December 12 marks one of the unusual «tasty» holidays dedicated to confectionery, – Gingerbread House Day. Decorated with multi-colored glaze, cream and various sweets, such «buildings» are immediately associated with the winter holiday season.
Gingerbread House Day, like many culinary dates, traces its history back to the United States, but is now popular in many countries, since these baked goods have already become a favorite attribute of Christmas and New Year, regardless of the established traditions of different nations. But it is traditionally prepared from butter dough with the addition of ginger. By the way, according to historians, people have been using crushed ginger as a seasoning since ancient times. Moreover, not only the original taste and wonderful aroma of ginger are valued, but also its beneficial properties for the human body – improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and strengthening the immune system. In addition, the baked goods to which ginger is added remain fresh longer and do not stale.
It is also believed that the very tradition of «building houses» from dough dates back to the times of Ancient Rome, where residents built similar dwellings from dough for the gods, and then ate these houses after celebrations. The appearance of the first gingerbread cookies dates back to the 10th-11th centuries. According to one version, they appeared in Europe in 992, thanks to Armenian monks. According to other sources, they began to be baked in the 13th century in the territory of modern Germany and Poland, and in the 16th century, gingerbread men, which even the English Queen Elizabeth I loved to enjoy, gained great popularity. They say that as a gift to foreign ambassadors, she gave gingerbread cookies with her own portrait.
It is believed that German bakers especially succeeded in «» in gingerbread making. Thus, in Germany, already in the 15th century, the first guild of gingerbread bakers was founded, whose profession was considered very prestigious. By the 18th century, gingerbread cookies were already baked throughout Europe and on many holidays, and had different sizes, shapes and decorations. They were sold in bakeries, special shops and at various fairs.
It is not surprising that the tradition of the gingerbread house is also attributed to Germany, where such baked goods appeared in the 1800s during the Christmas holidays, and became especially popular after the release of the first edition of the famous fairy tale «Hansel and Gretel» in 1812. It is a German folktale recorded and published by the Brothers Grimm, in which a man-eating witch lures her brother and sister into a thicket of forest into her home made of gingerbread and sweets. But thanks to resourcefulness, the children were saved from her captivity.
The fairy tale was very loved by German children and their parents, and gingerbread houses became a symbol of family Christmas holidays not only in Germany and neighboring countries, but also in the New World, where they ended up with German immigrants. Since then, this tradition has been practiced in many countries, creating an atmosphere of celebration and magic. And not only « houses get all the laurels». Gingerbread men, deer, snowflakes, Christmas trees, birds... decorate shop windows, houses, Christmas trees and fireplaces.
In Russia, gingerbread houses have also become very popular, especially in the pre-New Year period, becoming part of the festive decor and part of New Year's gifts. Russian people have always been famous for their breadth of soul, and the gingerbread house has become a symbol of comfort and hospitality.
Therefore, in honor of today's date, everyone can create their own gingerbread house (or even palace!), as they say – « from zero», by preparing dough, molasses, syrup and jewelry.. or using ready-made sets that are sold in stores and include pre-baked gingerbread, glaze, chocolate and jewelry elements. It all depends on your skills, desire and skill!
And remember, a gingerbread house doesn't have to be perfect, it could be a house, a hut, a castle or any other building. The main thing – is the soul of the house, the feelings and warmth with which you created it. Therefore, «building» can be organized with family or friends. After all, what could be more interesting and soulful on the eve of New Year’s celebrations than to spend creative time with loved ones, giving free rein to your imagination…