Hey everyone and welcome back to Bec’s baking corner where I teach you how to make the most delicious baked goods! Just kidding! This week I have been inspired by gingerbread, a longstanding holiday treat with the added bonus of being mini edible works of art.
Going back in time, ginger root was cultivated in China where it was used for medicinal practices and spread to Europe through the Silk Road. In Europe during the Middle Ages, ginger was favored due to its ability to mask the taste of preserved meats, not necessarily for its use in baked goods. Surprisingly, the first known recipe for gingerbread came from Greece in 2400 BC, with Chinese recipes being developed during the 10th century and Europeans creating their own by the late Middle Ages.
Gingerbread was originally hard cookies cut in the shape of animals, kings, and queens with the occasional gold leaf decoration and were a staple during festivals which eventually became known as Gingerbread Fairs. Unlike modern times where gingerbread is more or less strictly a winter treat, gingerbread was an all-year endeavor with the shapes of the cookies changing seasonally.
Of course, gingerbread men and animals aren’t the only spectacular displays of this sweet treat, gingerbread houses were first made in Germany during the 16th Century. These houses, much like the men and animals made from hard cookies, the walls and roof were decorated with gold leaf and foil and became closely associated with Christmas. The popularity of the gingerbread house rose thanks to a little story called Hansel and Gretel; you know about the witch that eats children in a fun little gingerbread house? I wonder why scary things make cute things so popular, is it supposed to be like reverse psychology?
Anyway, here we are, fast forward and cross the sea to America! The gingerbread cookie has just come on the scene thanks to settlers in the New World. The consistency changed and became softer, less likely to break your teeth and more enjoyable in my opinion. I guess crispy cookie people would disagree but to each their own! Since then, gingerbread has continued to persist and is still a staple in many countries. Why not try your hand out making them from scratch? If you’re feeling brave you could try a house, maybe break the Guinness record. You just need to build a house larger than the previous record of 60 feet long, 42 feet wide and over 20 feet at its highest point!
