gingerbread house

Two-Story Gingerbread House Graces Fairmont San Francisco

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

A few days ago I mentioned the sugar palace at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco but that's not the only giant holiday confection taking up residence at a San Francisco luxury hotel this season. The Fairmont San Francisco has created its annual gingerbread house. The two-story house in the Fairmont lobby is made out of 5,500 pieces of gingerbread, 850 pounds of icing, 425 pounds of candy and eight gallons of chocolate. It's a tempting treat, each day the chefs have to make repairs because some people often break off pieces of the house.

Tags: fairmont san francisco, gingerbread house, san francisco hotel

2010 White House Gingerbread House Revealed

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

It's time for my favorite White House decoration, the gingerbread White House. Michelle Obama and Chef Bill Yosses unveiled the 2010 white chocolate gingerbread White House which, like last year's, features marzipan replicas of the Obama family dog, Bo, and the White House kitchen garden. The theme for the White House Christmas 2010 is "Simple Gifts." The house weighs 350 pounds and and 30 pounds of honey from the White House beehive was used to make the gingerbread. This year's house has cutouts to show the East Room and the State Dining Room. The First Lady also decorated cookies with children from military families.

The Simple Gifts theme is shown in some of the displays which focus on capturing a homespun charm. Other decorations include magnolia and oak leaf garlands, and paper white flower blossoms and a "military appreciation tree" decorated to honor the five branches of the military in the East Wing visitor's entrance; wreaths made of natural materials such as oranges, pears and dried flowers in the East Colonnade; white poinsettia trees in garden planters and garlands of white poinsettias in the Lower Cross Hall; four large Christmas trees with hand-crafted decorations in turquoise, purple, green and gold with a bird and floral theme in the East Room; and in the Blue Room, the official White House Christmas Tree, an 18 1/2-foot Douglas fir anchored to the ceiling to keep it from tipping over, with a theme honoring county and state fairs.

Curbed breaks down the history of Christmas decorations at the White House including the introduction of the National Christmas Tree by President Coolidge in 1923.

Gallery: 2010 White House Gingerbread House

Tags: first lady, gingerbread house, michelle obama, white house

Pennsylvania Resort Showcases Gingerbread Village

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

I've been chronicling a series of massive gingerbread houses this season. At the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania a whole gingerbread village is on display. The village has more than a half-dozen gingerbread structures which are made from 100 pounds of gingerbread, 200 pounds of powdered sugar, 40 pounds of egg whites, 5,000 jelly beans and hundreds of peppermints, gum balls, candy canes, chocolates, marshmallows and pretzels. The village is on display through January 6. The hotel sells a gingerbread house kit for $65 so you can make your own.

The resort has a ski mountain with snowboarding, skiing, snow tubing and other winter sports which opens Christmas day. The resort also has spas for adults, children and even dogs. Rates start at $229 during December.

[via ABC News]

Gallery: Nemacolin Gingerbread Village

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Eco-Minded Hotel Builds Organic Gingerbread House

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Yesterday I mentioned the gingerbread White House but it's not the only impressive gingerbread house around this holiday season. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, a new LEED®-built hotel, is keeping up its green theme with an all-organic Gingerbread House. The architect-designed Green Gingerbread House was created by Chef Jon Farace and the culinary and engineering teams of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. The edible estate measures 10 feet high by 14 feet wide and is done in a Tudor architectural style. Design highlights include LED lights and a green "vegetated" moss roof inspired by the eco-minded roof of The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte's Green Gingerbread House complements the hotel's upcoming series of Holiday Teas, which will be offered within the hotel's residential-style 15th floor Living Room on December 12, 19 and 26.

Should you be inclined to make your own massive gingerbread house, the truly monumental ingredient list is after the jump.

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The Gingerbread White House Gets A Garden Too

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

The gingerbread White House is a holiday tradition but the first Obama White House has a few renovations. The replica White House, made out of 400 pounds of gingerbread coated in white chocolate took six weeks to make according to White House Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses. For the first time it is missing a wall revealing an interior with a tiny miniature State Dining Room with furniture created of dark chocolate. Outside the massive gingerbread house there is a marzipan version of Michelle Obama's kitchen garden and the first dog, Bo, is also rendered in marizipan. Check out the hi-res images in the gallery below for close-ups of the intricate masterpiece.

Gallery: The Gingerbread White House 2009

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Gourmet Gingerbread Houses

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Dining

When sweets can double as holiday decor I'd say it's a win-win situation. Enjoy its festive appearance and then dive in to taste its delicious goodness. Commonly included in many homes during the holidays, the gingerbread house doesn't just have to be a haphazard creation the kids helped put together (although those are adorable too). These confectionery structures can be as gourmet and picturesque as the rest of the Christmas party. I found eight possible creations to tempt you but you may live near a local candy shop or bakery that has something even better. Don't forget the optional personalization to truly make it your own.