16 Ways to Enjoy Gingerbread Cookies, Cakes, and More
Whether you’re planning to erect candy-coated houses with the kids or stuff fashionably decorated cookies inside family members’ stockings, one thing is certain: Gingerbread is a must for the holidays.
Coined in the 15th century, gingerbread traditionally referred to cake-like sweets that combined ginger with honey or molasses, which were popularized in England by Queen Elizabeth I. Later, the dough was used to build festive edible houses in Germany and played a central role in the plot of Hansel & Gretel, a short story by the Brothers Grimm in which two siblings are tempted by a witch who lives in a home made from the stuff.
But just because gingerbread has a storied history doesn’t mean you have to stick to your grandmother’s script when preparing desserts this season. Here, our friends at Food52, Food Network, and Food & Wine magazine, plus some of our other favorite food bloggers and cookbook authors, offer up inventive ways to make gingerbread your own.
In the gallery above, you’ll find sneaky, semi-homemade cookies à la Sandra Lee that take advantage of prepackaged sugar cookie dough for an expedited prep time. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has dreamed up a splashy, saucy trifle. You’ll find sophisticated Indian treats infused with masala and sprinkled with rose petals and a fuss-free sheet cake that surprises the palate with hits of crystallized ginger. There is truly something for everyone and every skill level.
Whatever gingerbread treats you choose to make, these recipes guarantee you will “run, run as fast as you can” for second helpings.
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