Cake decorators and pastry chefs have long been revered for their artistry and attention to detail. The things these bakers can do with cake knows no bounds. However, one form of food artistry that has been vastly overlooked and severely underrated is the art of making gingerbread houses.
Constructing houses and other structures out of gingerbread is just as time consuming and methodical as baking and decorating a cake. However, due to the texture and consistency of gingerbread, it provides for a sturdier base than soft, malleable cake.
Competitions are even dedicated to the creation of these masterpieces. Much love and hard work goes into these confections and it is about time these pieces of art are recognized.
Here are some of the most amazing gingerbread houses that are not only incredible due to their size, detail and accuracy, but also due to their being inspired by the most beloved nerdoms and video games.
Portal
This simple yet futuristic confection is a hypnotic interpretation of the Aperture Science computer aided enrichment center. The gingerbread presentation features a gingerbread portal cube and gingerbread people. The display also features blue and pink candy portals surrounded by blue and pink royal icing.
The Aperture Science testing facility is where the character Chell must solve several puzzles by using the portal device to transport herself and objects. Upon successful completion, the character will receive cake.
Check out more pics here.
World of Warcraft
This breathtaking gingerbread monument is a shocking model of Deathwing destroying Stormwind City. A woman from Sweden created this beauty for a Starcraft II holiday dessert contest. Deathwing is composed of an orange and clove-flavored chocolate cake and caramelized sugar wings. Stormwind City is composed of gingerbread that is being engulfed by caramelized sugar flames.
Deathwing the Destroyer was one of the five Dragon Aspects. He eventually corrupted the black Dragon Aspect and scorched the capital of Stormwind following the Second War.
Check out more pics here.
Lord of the Rings
This magnificent tower of gingerbread is a stunning replica of the tower of Barad-dûr from the Lord of the Rings. The delectable creation was crafted by two Finnish students who used almost 14 pounds of gingerbread to create this masterpiece. The tower is held together with chocolate and is complete with Sauron's light shining from atop the tower. Barad-dûr, also known as the Dark Tower, was ruled by Sauron, the Dark Lord. The Eye of Sauron shone from the highest tower and kept watch over all of Middle Earth.
Check out more pics here.
Halo
This tasty looking display of gingerbread is a beautiful representation of the Forward Unto Dawn ship from Halo. The creative concoction was made by a gamer for an IGN gingerbread making competition. The sizable ship is complete with the words 'forward unto dawn' and a United Nations Space Command symbol. The ship is comprised of gingerbread, pretzel sticks, and Nutty bars and is held together with white icing. Master Chief is found in the Forward Unto Dawn ship at the end of Halo 3 and in Halo 4. The ship was eventually cut in half with Master Chief's half left to drift towards a world called Requiem.
Check out more pics here.
Star Trek
This amazing, mid-air gingerbread imitation of Star Trek's Starship Enterprise was made by Blackmarket Bakery in California. The captivating mid-action piece is complete with the NCC-1701 registry code and a candy coated tractor beam. The ship is decorated with red, white, blue, and black icing. The piece is also adorned with miniature candy canes, marshmallows, hard peppermints, and soft peppermints.
The USS Enterprise is the main starship in the Star Trek universe. Its mission is "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before."
Check out more pics here.
Star Wars
This frosty confection is an inspired take on the Star Wars All Terrain Armored Transport (AT-AT). This pretty design was created by a Flickr user and features intricate designs made with pastel pink, baby blue, white, black, gray, and gold icing. The statuesque creation displays dots, stripes, and flower designs.
AT-AT Walkers are vehicles that travel through the Star Wars landscape on mechanical legs. They are mainly used by the Old Republic and the Galactic Empire.
Check out more pics here.
Mario
This inventive and detailed gingerbread version of Bowser's castle may not be the first of many Mario-themed gingerbread houses, but it is one of the most interesting. Created by a Norwegian Reddit-user's family, this presentation features a gingerbread house ensconced in fondant. Complete with fondant Mario characters and Mario being chased by a bomb-omb, this gingerbread house is very entertaining. This action-filled scene even has little snowmen and an 8-bit coin.
Bowser's Castle functions as a base for the Koopa King and his Koopa Troops. Mario must frequently save Princess Peach from Bowser who keeps her locked up in his castle.
Check out more pics here.
Game of Thrones
This ornate gingerbread creation is a colorful representation of the highly coveted Iron Throne. This pretty design features purple and blue icing and tons of individually made miniature swords. Some of the swords are even decorated in edible beads. Created by Aegon I Targaryen, the Iron Throne is the seat of the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. The seat resides in the Red Keep's throne room, only to be sat upon by the Hand of the King in the King's absence.
Check out more pics here.
Super Mario
This exquisite gingerbread creation is yet another beautiful depiction of Mario in a winter wonderland themed game for the Nintendo DS. This animated and comprehensive design features multi-colored candy ribbons and edible versions of re-occurring and well-known Super Mario characters and symbols, including Princess Peach, Bowser, Toad, Luigi, Yoshi, and Mario himself. Luigi, Yoshi, and Toad can be seen throwing snowballs at Bowser who is in the midst of throwing a massive snowball. Mario beholds a star while Princess Peach looks on. Although this holiday version of Super Mario does not exist, one can still appreciate the dedication and creativity put into this masterpiece.
Check out more pics here.
Mass Effect
This colossal piece of gingerbread is a spectacular rendition of the Mass Effect harbinger. The statuesque construction was on display at the EXP Restaurant and Bar in Vancouver. Created by the Catalyst as a clone of the Leviathans, Harbinger is a Reaper that oversees Collectors' operations. Any unit taken over by it is instantly killed and its body will levitate and glow, gaining increased health and strength.
Check out more pics here.
Mario
The final Mario-inspired gingerbread house was created by Darcy from The Infinite Yums for an auction at the Festival of the Trees. It features many of the same characters and symbols from the previous Mario-themed houses, with the exception of Wario, Waluigi, and Boo. This cute house and its characters are ensconced and composed of colored fondant.
Check out more pics here.
Star Wars
This unbelievable gingerbread sculpture is an astonishing replica of the Millennium Falcon. The creation was on display at the Inn at Laurel Point as part of Canada's National Gingerbread showcase in 2012. The piece is entirely edible and features a miniature Chewbacca and Han Solo. It is decorated with red, white and blue icing and sits atop a bead of shredded coconut. Candy canes and chocolate adorn the rest of the creation.
The Millennium Falcon is a modified YT-1300 light freighter spacecraft commanded by the smuggler Han Solo and the Wookie Chewbacca.
Check out more pics here.
Gingerbread making is not only a fun and tasty way to play with food, but it also allows people to express their creativity and their passions or interests.
These twelve sculptures are a beautiful homage to the gaming community and they show that gingerbread making is just as artistic and enjoyable as cake making.
What do you think of these gingerbread houses? Will you be making any this holiday season?
Published: Sep 14, 2015 03:28 pm