West Essex High School Students Create Gingerbread Houses

Students in Caren Maw's Culinary II class used everything from pretzels and gum drops to peppermints and Fruit Loops to decorate their gingerbread houses.

Students will receive a project grade for their work and get to take them home for the holiday. Some students said they plan to eat their creations while others said they will use them as holiday table centerpieces.

"This is exciting," said D.J. Hamker of Fairfield as he put the finishing touches on his gum drop roof. "It's really getting me in the Christmas spirit."

Emmalee McDonough said she will use her house as holiday decorations at home. "It's pretty hard," the Lake Hiawatha student said. "You have to cut it out and then after you bake it cut it out again so it all fits together nicely."

Jackie Rovet of Essex Fells used Smarties, gum drops, mints, pretzels, licorice and candy canes to make her house.

"I love all of the different foods that I get to use," she said.