Gingerbread

Gingerbread refers to a broad category of baked goods, typically flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, or cinnamon and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses. Gingerbread foods range from a soft, moist loaf cake to something close to a ginger biscuit.

History

The term "gingerbread" comes from the Old French gingebras, meaning "preserved ginger". The first known recipe for gingerbread comes from Greece in 2400 BC. Chinese recipes were developed during the 10th century and by the late Middle Ages, Europeans had their own version of gingerbread. The hard cookies, sometimes gilded with gold leaf and shaped like animals, kings and queens, were a staple at Medieval fairs in England, France, Holland, and Germany.

Ingredients and Preparation

Gingerbread is made with variations of the following ingredients: ginger, flour, butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, cloves, salt, baking soda, and eggs. The dough is often rolled out and cut into shapes, which are then baked.

Cultural Significance

Gingerbread has a significant place in the culture and tradition of many countries. In England, gingerbread has been a popular treat since the Middle Ages, while in Germany, gingerbread cookies called Lebkuchen have been a traditional part of Christmas celebrations for centuries. In North America, the tradition of making gingerbread houses was brought by German immigrants and has become a popular Christmas tradition.

See Also

• Gingerbread house
• Gingerbread man
• Lebkuchen
• Parkin
• Pfeffernüsse