In several days, the Christmas meal marathon can finally begin. Patience, patience then…well, not really! Because we can already treat ourselves with some essential delicacies in winter, like Christmas shortbread but also and above all the traditional gingerbread . It needs no introduction and yet this star of the Christmas markets has very distant origins, often unknown to the general public. For the record, this cake with flavors of honey and spices was shaped during Antiquity and the Middle Ages by the Romans, the Egyptians, the Greeks but also the Chinese who named it "honey bread". Building on its success, several cities and establishments celebrate gingerbread; moreover in France we even have a museum, Le Palais du Pain d’épices in Gertwiller, Alsace.
Today, there are many gingerbread recipes , all more delicious than the other:gingerbread with dried fruit, chocolate or even in the form of gingerbread man . A real treat for young and old, especially with a glass of mulled wine!
Cooking is an art, so to make a fragrant and soft gingerbread we are happy to help ourselves with some very useful tips . First, choose the right ingredients depending on your recipe, the sugar for example may vary, in the North we like to use brown vergeoise. The choice of spices and their dosage is also very important, to have a perfect harmony of flavors add a level spoon of each spice (nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and green anise). Also, to bring more flavor and indulgence add orange, acacia or chestnut honey to your cake and knead it with the flour, this will allow the dough to rise on its own.
Finally, to have an ultra soft gingerbread which keeps well, milk and eggs are essential. Also grease your dish with butter, this will make the cake crispy on the outside. Once baked, store your gingerbread in a cool, dry place , for 3 days before tasting, the aromas will have time to develop well.
Discover all our gingerbread recipe ideas in our slideshow.
Also read:
Record and cooking:this easy-to-make vanilla Yule log recipe is a hit on YouTube ("It's a pure delight!")
Recipes:these ultra-gourmet desserts to prepare as a change from the traditional Yule log
Christmas meals 2020:21 exquisite recipes for a meatless holiday menu
