This year, New Yorkers will once again get to experience “home, sweet home” during the holidays. Madison Square Park is bringing back its family-favorite Gingerbread Boulevard, a two-week event featuring a walk-through of life-size gingerbread houses. Attendees can walk inside the houses constructed from ginger bricks and decorated with frosting, peppermint sticks and gum drops, while they sip on hot chocolate to escape the cold. It seems that no one can turn down a giant-sized gingerbread neighborhood — organizers expect the event to draw at least 350,000 visitors throughout the holiday season. The gingerbread artists at Leckerlee couldn’t help but wonder: When, and where, did the creation of gingerbread houses begin? Nuremberg: Building the Foundation Gingerbread, as we know it today, originated from Medieval European cooking. Nuremberg, Germany (the birthplace of lebkuchen) was recognized as the “Gingerbread Capital of the world” by the 1600s as Medieval bakers turned gingerbread into a craft by shaping the treat into elaborate designs. It became such an elegant art that European royalty prohibited anyone from making gingerbread except specially trained guild members — except during Christmas and Easter, sparking the holiday tradition. While gingerbread continued to be a favorite decorated treat throughout Europe, it wasn’t until the 1800s that gingerbread houses were introduced out of the famous fairytale, Hansel and Gretel (see our updated version of our Hansel & Gretel Tin!). The tradition of candy-coated Lebkuchenhaus, the German term for a gingerbread house, eventually made its way to America with the Pennsylvania German immigrants. Going Life-Size As the gingerbread tradition grew in popularity over the years, many renditions have emerged over the years. The National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, NC, showcases some of the most original gingerbread designs from across the nation every year. The “houses” must be 100% edible and 75% gingerbread, but that doesn’t stop artists from whipping up designs like: A nativity scene with three Wise Men The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” album cover rendition Seuss’s “Whoville,” complete with the Grinch Artists also like to go big: in 2013, a group in Bryan, Texas, set the record for the world’s largest gingerbread house. The 21-foot-high masterpiece spanned the size of a tennis court and required 1,080 ounces of ground ginger to complete — not to mention 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour, and 2,925 pounds of brown sugar. Not sure if you’re ready to take on a life-size gingerbread house? Skip the haus-work and get your fix of gingerbread at Leckerlee. Our hand-baked lebkuchen is baked here in New York City and when combined with our collectible tins, make the perfect holiday gift! Shop now!
Stand up Gingerbread Sugar Cookies • Fairy Tale • White Decor • Gingerbread People • Ski Chalet • More ...
The owners want to smash it, but for a good cause.
Gingerbread has been a part of Yuletide traditions for centuries.
This years gingerbread house is a Christmas Bakery complete with a working fireplace! The bakery stands around 24" tall , 18" wide, 12" deep. The bottom windows are see thru to the bakery confections, Christmas tree and presents, and the brick fireplace with stocking hanging. The bright red gumpaste sleigh...
The top 10 most inspirational gingerbread house designs you've ever seen will get you motivated to make your own incredible gingerbread house.
Forget the solitary gingerbread house – why not create an entire village? Go wild and dream up the most extravagant festive table setting! With three free templates to download, our step-by-step guide will take you through how to make this Christmas showstopper. Project and instructions by Lucy Bruns Discover more festive baking projects here >
Welcome back to the Little Cabin in the Woods. It snowed! Layers of icing and sugar have taken our gingerbread log cabin from the golden warmth of Fall to the cozy snugness of a Winter’s aft…
We all love gingerbread houses. They are beautiful and sometimes, edible works of art. However, how far can you go when you construct them?
Pregnancy, baby, toddler advice for Canadian parents
- By Ashley Howard
This year´s gingerbread house is a miniature of a run down house in our neighbourhood. Tips for gingerbread builders at the end of the post… The theme for the yearly gingerbread competition o…
Recipes and ideas for a gingerbread church
This is a birthday piece for 100th birthday – a client wanted something typically countryside English with a garden and flowers. Fully edible, coated in spices, this time most of the flat biscuits piped from both sided so the piece is truly 3D.
Building a gingerbread house is such an enjoyable part of the holidays. Not only are they fun to build, but they can also be admired throughout the Christmas s
Tomorrow is Gingerbread House Day! So in case you want to try your hand at Gingerbread Greatness, I've found some gorgeous examples to inspire you. Or, if you're like me, to make you not even try, because there's no way mere mortals can do this: (By Little Wonderland ) Isn't this
Gingerbread Iron Throne | Image: imgurHave you ever tried to make a gingerbread house? It's quite a bit more challenging than it looks. Mishaps with "construction supplies," breakage and lack of adhesion and stability can all be problems one encounters along the way. Twice I've seen adults set out with the best of intentions to make a gingerbread house with kids and end up frustrated, with no recognizable structure, hopelessly and defeatedly munching on materials. That's why I'm impressed whene...
Een kerstdorp bouwen is sowieso al hartstikke leuk, en met deze inspiratie ideeën pak je dat voor de verandering eens heel anders aan!
It has been such fun to watch the exterior evolve. Each layer getting closer to the sweet vision I imagined. When It was time to click the lights on, I held my breath. Then, seeing each one glowing, I squealed with delight! I made the post and porch lights by drilling out clear resin gumdrops for globes and candy cane pieces for poles. The little peppermints made perfect spacers! For the porch posts, I drilled holes into candy canes and gum drops bases, then used resin to anchor the pins to make them sturdy. I couldn't resist making a cookie cutter wind chime for the front porch! The chimney is removable for access in case of wiring issues. Let's hope I never have to remove it though. The other side was calling for some Tudor style frosting covered timbers. I just love how the interior lights shine through the candy windows! As usual, when viewing the photos I see opportunities to add more things. I recon I will, but the main focus will be to get the bedroom finished up in time for Christmas. Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of everything to be thankful for! xo xo, Jodi
wandered into the gingerbread house competition tis afternoon - so festive!
Learn how to create an impressive gingerbread castle for Christmas, plus more sweet holiday recipes from Food.com.
Tämän joulun viimeiset piparkakkutalot sain valmiiksi ja piparointiurakointi loppui nyt tähän päivään. Huisketta on riittänyt keittiössä muutenkin ja pahoittelut kaikille niille, joille en ole ehtinyt
Gingerbread house in Palm Court at The Langham, London
Building a gingerbread house is such an enjoyable part of the holidays. Not only are they fun to build, but they can also be admired throughout the Christmas s
This is basically the only time that decorating is more fun than eating.
Russian folk tales, campy 80s movies, classic Yuletide imagery. Each of these themes and more are represented in this year's best gingerbread houses.
We asked readers to show off their decked-out gingerbread houses and we were blown away by the awesomeness of your edible creations. Take a look at some of the best ones. More from Bites:Check out these over-the-top gingerbread housesWhat kids around the world feed SantaYuletide food: 8 edibles from holiday songs
