Robo-Prep!

Gingerbread House Recipe!
Ingredients:
-2 Cups All Purpose Flour
-3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
-1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
-1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
-1/4 Teaspoon Salt
-1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature
-1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
-1/2 Cup Light Molasses
-1 Egg, Room Temperature
-1/3 Cup Honey
-3/4 Cup Chopped Candied Ginger

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two large baking sheets.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in molasses, egg, and honey.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture, and beat until fully combined.
6. Stir in the chopped candied ginger.
7. Scoop spoonfuls of the dough onto the greased baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
9. Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheets.
10. Assemble the cookies into a house using a royal icing or melted chocolate.

Best Paired with: Moscato d’Asti

Descriptive Paragraph:

Origin of Gingerbread House Recipe

The origin of gingerbread house recipes can be traced back to the medieval era in Europe, where the German and British cultures combined baking and confectionery with architecture and art. The first gingerbread houses are said to have been created in Germany in the early 16th century, inspired by the Brothers Grimm story, Hansel and Gretel. Since then, the tradition of constructing gingerbread houses as Christmas decorations has gained popularity throughout Europe, as well as in the United States.

Popularization of Gingerbread House Recipe

In the 1800s, German immigrants in America, introduced the tradition of gingerbread houses to North American culture. As the recipe and techniques for making gingerbread houses began to be passed down through generations, they grew in popularity. By the mid-1900s, gingerbread houses had become a popular craft and hobby amongst all ages, and gingerbread house making kits began to appear.

Gingerbread House Recipe Today

Today, gingerbread house recipes are still popular in North America, and can also be found in Scandinavian and South American countries. Every Christmas season, gingerbread house making kits, ingredients and decorations are sold in stores, and gingerbread house decorating parties are popular amongst both adults and children.

Interesting Facts About the Gingerbread House Recipe

Gingerbread houses are traditionally made from a type of sweet bread called “lebkuchen”. This type of bread is made from a mixture of honey, nuts and spices, and was formerly known as “honey bread”. While the bread is usually left undecorated, it can be further embellished with icing and other finishing touches.

The most impressive gingerbread house ever made was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The structure was made in Ontario, Canada by volunteers during an 11 day building period, and measured 31.7 feet in length, 8.9 feet wide and 11 feet high. It weighed over 10,000 pounds and was estimated to contain over 10 million calories.

Conclusion

Gingerbread house recipe is steeped in history, and is still a beloved tradition today. Every year, people around the world create festive, elaborate gingerbread houses as a fun Christmas craft. With thanks to interesting facts like the massive Guinness World Record holder, gingerbread houses will continue to fascinate and delight people for many years to come.

References:
Gingerbread
Gingerbread House