National Gingerbread Day
Also known as
National Gingerbread Cookie Day
Observed
annually on June 5th
annually on November 21st
Dates
June 5th, 2022
November 21st, 2022
June 5th, 2023
November 21st, 2023
June 5th, 2024
November 21st, 2024
June 5th, 2025
November 21st, 2025
June 5th, 2026
November 21st, 2026
Tags
Food & Drink
Snacks & Desserts
Hashtags
Sources
Although ginger originated in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the first recorded use of gingerbread dates to 992, when Gregory of Nicopolis, an Armenian monk, brought it to Europe and taught French priests how to cook it. During this time, gingerbread meant "preserved ginger", which came from the Old French term "gingerbras", which itself was derived from "zingebar", the Latin term for the spice. By the 15th century, gingerbread meant a type of cake made with molasses and ginger, but it was not yet widely used. Gingerbread came into prominence in the 18th century and can range from a soft cake to harder treats such as biscuits and cookies. This day is dedicated to gingerbread in all its forms.
How to Observe National Gingerbread Day
The day can be spent making and eating gingerbread or ginger flavored foods in all their variations. To enjoy gingerbread in its Medieval European form you could eat crystallized ginger. In the morning you could make gingerbread pancakes, and later in the day gingerbread cakes and cookies could be baked. The cookies could be made into gingerbread men and women, and a gingerbread house could be baked for them to reside in until they are eaten. The stories of The Gingerbread Man and Hansel and Gretel could also be read.