More than 150 entries were presented at the 2014 National Gingerbread House Competition at The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., but only 12 walked away with honors in the Adult, Teen, Youth and Child categories. Why so many submissions? Well, for one, the rewards were no small cookies: the Adult Grand Prize Winner took home winnings valued at more than $7,500. But beyond earning bragging rights, participants also all share a passion for fantastical, edible creations. Click through to see original arrangements of everything from castles to tree trunks and more.

Child: Third Place 

Briley Ervin from Greenback, Tennessee.