Guinness certifies world's largest gingerbread house built in Bryan

The Guinness Book of World Records representative gives a thumbs up in Bryan on Saturday. (Texas A&M Traditions Club photos) The Guinness Book of World Records representative gives a thumbs up in Bryan on Saturday. (Texas A&M Traditions Club photos) Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Guinness certifies world's largest gingerbread house built in Bryan 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

The new world record for largest gingerbread house ever made was set in Bryan this weekend.

The Guinness Book of World Records team was there Saturday afternoon to verify the record-breaking 39,202 cubic-foot structure. The previous record holder was 36,000 cubic feet and was built inside the Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minn.



The house in Bryan is 65 feet by 45 feet. The builders actually built it an inch bigger than expected, pushing it over just a tad more. This one scored extra points with the Guinness people for being built outside in the elements, and in Texas no less.



Built by the Texas A&M Traditions Club, the house took nearly a month to build. It was constructed using 1,800 pounds of butter, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour and close to 3,000 pounds of brown sugar. Add to this the 22,000 piece of candy that are attached to it.



That's a lot of empty calories -- 36 million to be exact, according to Bill Horton, Traditions Club manager. The house is built on the site of the country club in AggieLand, which has lodging and a golf course on the grounds.



The area was sprayed for ants and other pests. Bees became to be attracted to the dwelling along the way too, and arrived during the day to get drunk on sugar.



A team of bakers, artists, and homebuilders chipped in their time for the cause. Bunker sand was used on the ground outside to mimic the look of snow.



What does it smell like inside?



"It smells like ginger of course," laughs Horton.



The wood and the electrical components built into the house are planned to be reused by local charities, according to Horton.



"The weather didn't cooperate with us until the past week," says Horton. The current warmer temperatures and humidity won't help either.



The house will be up until Dec. 14 and open from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, with Santa Claus hanging around for photo ops. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for kids.

The candy should have a second life, according to Horton.

"The candy that is still wrapped can still be used," said Horton. He thinks that a hog farm or two would be interested in the sugary, gingerbread rubble.



Horton said that he did catch a few people eating on the job.



The proceeds from the visitors will be going to the St. Joseph hospital trauma center. Most all of the components were donated to the projects, with the exception of some of the electrical items.



So far, the house has raised around $150,000 for the hospital, with 12 more days left on the schedule.