JUNE 5, 2014 – NATIONAL GINGERBREAD DAY

                      NATIONAL GINGERBREAD DAY

Many people are familiar with the “gingerbread house” at Christmas time however there are some delicious gingerbread “bread”, cake, bars, biscuit and cookie recipes that are perfect to be made any time of the year.  Each year on June 5, gingerbread lovers across the nation celebrate National Gingerbread Day, a day that was created to bring attention to gingerbread.

The term “gingerbread” originally referred to preserved ginger, later referring to a confection made up of honey and spices. 

Gingerbread is a sweet food that typically uses honey or molasses rather than just sugar and is flavored with ginger.  The gingerbread foods range from a soft, moist loaf cake to something closer to a ginger biscuit.
It is believed that gingerbread was first brought to Europe in 992 by an Armenian monk.  He lived there for 7 years teaching gingerbread cooking to the French priests and Christians until his death in 999.

Sources indicate that in 1444, Swedish nuns were
baking gingerbread to ease indigestion.

In the 17th century, gingerbread biscuits were sold in monasteries, pharmacies and town square farmers markets.   During the 18th century, gingerbread became widely available.
Following are a few “tried and true” gingerbread recipes for you to enjoy!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/favorite-old-fashioned-gingerbread/
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Gingerbread-Pancakes-3
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Gingerbread-Cupcakes-2