The Gingerbread Book: 54 Cookie-Construction Projects for Party Centerpieces and Holiday Decorations, 117 Full-Sized Patterns, Plans for 18 ... Projects, History, and Step-by-Step How-To's

by Allen D. Bragdon (Editor)

This book provides life size patterns and an entire section entitled, Basic Skills , to help any beginner start decorating in no time. With over a 154 color photos and simple instructions, the book is fun and easy to follow. This guide will show you how easy it can be to create your very own gingerbread masterpiece. Quick, cookie-constructions like The Monsters’ Picnic and charming period pieces like The Christmas Carolers can be made with edible gingerbread or modeling clay to be passed down from generation to generation. The options are endless!

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Holiday, Nonfiction, Christmas

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

The whimsical old dog with puzzle experience and a curious mind. Member of the Society for Neuroscience. Founding Editor of Games magazine, Editor of Playspace daily puzzle column formerly syndicated internationally by the New York Times. Author of dozens of books of professional and academic examinations and how-to instructions in practical skills. Director, The BrainWaves Center. During the summer, Allen writes from his office at the Brainwaves Center on Cape Cod and races sailboats. During the winter he works from his 14th century villa in Tuscany. You can contact him by e-mail at abragdon@brainwaves.com

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are an ambitious Gingerbread enthusiast or a first-time creator, this book literally encompasses every element of that.

Tiny little factoid before I get into the full scope of what this book contains: The first cookbook (arguably written in 1485) contained both food coloring and Lebkuchen (or German Gingerbread). Germany, England and France argue over who created Gingerbread, but Germany made it contemporary, partially due to Hansel and Gretel's story of the Candy House.

Did you know that American Animal Crackers (which debuted in 1870) were inspired by Gingerbread cookies?

So whether or not you are a first time gingerbread baker, a historic accurately-seeking baker, an architect enthusiast with a sweet-tooth, or someone looking for a fun holiday project, this book includes (DEEP BREATH)...
54 Construction Projects (Including tea parties, edible games, fairy tales, other holidays, etc.)
117 Full-Sized Patterns
18 Plans for Structures
100+ Color Photos
3 Basic Doughs
1 Decorative Inedible Dough (say for Ornaments)
13 Historically Based (off Literature, Cookbooks, and other resources) Recipes for Gingerbread-based goods
9 Ginger Spice Based Recipes
3 Beverage Recipes to have alongside your Gingerbread
5 Sweet Sauces and Pudding Recipes
Royal Icing Recipes
and Lots of Tips/Tricks and Step-by-Step Guides for all of them!

[Betsy Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of great idea and not just for Christmas , He also had a brief history about how Ginger Bread cookie and cakes cam about and listed the countries that made them . Ginger Bread goes way back in 1614 . Not only did Germany have a gingerbread cake , but France and England made them too . He also listed the recipes and templates to create the houses , people and animals .

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome though somewhat dated projects (Thanksgiving Pilgrims and Indians for example). Projects range from Faberge eggs to chessboards to fairy tales. I particularly like the history of gingerbread, recipes from the past, and photos of antique cookie molds.

[Alyson Mutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most likely the best cookbook on gingerbread ever made. I can't wait for Christmas!

[Cws]

745.5 Gin

[Jenny Houle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really want to make the edible chess board shown in this book. But I am a total gingerbread freak year round.