Planning begins each July for the gingerbread house, with crews baking 4-by-12 ... including gumdrops, candy canes, Hershey’s Miniatures bars, Peeps and colorful strands of Nerds Rope.

Because of its size, Hershey's house needs a little more support than a typical gingerbread creation. Under the candy sits a plywood frame and a tough board wrap that allows crafters to nail candy ...