A cake designer re-created the 'Home Alone' house in gingerbread to mark the movie's 30th anniversary

Lauren EdmondsDec 24, 2020, 00:38 IST

Cake designer Michelle Wibowo works on her gingerbread version of the McCallister house.Taylor Herring

Michelle Wibowo, an award-winning artist and cake designer, created a gingerbread replica of Kevin McCallister's house from "Home Alone."
The replica took more than 300 hours to complete and was commissioned by Disney+ to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary.
Wibowo's creation included 63 trees, 33 windows, 14 pizza boxes, and six lamp posts.
Miniature versions of the characters, including Kevin McCallister and the "Wet Bandits," can be found on the set.
The McCallisters' edible home is currently at Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden in Surrey, where it's being displayed for pediatric patients and their families to create holiday memories together.

"Home Alone" is a wacky and endearing cinematic classic that has become synonymous with Christmastime.

The beloved John Hughes film has heralded the holiday season since it was first released in November 1990 and has continued to enchant viewers in the three decades since.

The film follows 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, whose family mistakenly leaves him behind when they vacation in Paris. While alone, the young boy is forced to defend the McCallisters' Chicago home from two bungling burglars.

The film, which is the highest-grossing domestic comedy of all time, turned 30 this year, and award-winning food artist Michelle Wibowo celebrated by creating an incredibly detailed gingerbread replica of the McCallister home.

The stunning edible masterpiece took more than 300 hours to complete and was commissioned by Disney+ as the streaming service marks its first Christmas in the UK, according to a press release shared with Insider.

A replica of the McCallister family home that was featured in "Home Alone." Taylor Herring

The stunning edible masterpiece took more than 300 hours to complete and was commissioned by Disney+ as the streaming service marks its first Christmas in the UK, according to a press release shared with Insider.

Cake designer Michelle Wibowo began her design process by studying the architecture of the red-brick Colonial home found in Winnetka, Illinois, around 20 miles from Chicago.

Disney+ commissioned Wibowo to construct the edible set for the film's 30th anniversary. Taylor Herring

Cake designer Michelle Wibowo began her design process by studying the architecture of the red-brick Colonial home found in Winnetka, Illinois, around 20 miles from Chicago.

Wibowo, a sugar artist and cake sculptor, said in the press release that eagle-eyed fans can find "lots and lots of details" from the first "Home Alone" film incorporated into the replica.

Wibowo's gingerbread version of the McCallister house from "Home Alone" is incredibly detailed. Taylor Herring

Wibowo, a sugar artist and cake sculptor, said in the press release that eagle-eyed fans can find "lots and lots of details" from the first "Home Alone" film incorporated into the replica.

She sketched designs of her favorite features, baked the gingerbread, and meticulously re-created the famous McCallister home from the bottom up.

The "Home Alone" gingerbread house is five feet tall and four feet wide. Taylor Herring

"I jumped at the chance because it is one of my favorite Christmas movies - it doesn't really feel like Christmas in our house until we have seen it at least twice!" Wilbowo said. "I hope everyone will enjoy spotting iconic details from the movie!"

Michelle Wibowo re-created several fan-favorite moments from the blockbuster film. Taylor Herring

"I jumped at the chance because it is one of my favorite Christmas movies - it doesn't really feel like Christmas in our house until we have seen it at least twice!" Wilbowo said. "I hope everyone will enjoy spotting iconic details from the movie!"

Fans can even spot a replica of Kevin McCallister face-deep in a snowbank, referencing the iconic scene where he went sledding down the home's staircase and catapulted out the front door.

The hilarious scene from "Home Alone" when Kevin McCallister rode his sled and got stuck in a snowbank was re-created in the replica. Taylor Herring

Fans can even spot a replica of Kevin McCallister face-deep in a snowbank, referencing the iconic scene where he went sledding down the home's staircase and catapulted out the front door.

A Little Nero's Pizza delivery car was placed in the snow-lined driveway, and Wibowo created 14 pizza boxes in tribute to the McCallister family's favorite pizza joint.

Little Nero's Pizza made an appearance in the "Home Alone" gingerbread creation. Taylor Herring

The infamous "Oh-Kay Plumbing & Heating" van that belonged to the "Wet Bandits" is near-identical to the original with the exact logo and same fake phone number.

The "Oh-Kay Plumbing & Heating" van was driven by the two "Home Alone" burglars, Harry and Marv. Taylor Herring

Miniature versions of the Wet Bandits appeared near the gingerbread's side door, with Joe Pesci's character Harry covered in feathers from one of the film's most memorable pranks.

