little houses.
1 year ago
HulaGirl1922 says:
very...very....cool!! just made Hogwarts Castle complete with womping willow, basilisk,,,mermaids and more..too fun!! great fun and recommend everyone to make a Gingerbread house with your own personal style!!...Thanks for this post....LOVELY ♥ Best wishes!!
1 year ago
leafprintstudio says:
Fabulous! I've been trying to get my son to try designing and building a gingerbread house this year since he can build just about anything out of Legos! (I thought gingerbread might be tastier!)
1 year ago
thenewblackmarket says:
I want to see a gingerbread teepee!
1 year ago
motleymutton says:
A bit off topic, but Ginger is a great root to settle an upset stomach...I shred some ginger root into a cup of boiled water, let it steep, then sift the water into another cup and add a tiny bit of honey. Much better than Pepto-Bismol!
1 year ago
thelittlereddoor says:
This made me smile so big. Love the penguins!
1 year ago
GildedCageDesign says:
love the houses!! A fun read! Happy Holidays.
1 year ago
Chveya says:
it would be fun to be a huge giant and crash into that little town eating everything in sight. =)
1 year ago
ChloeCalypsoCreation says:
These are amazing! Love it!
1 year ago
tortillagirl says:
This is definitely one of my favorite blog articles, ever.
1 year ago
OliviaClare says:
Those are amazing. Put a huge smile on my face!!
1 year ago
PhatGrrl says:
The caravan is genius!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
You know I've never successfully made a gingerbread house! I tried to one year and failed miserably, maybe I'm just not cut out to be a gingerbread architect.
1 year ago
HandcraftedorVintage says:
This is wunderful, I love these gingerbread creations! Reminds me of my mother, she made little gingerbread houses for the three of us as we where little children for years. Did they taste good..... :o) This is one of my favorite blog articles, thank you!
1 year ago
heidiburton says:
Love the different creative uses of gingerbread here! My mother (Kardemumma on Etsy) makes a beautiful gingerbread house every year, inspired by Finnish tradition. A couple of photos from last year: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heidillustration/4256514497 http://www.flickr.com/photos/heidillustration/4257877306 I have memories of sneaking downstairs in the morning to steal sweets from the roof... it was the 'elves' that did it ;)
1 year ago
kbc10 says:
So creative!!!!
1 year ago
baconsquarefarm says:
Winchester house is awesome and the trailer home too, thanks for sharing the pic's and story with all of us.
1 year ago
kadydesigns says:
I love anything that has to do with gingerbread! These are awsome!! Love the peguins!
1 year ago
KermitsTiesEtc says:
I used to always make some kind of gingerbread house each Christmas. One year I went over the top and made a gingerbread church complete with stained glass windows (crushed melted lifesavers). It took about 8 hours. I put it out on a table in the living room. As soon as I turned my back, my standard poodle, Tammy, ate half of it.
1 year ago
blueskyclouds says:
Such great designs and ideas. My son asked me yesterday if next year we could make a gingerbread house!
1 year ago
ShowOffDesigns says:
I love the gingerbread too! It is really inspiring and I may some day create my own. I have never seen two identical gingerbread houses, so it has to be a way of awesome self-expression.
1 year ago
dfrdesign says:
Amazing
1 year ago
IcingOnTheCupcake says:
So fun to look at!
1 year ago
EnRapturingReVisions says:
Been dreaming of making one all season. So nice to live vicariously through others who had the time to do it!
1 year ago
unitedthread says:
I love this! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
1 year ago
BrendaWattsWoodwork says:
My 6 year old grandson and I LOVE your gingerbread creations. They are fantastic !!
1 year ago
Underpinnings says:
Thank you for posting this story! I've always wanted to create a gingerbread house but never leave time during the holidays. At least I can enjoy these photos!
1 year ago
ModernMode says:
What a great post! These are amazing! The trailer reminds me of our RV growing up (we hung Christmas lights on it year-round) and the Winchester House one is so cool, just visited there a couple months ago. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
dangargyle says:
I love this! These are all so fantastic. And yummy.
1 year ago
TheIDconnection says:
I love this article. Ginger Bread Houses are Wonderful! Merry Christmas All Monica TheIdConnection
1 year ago
BlueRoomBijoux says:
Hmmm! Yummy!! I want to make some right now!! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody!! Marietta XOX
1 year ago
lulumumu says:
sweet and delicious! i would never eat any of them because they're way too nice!
1 year ago
eastbaycalifornia says:
Im making one today!! These are amazing!!
1 year ago
Gypsymoondesigns says:
My grandma used to make us gingerbread houses and Barbie cakes. Your article invoked wonderful memories of my grams!
1 year ago
hankietankie says:
thanks for the trippy gingerbread spread! xo
1 year ago
mdmyers says:
Thanks for sharing these amazing gingerbread creations! You have inspired me to put my creativity to work!:) :) I can smell the yummy gingerbread baking now!
