Gingerbread: History and a Simple Cookie Recipe

Published October 24, 2026 · GiveOwl

Gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses are a Christmas staple, but the story behind them is older and more tangled than most people think. Here is what the sources support, followed by a simple recipe for cookies.

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Where gingerbread comes from

The name: The Library of Congress says the word comes from the old French "gingembrat", the name of preserved ginger root, and at first had nothing to do with bread. Ginger itself is native to Asia.
Medieval Europe: A form of gingerbread reached Europe in the Middle Ages, where honey-based variations developed, such as German lebkuchen and French pain d'épices. As sugar became more available, gingerbread cakes and cookies became more common.
Elizabeth I: The Library of Congress says Queen Elizabeth I of England gave gingerbread figures and letters to favored dinner guests. Around her reign "gingerbread" came to mean a ginger-flavored cake made with molasses.
Gingerbread houses: Smithsonian Magazine says they date to the 1600s, and English Heritage says they probably began in Germany between the 16th and 18th centuries. The sources differ on the details, so we give both.
Hansel and Gretel: English Heritage points out that in the Brothers Grimm story of 1812 the house is made of bread, with a cake roof and sugar windows, not gingerbread. The tale helped popularize the idea, but did not start it.

Simple gingerbread cookies

Makes about 24 cookies, depending on the cutter size. Our own recipe; we have not kitchen-tested it.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1 teaspoon baking soda and ½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup molasses
1 large egg and 1 tablespoon water

Method

Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a bowl.
Beat the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the molasses, egg and water.
Stir in the flour mixture until a dough forms. Divide in two, flatten into discs, wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick, cut shapes and place them 1 inch apart.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set. Cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then on a wire rack. Decorate with the icing from Christmas sugar cookies: recipe and cookie exchange tips once cool.

Do not taste the raw dough. The FDA says raw flour has not been treated to kill bacteria and can carry germs such as E. coli, and that raw eggs can carry Salmonella. Baking kills them. The FDA advises not to eat or taste raw flour, dough or batter.

This is our own simple recipe with everyday ingredients – we have not kitchen-tested it, so treat times and temperatures as a guide and adjust for your oven. Allergens: depending on the recipe it contains wheat (gluten), milk and eggs; check every label for traces of nuts, soy and other allergens before you cook for other people.

Equipment and kits

Ad: Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The price is the same for you. Prices and availability change – see the current price on Amazon.

🍪 Wilton Gingerbread Boy Comfort Grip cookie cutter (amazon.com) ↗ (ad) and Wilton Gingerbread Boy cookie decorating kit (amazon.com) ↗ (ad).

🏠 Wilton Gingerbread House Kit (amazon.com) ↗ (ad). Kits like this contain food: check the label for allergens before you give one to someone else, and follow the instructions on the box.