Harry Lime, one half of the Wet Bandits duo, was played by Joe Pesci. Taylor Herring

Miniature versions of the Wet Bandits appeared near the gingerbread's side door, with Joe Pesci's character Harry covered in feathers from one of the film's most memorable pranks.

Harry's partner Marv, played by Daniel Stern, lies on the ground with a tarantula on his face after running into Buzz McCallister's favorite pet.

Marv Merchants, the other half of Wet Bandits, was played by Daniel Stern in "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York." Taylor Herring

An icing figure of Kevin's neighbor Old Man Marley, played by Roberts Blossom, appears near the McCallisters' garage with his trusty snow shovel.

Much of the gingerbread set has Easter eggs from the original movie, including a handful of timeless characters. Taylor Herring

Wibowo also paid homage to Kevin's outlandish booby traps by placing the two paint cans he used to outwit the Wet Bandits over the cookie-themed front door.

Kevin McCallister's many antics and booby traps helped audiences fall in love with the Christmas movie. Taylor Herring

Fans will spot Kevin's treehouse, a safe haven the character escaped to during his Christmas Eve battle against Harry and Marv.

The replica incorporated the rope Kevin used as a makeshift zipline during his clash with Harry and Marv. Taylor Herring

Wibowo even took time to include the small tire swing tied to a low branch.

A edible version of the "Home Alone" treehouse where Kevin McCallister pulled off some of his more daring maneuvers. Taylor Herring

The amazing replica includes an array of Christmas decorations like lights, bows, and the elaborate wreath shown in the film.

Just like the original "Home Alone," the gingerbread replica has a Christmas-themed wreath with Santa Clause's face positioned in the center. Taylor Herring

And Wibowo added the statue in the front garden that is continually knocked down by at least three vehicles throughout the film - twice by the Little Nero's delivery man and once by the airport shuttle crew.

Wibowo adds some finishing touches to the "snow"-covered home. Taylor Herring

And Wibowo added the statue in the front garden that is continually knocked down by at least three vehicles throughout the film - twice by the Little Nero's delivery man and once by the airport shuttle crew.

In total, the "Home Alone" house gingerbread replica included 63 trees, 33 windows, 14 pizza boxes, and six lamp posts.

Many of the windows were lined with replica Christmas lights that extended to McCallisters front yard and into the treetops. Taylor Herring

Luke Bradley-Jones, General Manager of Disney+ in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, said he's still fond of the "Home Alone" franchise after three decades.

Wibowo's "Home Alone" design comes 30 years after the film was initially released in theaters and received two Academy Award nominations. Taylor Herring

The "Home Alone" gingerbread house is currently at the Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden in Surrey, a county in southeast England.

Wibowo spent 300 hours on the gingerbread house. Taylor Herring

The food art is on display for pediatric patients and their families to create holiday memories together.

In total, there are 63 trees, 14 pizza boxes and six lamp posts. Taylor Herring

The “Home Alone” franchise was so popular that it spawned two sequels and rocketed Macaulay Culkin into international stardom at the age of 10.

Wibowo working on details for her "Home Alone" gingerbread house. Taylor Herring

He won Best Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture at the 1991 Young Artists Awards, and "Home Alone" itself was nominated for two Academy Awards, according to IMDB.

"Home Alone" emerged as a Christmas classic after its initial release in the early 1990s. Taylor Herring

In an interview with Insider's Jason Guerrasio, director Chris Columbus revealed that Culkin improvised the hysterical screaming face moment.

Even the gingerbread home's door knob was meticulously detailed. Taylor Herring

Columbus called it the "iconic moment" from the film. "So my direction to him was when you pat your face, move your hands and scream. And I think it was the first take, he kept his hands on his cheeks. We all started laughing hysterically," said Columbus.

Kevin's reaction to patting on aftershave is one of the movie's most memorable moments. Fox

Columbus called it the "iconic moment" from the film. "So my direction to him was when you pat your face, move your hands and scream. And I think it was the first take, he kept his hands on his cheeks. We all started laughing hysterically," said Columbus.

According to "The Movies That Made Us," as reported by Insider, John Hughes wrote the "Home Alone" script with Culkin in mind after watching the young actor star as Miles Russell in "Uncle Buck."

This bird's-eye view of the gingerbread replica shows off Wibowo's attention to detail. Taylor Herring

According to "The Movies That Made Us," as reported by Insider, John Hughes wrote the "Home Alone" script with Culkin in mind after watching the young actor star as Miles Russell in "Uncle Buck."

