In the heart of winter, when the air smells of cinnamon and lights come on in homes, gingerbread men populate our kitchens and memories. This year, I have made them in mini format, only 1.2 inches tall, perfect for packing in glass jars and giving as little festive treasure chests. Each man, decorated with icing and a touch of imagination, is a messenger of warmth, tradition, and joy.
But behind their funny shape and spicy taste lies a fascinating story that spans centuries and borders. Gingerbread dough, born in the Middle Ages, was initially considered almost medicinal: ginger was believed to help digestion, and spices were thought to have healing properties. In the 16th century, in England, Queen Elizabeth I made gingerbread men famous by having them prepared in the image of her court guests.
Curiously, gingerbread was also subject to bans: in the Netherlands and England during the 17th century, it was banned because it was associated with magical practices and superstitions. It was believed that cookies in human form could be used for love spells or curses, so authorities limited their production.
Today, fortunately, gingerbread men have returned to being symbols of celebration and creativity. Whether big or small, meticulously decorated or left natural, they carry a tale worth sharing, just like these jars that I’ve filled with cookies and stories.
There are many other ideas on the blog for making Christmas gifts with your own hands.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Rest time: 1 Day
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 25-30 cookies
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: English
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients for Gingerbread Men
- 3.5 cups flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup acacia honey (or molasses)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp spices (gingerbread mix)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp egg whites (at room temperature)
- 2 drops lemon juice
Tools
- Cookie Cutters
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Tray
Preparation of Gingerbread Men
In a thick-bottomed saucepan, pour the sugar, honey, and butter. Melt everything over low heat and bring to a boil. Turn off and let cool completely.
In a bowl, pour the flour, spice mix, and cocoa powder, then add the egg yolks and the honey, sugar, and butter mixture. Knead until you get a homogeneous mixture. Don’t worry if it remains too soft, chilling it in the fridge will firm it up.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it firm up in the refrigerator for at least three hours, overnight is even better.
Roll out the dough on a well-floured work surface to a thickness of about 1/5 inch. Use the cookie cutters to cut out the gingerbread men and place them on the baking tray lined with parchment paper. I used a small cutter because I wanted to make mini men.
Place the tray in the fridge for half an hour, this way the cookies will hold their shape well during baking.
Bake the gingerbread men at 320°F for 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
In the meantime, prepare the royal icing. Place half of the sugar and the egg whites in a small bowl and start whisking with an electric mixer. Add the remaining sugar and lemon drops. The icing is ready when a peak forms when you lift the beaters.
Now you can decorate the cookies according to your imagination.
The dough, sealed in plastic wrap, keeps in the freezer for three months, while the cookies keep for three weeks when closed in an airtight container.
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FAQ
Who invented the gingerbread man?
The first documented version dates back to Queen Elizabeth I of England, who had cookies shaped like people made to honor her guests.
Why was gingerbread banned in the past?
In the 17th century, in the Netherlands and England, it was banned because it was believed that cookies in human form were used in magical rituals and spells.
When was the gingerbread man fairy tale born?
The fairy tale was first published in 1875 in the “St. Nicholas Magazine,” an American children’s magazine.
