What Does Gingerbread Have to do with the Revolution?

 Gingerbread was a popular Colonial treat and a favorite at Christmastime with Colonist in America. They decorated their homes with gingerbread, and women baked from family recipes handed down the generations from European ancestors. 

Gingerbread goes back centuries, and stuck with American cookery down the generations. Can you imagine the aroma as it baked in a cast iron pans inside huge hearth ovens?

Check out this beautiful Colonial Gingerbread mold sold on Ebay.

 Cindy at Country Christmas Blog has these beautiful gingerbread designs with her recipe.
 http://countrychristmas.blogspot.com/2009/12/gingerbread-men-recipe.html


Here's a traditional colonial recipe from the Colonial Williamsburg website. http://www.history.org/almanack/life/christmas/din_recipe.cfm

Gingerbread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup melted margarine
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup unsulfered molasses
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon lemon extract
• 4 cups stone-ground or unbleached flour, unsifted

Combine the sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Mix well. Add the melted margarine, evaporated milk and molasses. Add the extracts. Mix well. Add the flour 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly. The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to fingers. Knead the dough for a smoother texture. Add up to 1/2 cup additional flour if necessary to prevent sticking. When the dough is smooth, roll it out 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface and cut it into cookies. Bake on floured or greased cookie sheets in a preheated 375°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The gingerbread cookies are done when they spring back when touched.

Books to Inspire your Colonial Christmas

http://www.history.org/publications/books/book_christmasinwilliamsburg.cfm