Although a clear Christmas staple, Culkin previously said that he has trouble watching "Home Alone" during a 2018 interview with Ellen DeGeneres.

Macaulay Culkin and his younger brother, Kieran Culkin. Dave Benett/Getty Images

"Home Alone" has raked in nearly $477 million worldwide since its release, according to IMDB.

"Home Alone" was a cinematic smash that has continued to delight new and old generations Taylor Herring

I made Disney's giant chocolate-chip Num Num Cookies, and they're so good I'll be baking them again

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

A cake designer re-created the 'Home Alone' house in gingerbread to mark the movie's 30th anniversary

The stunning edible masterpiece took more than 300 hours to complete and was commissioned by Disney+ as the streaming service marks its first Christmas in the UK, according to a press release shared with Insider.

Cake designer Michelle Wibowo began her design process by studying the architecture of the red-brick Colonial home found in Winnetka, Illinois, around 20 miles from Chicago.

Wibowo, a sugar artist and cake sculptor, said in the press release that eagle-eyed fans can find "lots and lots of details" from the first "Home Alone" film incorporated into the replica.

She sketched designs of her favorite features, baked the gingerbread, and meticulously re-created the famous McCallister home from the bottom up.

"I jumped at the chance because it is one of my favorite Christmas movies - it doesn't really feel like Christmas in our house until we have seen it at least twice!" Wilbowo said. "I hope everyone will enjoy spotting iconic details from the movie!"

Fans can even spot a replica of Kevin McCallister face-deep in a snowbank, referencing the iconic scene where he went sledding down the home's staircase and catapulted out the front door.

A Little Nero's Pizza delivery car was placed in the snow-lined driveway, and Wibowo created 14 pizza boxes in tribute to the McCallister family's favorite pizza joint.

The infamous "Oh-Kay Plumbing & Heating" van that belonged to the "Wet Bandits" is near-identical to the original with the exact logo and same fake phone number.

Miniature versions of the Wet Bandits appeared near the gingerbread's side door, with Joe Pesci's character Harry covered in feathers from one of the film's most memorable pranks.

Harry's partner Marv, played by Daniel Stern, lies on the ground with a tarantula on his face after running into Buzz McCallister's favorite pet.

An icing figure of Kevin's neighbor Old Man Marley, played by Roberts Blossom, appears near the McCallisters' garage with his trusty snow shovel.

Wibowo also paid homage to Kevin's outlandish booby traps by placing the two paint cans he used to outwit the Wet Bandits over the cookie-themed front door.

Fans will spot Kevin's treehouse, a safe haven the character escaped to during his Christmas Eve battle against Harry and Marv.

Wibowo even took time to include the small tire swing tied to a low branch.

The amazing replica includes an array of Christmas decorations like lights, bows, and the elaborate wreath shown in the film.

And Wibowo added the statue in the front garden that is continually knocked down by at least three vehicles throughout the film - twice by the Little Nero's delivery man and once by the airport shuttle crew.

In total, the "Home Alone" house gingerbread replica included 63 trees, 33 windows, 14 pizza boxes, and six lamp posts.

Luke Bradley-Jones, General Manager of Disney+ in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, said he's still fond of the "Home Alone" franchise after three decades.

The "Home Alone" gingerbread house is currently at the Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden in Surrey, a county in southeast England.

The food art is on display for pediatric patients and their families to create holiday memories together.

The “Home Alone” franchise was so popular that it spawned two sequels and rocketed Macaulay Culkin into international stardom at the age of 10.

He won Best Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture at the 1991 Young Artists Awards, and "Home Alone" itself was nominated for two Academy Awards, according to IMDB.

In an interview with Insider's Jason Guerrasio, director Chris Columbus revealed that Culkin improvised the hysterical screaming face moment.

Columbus called it the "iconic moment" from the film. "So my direction to him was when you pat your face, move your hands and scream. And I think it was the first take, he kept his hands on his cheeks. We all started laughing hysterically," said Columbus.

According to "The Movies That Made Us," as reported by Insider, John Hughes wrote the "Home Alone" script with Culkin in mind after watching the young actor star as Miles Russell in "Uncle Buck."

Although a clear Christmas staple, Culkin previously said that he has trouble watching "Home Alone" during a 2018 interview with Ellen DeGeneres.

"Home Alone" has raked in nearly $477 million worldwide since its release, according to IMDB.