Gingerbread with cinnamon: traditions and recipes

Table of contents:

Gingerbread with cinnamon: traditions and recipes
Gingerbread with cinnamon: traditions and recipes
Anonim

Gingerbread cookies with cinnamon and other spices - a fragrant delicacy that can turn any day into a holiday. And it is not necessary to wait for the New Year to cook it. In summer, it may seem too spicy, but cool spring, rainy autumn and long winter will appeal to everyone who loves fragrant sweets. The tradition of making gingerbread with cinnamon dates back many centuries. Both then and today, the delicacy is used not only as a treat, but also as decoration and original gifts.

From time immemorial

How did cinnamon gingerbread come about? The recipe is said to have come about by accident. Centuries ago, a monk working in the kitchen on a Christmas treat knocked a jar of spices into the dough. One can only guess what a storm of emotions he felt at the same time: in those days, spices were almost equal in value to gold. Be that as it may, the cookies were prepared, tested and approved. They liked it so much that it became a Christmas tradition. By the inventors of the treattraditionally considered the monks of foggy Albion.

Holiday treat

Today, gingerbread cookies and cookies are customary to prepare for Christmas throughout Europe. And in America, back in the 60s of the last century, a tradition was born to exchange such a delicacy. At the end of the holiday, each of the guests received a box of cookies with a variety of additives and decorations.

gingerbread cookies with honey and cinnamon
gingerbread cookies with honey and cinnamon

Today, the delicacy is necessarily baked shortly before Christmas in Catholic countries. At holiday fairs in Germany, France and England, you can find a variety of gingerbread cookies. They decorate the Christmas tree with it, give it as a gift and eat it with pleasure.

Past and Present

cinnamon gingerbread cookies recipe with photo
cinnamon gingerbread cookies recipe with photo

Initially, cinnamon gingerbread cookies were round or oval. Figured delicacy became only in the XIX century. Stars, flowers, various animals and little men pleased the eye no less than Christmas tree decorations. Gingerbread houses were especially valued then and now, combining culinary skills and the master's imagination.

Today you can find a variety of gingerbread cookies with cinnamon. A recipe with a photo of intricate figures for each author has features. The amount of oil and composition of ingredients may vary. Often, cooks increase or decrease the number of items on the list of spices used. However, most often cookies differ in decor. Cooks use icing, mastic, edible beads, powdered sugar and the result inspires new experiments every time.

cinnamon gingerbread recipe
cinnamon gingerbread recipe

Cinnamon Gingerbread Cookies Basic Recipe

Preparing the dough, as well as baking, does not take much time. Of the spices, ginger and cinnamon are used - two tablespoons each (teaspoon), as well as cloves, cardamom or black pepper - in smaller quantities - to taste.

Softened butter (200 g) is combined with egg and sugar (200 g). The best way to do this is to use a blender. Separately, flour (2 cups with a slide), spices and soda (0.5 tsp) are mixed, and then liquid ingredients are added to the dry ingredients. Knead the dough quickly, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. After cooling, it will become more convenient to use.

The finished dough is rolled out into a thin layer and cookies are cut out using molds. Bake it in an oven preheated to 180º for about 15 minutes.

Spices in this recipe can be changed. Sometimes cocoa is added to make the dough browner.

With honey

Gingerbread cookies with honey and cinnamon are often found in the network called "Ikea". You can add a variety of spices to it. Traditionally, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves are used. Honey not only gives the dough a special taste, but also makes it easier to work with than regular shortcrust.

Spices are mixed with soda (1 tsp) and flour (200 g). Separately, beat sugar (100 g) with soft butter (100 g), and then add an egg and liquid honey (3 tsp) to them. Both mixtures are combined and the finished dough is sent to the refrigerator for two hours. Then, as in the previous recipe, it is thinlyroll out and cut out shapes. Cookies are cooked at 180º for about 10 minutes. It is important not to miss the moment when it turns brown. Cookies can burn quickly.

Decoration

cinnamon gingerbread cookies
cinnamon gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread with cinnamon is good and immediately after baking. However, if you have patience, it can be made a little more interesting. To do this, you need to prepare the glaze. One protein is whipped into a strong foam. Then powdered sugar is added to it in a spoonful (a total of 200 g will be needed) and each time the mixture is beaten. Then add the juice of half a lemon and beat again. The glaze can be left white or given a new color with beetroot juice, cherry syrup, or food coloring. Painted cookies are dried in a cooled oven at 50º. Painted gingerbread cookies will be a delicious and unusual gift for loved ones.

The process of making gingerbread cookies is a lot of fun. It cannot be called difficult, and the aromas that arise during kneading dough and baking fill the house with comfort and holiday. These cookies are perfect for tea, coffee, and milk. You can cook it not only for the New Year, but literally for any occasion.

Recommended: