Royal Oak Baker's Work Is Icing on the Cake at Gingerbread House Event

A Dr. Seuss-themed cake crafted by Julie Allen of the in Royal Oak took top honors from the judges at the fourth annual Gingerbread House Brunch at the in Bloomfield Hills on Friday.

The event showcased dozens of local bakers whose elaborate creations astonished the crowd and built excitement for the holidays. The gingerbread houses, cakes and other centerpieces were auctioned off with proceeds benefiting restoration of the historic in Bloomfield Hills. A few of the auctioned items were donated to local charities and hospitals.

A baker for nearly four decades, Allen said she toiled between 50 and 60 hours to pull the three-dimensional display together.

"I wanted it to look like a pop-up book that just came out at you when you opened it," said Allen, whose won the top honor a prior gingerbread brunches. "I did the pieces and just hoped it all went together."

The results did not go unnoticed by attendees who crowded around the creation for pictures before and after the meal was served.

"It's just beautifully executed and is pure art," raved Barb Williams of Bloomfield Township.