1 year ago
grandmamarievintage says:
I love them! So cute! Really good article!
1 year ago
owlmoony says:
The penguin display is so creative. I never would've thought to do that with gingerbread. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
BlueMoonRose says:
My 8 year old daughter and I went to a gingerbread house class at a local candy shop and omg did we have fun. The candy supply was limitless and we walked away with a fabulous creation. I love the samples you have shown. The penguins are PDQ. Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
fatime09 says:
I could live in that trailer!!! ...and eat it too!!! LOL!!!
1 year ago
MODmixVINTAGE says:
Love the RV and the penguins!
1 year ago
songbird980 says:
Really enjoyed this post ^_^ I LOVE the trailer! I made a gingerbread house recently for a local competition, check it out! http://cakestarkimmy.blogspot.com/
1 year ago
roses2eva says:
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
roses2eva says:
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
roses2eva says:
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
thecrochetloft says:
This is really cute ideas for gingerbead. Heck I cannot ever get the house to stick together with the icing. Great job!!
1 year ago
totallyelegant says:
Love the RV. We live in one. Saved the pic for my guy to see. I could not eat it.
1 year ago
GorgeousKarma says:
Unbelievable. Totally inspiring!
1 year ago
NoaSharonDesigns says:
Beautiful! i could stare on these photos for years! reminds me the witch candy house my parents made for my 6yr old b-day... :) Yummy
1 year ago
silverain says:
Made a house for my daughter's 4th birthday years ago. It was just--okay. Still, she did love it. After looking at these wonderful buildings I'm going to try again. Thanks for posting this truckload of inspriation.
1 year ago
karoart says:
Penguins and Coffin are the best!!! I actually had a crazy creative gingerbread making evening with my friends a while ago - sea creatures was our theme... but we went far beyond it:) I wish I could share some photos with you here...
1 year ago
KarensLoom says:
Awesome!!!!!!Really incredible and fascinating!!!! Thanks for sharing..
1 year ago
MursBlanc says:
I'll be doing this later today! love the coffin hhaha
1 year ago
PernillasSS says:
Beeing Swedish, this means the world to me, I Love this article!!! Thank you!
1 year ago
heather1977 says:
Never thought about a gingerbread house as a trailer. What a novel idea!
1 year ago
PoppysVintageGarden says:
super fun! Love them all!
1 year ago
arsniccandy says:
Sweet!! Those are some fabulously awesome gingerbread houses and....villages. I especially love the iceburg and penguins:)
1 year ago
pinkbijou says:
Love them!
1 year ago
HadaraTLV says:
Unbelievable! Makes your imagine fly...
1 year ago
lavishcraft says:
cute cute cute, the variety of gingerbread houses wow. Trailers, Palm trees and beach huts or funereal settings are just not something I personally ever would have come up with as ideas for gingerbread scenes these are great fun. thanx for sharing
1 year ago
Prittyfy says:
Very sweet! Love them all!
1 year ago
Vanessa says:
I love the Winchester Mystery House!
1 year ago
PinkSenorita says:
What a fun article! In my husband's family we started an annual tradition of making gingerbread houses. And boy do we get carried away with it!! This year we had several fun structers that appeared, such as the White House and Qualcom Stadium!
1 year ago
movalleyhoney says:
I'm amazed and awed...thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
KimsCraftyApple says:
Intriguing, Delicious, and FUN!
1 year ago
Gretagreen says:
Love all the creativity and great gingerbread
1 year ago
Gretagreen says:
Love love love it
1 year ago
GracefullyGirly says:
This year was my first attempt at a gingerbread house with my 3 yr. old. Very fun! But, that Winchester House was amazing. I've been there a few times and the photo before the 1906 quake was amazing! Thanks
1 year ago
ArleenDesign says:
YummmmmmYyyyyyy!
1 year ago
PetitPlat says:
aaah that kinda gets on my nerves. I had tons of miniature gingerbread houses, but I'm far from home right now, so my shop is closed :( But lovely finds nevertheless :)
1 year ago
tinyearsjewelry says:
very inventive GB houses... Casey @ tin years
1 year ago
MadebyLinLin says:
Love these! Very cool!
1 year ago
EffingAwesome says:
I think they're all pretty inspiring. I like how the mouse to the little laptop is a scone. Obviously stuff that is made to look like other stuff appeals to me (I make miniature dessert jewelry). Gotta say, though... I lived down the street and around the corner from the Winchester House for about 2 years, and it looks nothing like that from the street. All I ever saw was a big ol' fence and a sign that read that they were hiring highschool kids to guide their tours. Is that gingerbread model in the gift shop now? It wasn't there when I went.
1 year ago
sweetscraps says:
those are incredible. My granddaughter and I have talked about doing one. Maybe we'll give it a shot.
1 year ago