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Community Corner

Gingerbread Traditions: Fun for Young and Old

Big or small, plain or fancy, gingerbread houses capture the imagination of young and old.

Gingerbread has been a tradition throughout Europe for centuries, especially in Germany.

“Gingerbread houses are what Christmas is all about for me,” said Stephen Schubert, executive pastry chef at River City Casino, who was raised in Hamburg, Germany. “My family always made gingerbread houses together when I was little. It was such fun and a big attraction for us when we were kids. Christmas without gingerbread wouldn’t be Christmas at all.”

Schubert continues his family’s tradition of making gingerbread houses with his kids at home and at work, where he recently constructed, with his team of bakers, a gingerbread house that weighs in around 800 pounds, of which 500 pounds is gingerbread.

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“When you make a gingerbread house, no matter how big or small, the dough has to be drier to hold up under the icing and decorations,” said Schubert explaining his gingerbread houses are always just a house. “ I like to make traditional gingerbread houses. I don’t do castles or other stuff – it has to be a house with bricks, cookies and stained glass windows of sugar.”

Smaller table top houses are a feature among the holiday decorations at the Chatillon-Demenil Mansion and the Eugene Field House, two of St Louis’ fabled historic houses opened for public tours.

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“Gingerbread houses always draw such attention,” said Eugene Field House volunteer Shirley Zork, who had the idea to have a drawing for the gingerbread house on display in the Eugene Field House parlor. “It’s a way to help raise some extra money for the restoration of the house.”

Whether big or small making gingerbread houses should be fun.

“Making gingerbread houses is something families can do together. They don’t have to be perfect, so don’t put too many restrictions on it," said Schubert. "Remember you want it to be fun for the kids. Then, once Christmas comes, you have a big party and everyone gets a piece to eat — just like Hansel and Gretel.” 

To help you make your own gingerbread house, Schubert has shared his recipe for gingerbread dough. Use store-bought cutters or make your own house pattern to cut from the dough. Or, cut or shape into anything you like from gingerbread men or stars to hang on the tree.

For those who are not into construction projects, but love the taste of gingerbread, I have included two soft gingerbread recipes. One from the Pillsbury test kitchen for Gingerbread Loaves, a tea bread that is a nice addition to a cookie tray. The other is a historic recipe that is dense and full flavored and has the claim of being one of General Washington’s favorite Martha-baked gingerbread cake.

About this column: Suzanne Corbett is an award-winning writer/producer and culinary teacher, but her passion is as a food historian. She has written for Better Homes & Gardens, and was the radio host of Hot Plates, which aired on KSLG. She is the author of the award winning, "Pushcarts & Stalls: The Soulard Market History Cookbook."

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