These amazing gingerbread houses will inspire you to get creative this year
Gingerbread season is here! While the candy-covered creations we make with our kids are what we’d call “shabby chic” at best (here are some gingerbread house hacks to help you this year), some folks take it to the next level. We’ve rounded up a village of amazing gingerbread houses that will make your jaw drop.
Magical World of Gingerbread Houses
Disney World is known for displaying amazing gingerbread houses every year, and the Grand Floridian Resort tops the list of best places to spot them.
"12 Days of Gingerbread"
The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville is famous for its annual Gingerbread House Competition. This year is the 31st anniversary, and starting on November 27th, all the submissions will be displayed throughout the resort. If you won't be in the area, be sure to check out their "12 Days of Gingerbread," where, from Dec 1. - Dec. 12, the top 12 finalists are presenting on Facebook and Instagram.
Sweet & Simple’s Clever House
British Columbia-based baker Sweet & Simple Kitchen’s beautiful use of powdered sugar and almond shingles has us dreaming of a cozy cabin somewhere.
Related: 13 Brilliant Hacks for the Perfect Gingerbread House
Two-Story Gingerbread House
The Fairmont in San Francisco is famous for its two-story gingerbread houses, which is a part of its annual holiday fun. You can even book a dining experience for up to eight guests inside the gingerbread house! The hotel officially kicks off the holiday fun on November 24th, 2023.
A Retro Gingerbread Camper
We're totally crushing on this creation by Sugar & Cloth, complete with a Rice Krispy Christmas tree on top of the sweet retro camper. There are even step-by-step instructions if you’re feeling brave enough to attempt it yourself.
There’s No Place Like This Gingerbread House
Fashion Island Hotel Newport Beach created a jaw-dropping take on The Wizard of Oz, made with 400 pounds of gingerbread dough, 300 pounds of fondant, and 100 pounds of chocolate.
Haunted Gingerbread House
Two of our favorite holidays collide in this spooky house from Cookie Connection. A candy-lined path leads up to a sweet mansion that’s crawling with ivy—would you dare to step inside?
White House
The White House gingerbread house is a tradition that’s been going on since the Carter administration. We think the 2019 house was pretty awesome because not only is the White House featured, but other important American landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Alamo are included too.
Gingerbread Farm
How cute is this farm setup from My Name Is Yeh? Complete with matcha trees, heart-shaped jolly rancher windows, and gingerbread ponies, it’s a farm you can really sink your teeth into.
Related: How to Make a Gingerbread House…From Scratch
Boardwalk Concession Stand
Disney doesn’t do anything halfway—including this life-size replica of a Jersey Shore Boardwalk concession stand at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, which has a grand total of 674 gingerbread shingles. We’ve only got one question: how do you keep the kiddos from nibbling on it as they walk by?
A Tea Party
Here’s another winner from the Omni Grove Park Inn’s 2022 contest, but this time, it's the first-place winner in the teen category!
Frozen Gingerbread Ice Castle
Frozen fans will appreciate this awesome gingerbread ice castle that popped up at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Florida. Anna, Elsa, and the rest of the gang are all ready to wave hello.
Valentine Gingerbread House
Here’s a cute idea—combine a couple of holidays for an extra special gingerbread house. This creation from With Love and Confection is super sweet down to the last detail, from the heart-shaped roof tiles to the glittery snowman in the front yard.
Land of Misfit Toys
This amazing gingerbread house combines an iconic building at the National Institutes of Health with everyone’s favorite reindeer and all of his friends. Watch out for the Abominable Snowman in the background!
Up Gingerbread House
This clever house looks just like the one featured in Pixar’s hit movie Up. From the “grass” made out of toasted coconut to the rice paper curtains, this house makes every detail count.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Waterbar's Executive Pastry Chef Erica Land spent over 100 hours creating this amazing rendition of Halloween Town from Tim Burton's classic film The Nightmare Before Christmas. It was three feet tall, and six feet wide, and included over 25 lbs. of gingerbread!
