7 Astounding, Award-Winning Gingerbread Houses

Donna Rorabaugh of Rochester Hills, Michigan, likes to think outside the baker's toolbox when creating her National Gingerbread House competition entries: She uses everything from a X-Acto knife for detailing to sandpaper for smoothing. Every year she takes a week off from work to complete her edible construction project. This fantastical castle incorporates not only gingerbread, but also rice crispy treats and pieces of breakaway chocolate. To finish the piece, Rorabaugh used a wood rasp for beveling corners to allow for a snug fit.