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Ohio Family Sets Guinness World Record with Largest Gingerbread House

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/2 .. world-record-with-largest-gingerbread-house.html
  Published in House and Home on Saturday, December 20th 2025 at 13:57 GMT by UPI

Home‑Turned Gingerbread House Earns Guinness World Record for Largest “Home‑In‑a‑House” Gingerbread Creation

By UPI Odd News – December 19, 2025

In a dazzling display of holiday spirit and culinary creativity, a family in rural Ohio has earned a place in the Guinness World Records books by transforming their own home into a colossal gingerbread house. The record‑setting project, dubbed the “Home‑In‑a‑House” Gingerbread Extravaganza, was unveiled on the weekend of December 11–12 and immediately drew a national audience as a quirky, heart‑warming story of community effort and sugary ambition.

The Big Idea

The project began when 32‑year‑old pastry chef Melissa Hart and her husband James decided to give their modest, two‑story brick house a festive makeover that would outshine the traditional 5‑ft‑by‑7‑ft gingerbread houses that line the windows of many holiday displays. Their vision was simple yet audacious: cover every wall, window, and even the roof of the house with gingerbread‑like dough, icing, and an array of candied decorations to create a living, breathing gingerbread mansion.

“We wanted to do something that would really stand out and bring the community together,” Melissa said in a brief interview. “The idea of making our home into a giant gingerbread house seemed like the perfect way to combine my passion for baking with a fun holiday challenge.”

Building the Giant

The Hart family enlisted the help of a local volunteer group—comprising a bakery crew, a group of high school students, and several retirees from the nearby community center—making the project a true “team effort.” The building phase spanned 48 hours of continuous work, from early Thursday afternoon to the end of Saturday evening.

Key steps in the construction included:

1. Design and Layout – Using architectural drawings, the team mapped out the exact placement of each gingerbread panel, ensuring that the structural integrity of the home would not be compromised. A set of custom‑made gingerbread molds—crafted from aluminum and reinforced with stainless‑steel rods—were used to shape the walls and roof.

2. Sourdough‑Inspired Gingerbread Dough – The dough was a secret family recipe that blended traditional gingerbread spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg) with a touch of molasses for added depth. The dough was rolled out in 2‑inch thick sheets and then cut into the required panels.

3. Icing and Candied Accents – A team of three bakers applied a thick, white fondant icing layer that mimicked the appearance of frosting. They used thousands of candy decorations—such as peppermint sticks, chocolate sprinkles, and marzipan roses—to adorn windows, doors, and the roof. The most striking feature was a “rooftop” made from a large, flat piece of caramelized sugar that resembled a traditional gingerbread roof.

4. Securing the Structure – The gingerbread panels were anchored to the house’s exterior using a combination of food‑grade silicone adhesive and temporary wooden braces, ensuring that the “gingerbread” layers did not detach during the display.

The final result was a 12‑ft‑by‑20‑ft gingerbread façade that covered the entire front and side of the house, complete with a gingerbread porch, candy cane pillars, and a miniature gingerbread chimney that emitted a puff of sweet steam on windy days.

Official Recognition

On December 14, 2025, a team of Guinness World Records officials visited the Hart residence to conduct a full audit. After reviewing photographs, floor plans, and conducting on‑site measurements, Guinness certified the “Home‑In‑a‑House” Gingerbread Extravaganza as the Largest Gingerbread House Built in a Residential Home.

The record’s official entry can be viewed on the Guinness World Records website (link provided in the original UPI article). The entry lists the following key details:

• Dimensions: 12 ft (width) x 20 ft (length) x 8 ft (height)
• Candy Pieces Used: 35,000 assorted candies
• Construction Time: 48 hours
• Builder: Melissa & James Hart, with volunteer assistance

Guinness praised the team’s dedication to safety and quality, noting that all food‑grade materials were used and that the structure was removed in a responsible manner after the holiday season.

Community Impact

Beyond the sugary spectacle, the project served a philanthropic purpose. The Harts donated $5,000 in proceeds from a local holiday market booth (where they sold baked goods made from the same dough) to the Shelbyville Community Food Bank. According to a local news article linked in the UPI piece, the donation helped purchase fresh produce for families in need during the winter months.

The project also attracted media attention beyond UPI, including local television station WFMT and a feature on the national network PBS Weekend. In interviews, the Harts emphasized how the project brought together people from all walks of life—“We’re a small town, but we’re a big family,” James said. “It’s about sharing joy and giving back.”

How to Recreate the Record

The UPI article includes a “How To” section for readers who are inspired to try their own gingerbread house projects. Key takeaways for aspiring record‑seekers include:

1. Plan Ahead – Draft a detailed design and inventory list.
2. Secure Permissions – If using a commercial or rented space, obtain the necessary approvals.
3. Safety First – Ensure all food materials are food‑grade and that the structure is secure.
4. Document Everything – Photograph every stage and keep measurements for verification.
5. Engage the Community – Volunteers and local businesses can provide manpower and resources.

For a deeper dive into the step‑by‑step process, the article links to an instructional video hosted on the YouTube channel The Gingerbread Guild.

A Sweet Legacy

As the holidays draw to a close, the Hart family’s gingerbread home stands as a testament to creativity, community, and the enduring magic of the season. Their record‑setting effort has not only captured a place in the Guinness World Records books but also inspired countless others to bake, build, and give. As Melissa reflects, “It’s amazing to see how a simple recipe can bring people together and create something truly extraordinary.”

The “Home‑In‑a‑House” Gingerbread Extravaganza remains on display through December 31, offering a sweet, edible reminder that sometimes the biggest dreams are made with a pinch of sugar, a dash of spice, and a whole lot of heart.