I know some people preserve their gingerbread creations to save them as decorations for future years, and some other people eat their gingerbread houses right after they build them... what I'm wondering is whether they're SUPPOSED to be eaten.
It seems strange to put all that effort into something that you'd just eat immediately, but it also seems weird to construct a decoration from edible materials and then NOT eat it.
Also, a friend of mine got in trouble at a party when she tried to nibble on a gingerbread house that was apparently just meant to be a decoration. The hostess seemed shocked that she'd even consider eating a gingerbread house, which makes me think that at least some people believe they're just decorations. I've looked around online, though, and can't find a definitive answer.
So are they supposed to be edible? And is there some sort of gingerbread etiquette to govern behavior around other people's gingerbread creations?
2007-12-11 06:47:11 · 76 answers · asked by lobster_pants 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
I think traditionally they should be eaten on Christmas day and serve a decorative purpose up until that time. That is why one should insure that ones brother's stoner friends don't get anywhere near your gingerbread house until Christmas day !!
2007-12-11 06:51:51 · answer #1 · answered by *ifthatswhatyoureinto* 5 · 17⤊ 1⤋
Decorative Gingerbread Houses
2016-11-02 23:48:52 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably something that began as a way to decorate a party atmosphere which was then eaten near the end of the party. It caught on and now the majority are just for decor. I imagine they do get quite hard after a few hours though. When in doubt wait and see what others do around you. If your friend would have seen others eating the gingerbread house then it would be fine. If she did not see anyone else doing so then she should have taken the hint and let it alone. If you really want to eat it but are not sure then you should ask your host/hostess and see what they say. If they look at you funny you can laugh and tell them about how you love the taste of them or whatever.
2007-12-12 07:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by Lorena 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Right, gingerbreadhouses are made mostly for decoration purposes. Depending on how they are made, some can be eaten but there are some that are made purely as a decorative one with some materials used which would make it inedible.
Gingerbreadhouses which can be eaten are prepared with all safe and edible materials. While those made for decoration may use other unsafe materials. Edible gingerbreadhouses usually use ROYAL ICING to STICK the parts of the house and the decorations. DECORATIVE gingerhouses may use GLUE to stick the parts together and to attach the decorative materials such as candies and other confectionaries and accessories. Leftover uncooked doughs maybe used sometimes as well.
So, as a guest, better just to eat some gingerbread and just enjoy looking at the "beauty" of its house unless the host had told the guests to also TRY some parts of it.
You see, would you just try eating the house not knowing it could have some glue? Consider what the host might feel if the gingerbreadhouse prepared is there for decoration and is intended to be preserved? If there is any part that you really feel tasting, be sure to take a very small part "UNNOTICED" and be sure it won't alter the looks of the house.
Anyway, whether the gingerbreadhouse is edible or not, better to keep away from eating others' gingerbread creations. If the owner lets you to "try" some then OK. Nothing much so good in any house anyway. It would look so great and attractive but nothing more good of its taste.
(Just a reminder, edible gingerbreadhouse may had UNCOOKED EGGWHITES used in icing - it is quite UNSAFE for pregnant women as well as with the very young children, very old elderlies and those with chronic illnesses. If you plan to make a gingerbreadhouse that will be eaten, use MERINGUE POWDER instead of eggwhites in royal icing preparation.)
2007-12-12 15:39:29 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ lani s 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
a few factors to think about, is it yours? if not, don't touch unless told to.
also, is it regular frosting, or is it royal icing? If it's royal icing, paired with construction type gingerbread (much harder, less flavor) then it is meant to be decorative only. If the frosting is soft, and the gingerbread is soft enough to eat, then it's meant to be eaten.
Some people (me included) have gingerbread houses made from kits (or not kits), which include royal icing. If kept properly, you can use them over and over year after year as decoration. When i was in school, we used to use the tiny milk cartons covered in gingerbread cookies to make houses, then decorated. Those were edible, but i dont remember anyone eating them.
a good rule of thumb, if it's yours, go for it!! but if not, don't eat it!! lol
Merry Christmas!
2007-12-13 10:00:47 · answer #5 · answered by Silver Thunderbird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have made the gingerbread house, it's supposed to be eaten. If it is someone else's gingerbread house, you should comment on it and when they respond, they will usually mention if they want it eaten or not. Hope it's helpful this holiday season. Happy Eating!
2007-12-12 11:47:30 · answer #6 · answered by Michelle C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gingerbread houses or German Lebkuchen were meant for decorations for Christmas but after the Christmas period was over children were given the best gift of eating the gingerbread houses until the next Christmas when the process of baking Gingerbread houses were done again
2007-12-13 03:18:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, it seems like you have got all sorts of wonderful answers. I don't have much else to add except that I think you should ask the person who made the gingerbread house before you nibble on it because they might want it to be a snack or they might want it to be decor. Plus, they might have used non edible materials to make it look pretty. I know people who use glitter or glue and I also know people who have kept them for years and re-display them.
2007-12-12 10:04:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Originally, gingerbread houses were made to be eaten. But they were very simple and a special treat way back in the day... Today people add all kinds of candy and decorations and they choose not to eat them but enjoy looking at them. Ginger is a sort of preservative (since the 11th century) and that is why they are long lasting and don't mold. The Gingerbread Man was sold in the 15th century to single women and young ladies at fairs as Gingerbread Husbands... the tradition dictated that the single females would eat the gingerbread husbands at the fair for a chance to meet a real husband. The story of Hansel and Gretel made gingerbread cookies and houses popular.
2007-12-12 04:48:21 · answer #9 · answered by ColleenLucky7 5 · 8⤊ 1⤋
It depends on where you get them and what they've used to assemble them and possibly seal them with.
Originally they were made for decoration and to be eaten.
The few times we've had gingerbread houses, they've been eaten.
I would never eat anyone's gingerbread house unless I had specifically been invited to do so.
2007-12-13 04:19:32 · answer #10 · answered by Invisigoth 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom actually went on-line for pattern measurements, made a template, rolled out the gingerbread dough, cooked it, put the house together, and decorated it. That one was for looks and looks only and then we threw it away.
Meanwhile, my sisters and I made our little gingerbread houses out of graham crackers. We got to eat those ones.
We do this every year two days before Thanksgiving. We don't actually do it on Christmas though. I'm not sure why not.
I guess there isn't a specific answer to this question except that it's really up to the bakers.
2007-12-11 07:03:50 · answer #11 · answered by Axe 3 · 9⤊ 0⤋