Ancient confectionery products, distinguished by their taste and firmly associated with Russia, have a beautiful name - gingerbread cookies. Their composition may vary and depend on spices and the method of forming the dough. They come in a variety of shapes or have any kind of pattern.
Name History
The word comes from spices that are added to the dough. They give it a taste and aroma. It was spices that gave the modern name to the confectionery.
According to another option, the name comes from the old word "pulling". This is one of the steps in preparing a baking test. The cake was coated with oil and honey, which did not allow it to burn and stick.
Already in ancient times there are mentions of honey delicacies, similar to bread. It was baked in ancient Rome and Egypt. The dough, coated with oil, was an analogue of modern gingerbread.
In Russia, such dishes appeared around the 9th century. Gingerbread cookies symbolized holidays and a cheerful mood. Due to their taste and aroma, they then began to bake on weekdays.
At first, the treat was a mixture of coarse flour and berry juice. Later, honey and sweet forest herbs began to be added to the composition. The proportions were almost 50 to 50, so the cakes were so sweet and tasty. And only after a variety of spices were brought to Russia, did the gingerbreads take on the appearance that we are seeing today.
The Russian cities most strongly associated with this delicacy are Tula, Moscow, Vyazma, Gorodets and Arkhangelsk.
The composition of gingerbread
From the name itself it becomes clear that the delicacy contains many different spices. Among them, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, zest, pepper, coriander and vanilla are most often found.
The next prerequisite is the presence of molasses and honey. Jam, berries or marmalade can be added to them.
A standard dough consists of flour, in which milk and eggs interfere. Thanks to honey and sweet fillers, it binds and does not burn during baking. The main difference that the old gingerbread cookies have is that the composition does not have various baking powder, such as, for example, yeast.
The cooking process is not complicated, but special attention must be paid to stirring. The dough should not contain large pieces, but should be thoroughly whipped.
In modern cooking, the addition of sour cream and sugar instead of honey is allowed. They give the test a slightly different texture and variety.
Gingerbread cookies are covered with glaze or a relief pattern on top.
Tula gingerbread cookies: composition
The city has earned fame for the preparation of the best and most delicious cakes throughout Russia. This is a symbol of national cuisine. The confectionery is decorated with inscriptions and is served only on holidays. Also in old times it was an expensive gift.
In the modern world, gingerbread can be bought at any store, and they are not unusual. Of most interest are products baked at home. Consider the recipe, as well as the composition of the Tula gingerbread.
We will need the following components: flour, eggs, margarine, sugar, honey, cinnamon, soda, milk and jam. Everything is thoroughly mixed and then heated for 10 minutes. After it cools and whips with a fork or hands.
The dough is rolled, cut and placed on a greased baking sheet. Inside each piece we put jam or jam. Bake for 10 minutes at a temperature of about 200 degrees.
Sugar is mixed with milk, put on fire and boiled for 5 minutes. In such a simple way, glaze is obtained. Gingerbread carefully grease it and leave to cool. Once they have dried, the delicacy is ready.
Gingerbread cookies: recipe and composition
These sweet cakes are distinguished by the presence of additional spices. In addition to ginger, you will need honey or molasses. The dough can be moist and soft or brittle, like a biscuit. The composition of gingerbread can vary.
To prepare the standard form of this sweet, you need to perform simple steps in your kitchen. In a shallow plate, mix flour and spices, add butter and zest, grind it all to the state of bread crumbs. Then you need to beat the sugar with eggs and add liquid honey there, then mix the dough with the resulting cocktail to form a uniform lump. Finally put everything in a film, press firmly and place in the refrigerator.
An hour later, roll out the finished dough and give it the shape of a gingerbread man. Remove excess pieces and then place the treat on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes at a temperature of about 180 degrees. When the dough has a golden hue, take it out and allow to cool. Gingerbread cookies are ready!
Now you know what gingerbread composition is. We hope our recipes will help you in their preparation.