Gingerbread cookies with a characteristic spicy flavor and aroma. Gingerbread cookies are the most popular during the Christmas season - Christmas, spicy gingerbread cookies are often hung on Christmas trees. In Poland, Toruń gingerbread is the most popular, we also often reach for Alpine gingerbread. Check how many calories are in gingerbread and how to make them in the diet version.

The gingerbreadswere probably brought to Europe by the Armenian monk Gregory from Nicopolis, who settled in France and taught French Christians how to bake these cakes. Thengingerbreadspread to other European countries. They were first sold in the 17th century in English monasteries and pharmacies.

The gingerbreads also traveled to America along with settlers from Europe. However, the recipe for them has been modified. Instead of sugar, molasses began to be added, which gave the cookies a soft texture. Gingerbread recipes were included in the first American cookbook published in 1796.

Traditionally, gingerbread cookies are prepared from a mixture of wheat and rye flour, milk, eggs, caramelized sugar and honey. The cake is most often seasoned with ginger and cinnamon, but sometimes cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, anise or lavender are also added.

After preparation, they are left in a cool place to ferment (even for several weeks). Most often, gingerbread cookies are decorated with icing, chocolate, candied fruit, dried fruits and nuts.

Gingerbread - recipe for Christmas gingerbread

Gingerbreads - Toruń gingerbread and more

There are many variations of gingerbread cookies. Their composition and method of preparation also depend on the country where they are baked. However, the most popular are crispy, hard gingerbreads decorated with icing and baked during the Christmas period.

In Poland, apart from this type of gingerbread, they also produce traditionalToruń gingerbreadin chocolate with or without filling, or glazed gingerbreads with or without filling.

Gingerbreads are eaten as a snack for coffee or tea. They reign at the tables during family gatherings and celebrations, most often during the Christmas season.

English gingerbread cookies are usually firm andcrispy, sold most often during the Christmas season. In England, biscuit gingerbreads are also available, and in the northern part of the country, gingerbreads made of oatmeal and molasses are popular.

Two types of gingerbread are also known in Germany: soft and crisp. The crispy gingerbread cookies, as in England and the Scandinavian countries, are baked during the Christmas season and come in various shapes and are decorated with icing.

Soft gingerbread cookies popular in the Netherlands and Belgium are often eaten at breakfast time. Bulgarian gingerbread cookies, on the other hand, are large, thin, round and covered with chocolate.

Gingerbread cookies - calories (kcal), nutritional values ​​(in 100 g)

Caloric value - 416 kcal
Protein - 5.6 g
Fat - 9.8 g
- saturated fat - 2.451 g
- monounsaturated fat - 5.365 g
- polyunsaturated fat - 1.372 g
Carbohydrates - 76.9 g
Fiber - 2.2 g
Sucrose - 19.92 g
Minerals(% of RDA for an adult)
Sodium - 555.0 mg (37%)
Potassium - 346.0 mg (10%)
Calcium - 77.0 mg (8%)
Phosphorus - 83.0 mg (12%)
Magnesium - 49.0 mg (12%)
Copper - 0.305 mg (34%)
Iron - 6.4 mg (64%)
Zinc - 0.55 mg (5%)
Selenium - 5.1 µg (9%)
Vitamins
Vitamin B1 - 0.2 mg (15%)
Vitamin B2 - 0.293 mg (23%)
Niacin - 3.235 mg (20%)
Folate - 87.0 µg (22%)
Vitamin B6 - 0.098 mg (8%)
Vitamin E - 0.97 mg (10%)

Nutritional Value: USDA,% Recommended Daily Allowance, based on IŻŻ Nutrition Standards, 2022

Gingerbreads - are gingerbreads he althy?

Gingerbread cookies are a high-calorie product. 100 g of gingerbread provides as much as 416 kcal. In addition, they contain significant amounts of fat. They are also rich in sugar, which is a source of "empty" calories, does not provide vitamins and minerals, and its consumption is associated with adverse he alth consequences.

Excessive sugar consumption increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay. Additionally, sugar can increase blood cholesterol and raise blood pressure.

However, thanks to additions, suchlike ginger and spices, gingerbread cookies can be beneficial for your he alth.

Gingerbread cookies are also quite a good source of B vitamins, thanks to the content of not only wheat flour, but also rye flour. Among the minerals in gingerbread cookies, copper and iron deserve attention.

Additionally, gingerbread cookies, thanks to the ginger content, have antioxidant properties and can reduce cell damage and prevent inflammation. In addition, ginger has a positive effect on the work of the brain - among other things, it improves cognitive functions.

Classic gingerbread cookies are not a product that we should eat every day. Let us choose them from time to time and in small numbers. It is not recommended to eat gingerbreads for obese people, due to their high calorific value, and for people suffering from diabetes.

Hell's gingerbread story

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Gingerbread - diet gingerbread

Gingerbreads can be prepared in a he althier version. Instead of wheat flour, whole grain flour, ground oatmeal, rice flour or spelled flour will work great. Additionally, it is worth adding ground wheat bran and oatmeal to the dough. You can successfully give up sugar and choose low-fat milk. You can decorate the gingerbreads with a dark chocolate glaze or omit this decoration.

About the authorMarzena Masna, dietitian SOS Diet, dietary catering, WarsawA graduate of dietetics at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. She gained professional experience in dietary clinics, the Nursery Complex of the Capital City of Warsaw and Warsaw hospitals for adults and children. She constantly deepens her knowledge by participating in conferences on proper nutrition, as well as diet-prevention and diet therapy of diseases. Currently, a dietitian at SOS Diet, dietary catering, where he deals with nutritional advice for clients, creating recipes, preparing the menu and supervising the quality of meals.

Graduate of dietetics at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. She gained professional experience in clinicsdietetic, Nurseries Complex of the Capital City of Warsaw and Warsaw hospitals for adults and children. He constantly deepens his knowledge by participating in conferences on proper nutrition, as well as dietary prevention and diet therapy of diseases.

Currently a dietitian at SOS Diet, dietary catering, where he deals with nutritional advice for clients, creating recipes, preparing the menu and supervising the quality of meals.

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