My first real experience with gingerbread construction took place during my college years. I had just moved into an apartment with two other unknown roommates and was immediately informed that I would be under strict obligation to assemble a gingerbread house during the winter break. I hastily agreed and went to work on my first semester in college under the reign of my self-appointed head roommate.

Winter break came quickly, and so did my assigned task. My roommate came home one day carrying all sorts of grocery bags full of various candies and sweet ingredients. She unpacked the bags and began baking. Our apartment emanated the sweet scent of gingerbread for days. The pieces were cut for a rustic log cabin with a rock fireplace, a detailed steam train and a primitive fence fancied together with pretzel sticks and white icing glue. We worked tirelessly for days. I would break to go to my part-time job, only to return home to continue construction. My back ached from long hours leaning over the table. My hands shook from painstakingly, yet perfectly, placing every icicle, roof tile, and door handle onto my masterpiece. It was an arduous yet fulfilling task.

Looking back, it is ironic to note that only during my college years did I find time to erect such an architectural wonder. Since that time, I have only attempted to glue together prefab structures adorned with the 12 pieces of candy included with the kit. However, always the one to question the value of any type of real estate, I began to wonder what it would cost to construct a 3,000-square-foot home out of gingerbread.

Depending on the brand of ingredients that are being used, including the store in which they were purchased, this size of home would cost approximately $78,526 to build. Of course, that doesn’t include the land or any of the proper infrastructure. This is only for the gingerbread. It would take exactly 11,060 batches of mix, which would include 5,530 cups of butter, 5,530 cups of brown sugar, 2,765 cups of molasses, 11,060 teaspoons of cinnamon, 16,590 teaspoons of ginger, 11,060 teaspoons of cloves, 22,120 teaspoons of baking soda and 22,120 cups flour. There will be no HVAC system, indoor plumbing or water. For this reason, it will need to be zoned for a cabin-type construction. There will need to be an exterior outhouse and access to either a well or a stream. This also does not include the mortar or “chinking,” which would need to be facilitated with the additional cost of egg whites and powdered sugar. If windows are desirable, which they often are just to prevent critters (such as bears, mountain lions or racoons, since this structure is likely in the forest), rain or snow from entering the cabin, then a good chunk of cash will need to go out this same window for the purchase of isomalt, the sugary substance that makes a smooth glass-like texture when used correctly. In fact, the cost of this type of glass would be as much as the real stuff, about $9,000.

Once the time for labor is factored in — about nine months for a crew of four to seven people working five to six nine-hour shifts per week — the cost of a proper gingerbread cabin, with land, would far outweigh the price of real brick and mortar. As for resale? I can only speak to the sugar-free type of construction … almost always more than what you paid for it. This year, I’m building a teepee for Christmas.

Jen Fischer is an associate broker and Realtor. She can be reached at 801-645-2134 or jen@jen-fischer.com.