In the realm of culinary delights, few treats evoke the warmth and nostalgia of yesteryear like a classic gingerbread. While the modern iterations of this beloved sweet have become synonymous with the holiday season, its roots run deep into the culinary tapestry of centuries past. This article embarks on a delectable journey through time to explore the evolution of gingerbread from its humble medieval origins to the iconic dessert we know and cherish today, offering an array of pre-1940s recipes that capture the essence of this timeless delicacy. From gingerbreads graced with intricate icing artistry to those infused with aromatic spices and molasses, these historical recipes promise a sensory experience that transports you to an era where tradition and taste were inextricably intertwined.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
FAVORITE OLD FASHIONED GINGERBREAD
This is everyone's holiday favorite, even the busy cook's, because it is so easy to make.
Provided by Charles
Categories Desserts Cakes Spice Cake Recipes
Time 1h45m
Yield 9
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the egg, and mix in the molasses.
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in the hot water. Pour into the prepared pan.
- Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 375.1 calories, Carbohydrate 65.3 g, Cholesterol 47.8 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 434.7 mg, Sugar 31.5 g
GINGERBREAD (PRE-1940'S)
Make and share this Gingerbread (Pre-1940's) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Chef Aint Bs
Categories Breads
Time 40m
Yield 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix soda with sour milk and add to molasses.
- Sift together flour, ginger and salt.
- Combine the two mixtures.
- Add butter.
- Bake in greased pan in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 98.9, Fat 1.5, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 4, Sodium 205.9, Carbohydrate 20, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 7.8, Protein 1.6
GINGERBREAD
This classic Gingerbread Loaf recipe has been around for generations! Passed down from one baker to the next, it's become a Christmas favorite in our home! Soft, flavorful and oh so tasty, this traditional gingerbread is a winner!
Provided by Janelle
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350*F.
- Prepare a bread pan by lining with parchment paper and spraying with cooking spray. This will ensure bread slips right out of your pan with zero sticking.
- Blend sugar and butter together until fluffy.
- Add egg and molasses and beat well, scraping sides as needed.
- Add baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Mix well.
- Add flour in 1/2 cup at at time and mixing between each addition.
- While mixing, SLOWLY add water to thin batter out. Now is the time to add the apple sauce if you wish, though I didn't need it.
- If adding the crystallized ginger, add now.
- Pour mixture into prepared bread pan and bake for 55 minutes. Remove from oven and add create a tent over bread to prevent from edges getting to dark.
- Place bread back in oven and bake for 15 - 20 more minutes.
- Remove from oven when a toothpick inserted into the middle of bread comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 365 calories, Carbohydrate 66 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 43 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 10 grams fat, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 4 grams protein, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 390 grams sodium, Sugar 41 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams unsaturated fat
OLD FASHION GINGERBREAD
My dad would always tell me his mother made gingerbread with hot water and that it was dense and rich with molasses. Over the years I looked for such a recipe, to no avail. Then one day I was given a book compiled by an elderly woman who recalled recipes from her childhood in Virginia, and there it was! I made one slight change, substituting shortening for lard. For gingerbread lovers, this classic version is wonderful, whether you eat it hot and dripping with butter or at room temperature.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9-in. square baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl, mix butter, shortening and boiling water until smooth; cool slightly. Beat in eggs and molasses until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into molasses mixture. Transfer to prepared pan., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack. If desired, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 414 calories, Fat 17g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 390mg sodium, Carbohydrate 62g carbohydrate (40g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
GINGERBREAD (PRE-1940'S)
Make and share this Gingerbread (Pre-1940's) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Chef Aint Bs
Categories Breads
Time 40m
Yield 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix soda with sour milk and add to molasses.
- Sift together flour, ginger and salt.
- Combine the two mixtures.
- Add butter.
- Bake in greased pan in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 98.9, Fat 1.5, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 4, Sodium 205.9, Carbohydrate 20, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 7.8, Protein 1.6
Tips:
- Depending on the final use, decide whether you want a hard or soft gingerbread.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Molasses should be thick and dark.
- If you can't find dark molasses, you can substitute 1 cup of light molasses and 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
- Use a combination of spices to create a flavorful gingerbread. Common spices include ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
- If you want a crispy gingerbread, roll the dough out thinly before baking.
- If you want a chewy gingerbread, roll the dough out thicker before baking.
- Bake the gingerbread at a low temperature for a long period of time. This will help to prevent the gingerbread from becoming dry.
- Let the gingerbread cool completely before frosting or decorating.
Conclusion:
Gingerbread is a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you want a hard or soft gingerbread, there is a recipe out there that is perfect for you. By following these tips, you can make a delicious gingerbread that will be the hit of your next holiday party.Tips:
- Depending on the final use, decide whether you want a hard or soft gingerbread.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Molasses should be thick and dark.
- If you can't find dark molasses, you can substitute 1 cup of light molasses and 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
- Use a combination of spices to create a flavorful gingerbread. Common spices include ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
- If you want a crispy gingerbread, roll the dough out thinly before baking.
- If you want a chewy gingerbread, roll the dough out thicker before baking.
- Bake the gingerbread at a low temperature for a long period of time. This will help to prevent the gingerbread from becoming dry.
- Let the gingerbread cool completely before frosting or decorating.
Conclusion:
Gingerbread is a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you want a hard or soft gingerbread, there is a recipe out there that is perfect for you. By following these tips, you can make a delicious gingerbread that will be the hit of your next holiday party.
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