Everything Gingerbread
Updated: Mar 23
Who doesn't like gingerbread? Gingerbread is said to have originated in Greece around 2400 BC. How incredible is that! Known for its health benefits such as aiding nausea, fitting germs and supporting your immune system, as well as reducing the risk of diabetes and more.
Last year we saw the nightclub Annabel's transformed into a giant gingerbread house and did you know that you can visit the world's largest gingerbread town in Norway?
Here is more about gingerbread, home essentials including ginger and the royal chef's gingerbread recipe.
Everything Gingerbread
In the past, the iconic British hotel The Dorchester was transformed into a gingerbread replica of itself. A creation dreamt up by the hotel’s executive chef Henry Brosi, the Gingerbread Hotel measures approximately 180cm in length, 150cm in height, and 95cm in width. It weighs in at 150kg and features over 8,000 individual pieces of gingerbread baked by the hotel pastry team. The model of the front of the hotel is almost identical to the frontage of the world-famous building. Children visiting the hotel during December will be swept into a magical experience at the Sweet Emporium by ‘Sweets in the City’ tucked inside a festive nook in the lobby.
Castle Howard added spice to Christmas one year with an enormous gingerbread replica. The enormous confection will be four metres by three metres, and depict not only the famous house, complete with its dome and the parterre garden envisaged by Vanbrugh, but also by many of the architectural features found in the 10,000 acre estate, including the Temple of the Four Winds, Mausoleum and the 7th Earl’s monument. The windows of the house will be illuminated, and just like at the real Castle Howard, and miniature trees will descend from Ray Wood to create a perfect winter scene. Taking two weeks to bake with elements constructed at Bompas & Parr’s headquarters, before it was transported the 200 miles up to Castle Howard, where the final piece was assembled. Castle Howard is well-known for offering one of the best Christmas experiences in the country!
Gingerbread House
Gingerbread house history
gingerbread houses are said to date back to the 1600s and originated in Germany. No one knows who created the first gingerbread. Becoming increasingly popular when the Brothers Grimm wrote Hansel and Gretel, where the storyline is based around the main characters stumbling upon a house made entirely of treats in the middle of the forest. It is still not clear whether gingerbread houses originated as a result of this fairy-tale or vice versa. Traditionally the cookie houses were decorated with foil and gold leaf which became associated with Christmas tradition. Today you can find gingerbread houses all around the world with the largest gingerbread village in Norway!
Did you know there are a wide variety of gingerbread house kits available to purchase?
I bought mine from Ikea along with baking glue and decorating kit.
The Royal chefs have let their secret out the kitchen' doh ..well, Gingerbread Dough Recipe. Will you try to make a gingerbread house from scratch using the Royal chef's Gingerbread House Recipe?
Will you make your own gingerbread house this year?
