The date when the first gingerbread was made is obscure, with some sources crediting it to the Greeks about 5,000 years ago and others dating it only as far back as the Middle Ages. It is agreed, nonetheless, that this early gingerbread was made of honey, flour, and ginger and probably resembled a bread more than a cake. Gingerbread was one of the awards given to medieval British knights for winning a tournament, and gingerbread stalls were one of the attractions at the fairs of this period.
One of the special holiday foods of the Middle Ages was gingerbread molded into fancy shapes. Some of these molds of men, birds, animals, and alphabet letters have survived and are now museum pieces. The importance of the occasion dictated the size of the gingerbread, with some weighing 150 pounds. For example, in 1672, the birth of Peter the Great of Russia was celebrated with huge gingerbread in various shapes depicting Russian symbols and landmarks.
Gingerbread was one of the desserts served by the early American settlers. In fact, George Washington's mother often served gingerbread to famous guests.
Although much of this early gingerbread resembled cookies rather than the cake like gingerbread of today, during the early 1800s, soft gingerbread gained in popularity. In New England, gingerbread became one of the traditional foods at the annual military Training Day. Gingerbread was one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite desserts.
One of the first mixes, gingerbread mix was marketed in the United States in 1929.
Today, whether homemade or made from a mix, gingerbread is a family favorite. Serve it piping hot with a generous spoonful of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a fruit sauce, as a dessert. Or serve it warm with butter as a delicious lunch or supper bread to delight all members of your family.
