Don the Baker helps students create 125 gingerbread houses

Over the past 15 years, Cakes by the Lake owner and baker Don Ewing, has donated the parts to help students at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School make about 1,800 gingerbread houses. That means, he's used one ton of sugar, 1,440 cups of molasses and 11,100 egg whites to help the school's fifth graders raise money for their annual fifth grade field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science and the Marine Science Institute.

On December 8, 2015, Ewing helped 50 fifth-graders assemble 125 gingerbread houses at the school. Since he stated in 2001, Ewing has helped the students raise over $45,000, and all he asks for in return is for the students to donate two decorated houses to Barton Health.

Here is Don's ingredient list for 125 gingerbread houses:

142 cups of sugar
96 cups of molasses
48 cups of shortening
46 tablespoons salt
52 tablespoons baking soda
180 tablespoons ground ginger
240 eggs
48 cups of milk
654 cups of flour
348 cups powdered sugar
740 fresh egg whites
2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice

When Ewing was the pastry chef at Caesars Tahoe he created whole gingerbread villages that were on display at the resort during the holidays.

Stop by his bakery Wednesday through Sunday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. for your own gingerbread house or gingerbread men (or any of the other tasty treats he creates daily). Cakes by the Lake is located at 661 Emerald Bay Road adjacent to Jalapenos Taqueria.