Ginger can be traced back to Europe.  During the 11th century explorers came back from the Middle East with the spice “ginger”.  The spice became popular with bakers, and they added sugar to the ginger root to create candy.  Later with the discovery of molasses, the bakers added breadcrumbs and molasses to the sugared ginger to create what we know as gingerbread.  Gingerbread is cut and shaped into all sorts of hearts, animals and even ornately decorated and given as gifts for Easter and Christmas.
The tradition of building gingerbread houses began in Germany after the Brothers Grimm wrote the tale of Hansel and Gretel: Two children left in the woods, that come upon a house made of sugar and bread.  After the fairytale was published the German bakers started to create gingerbread houses decorated very ornately with all sorts of candies and icing decorations.  These houses were particularly popular during the Christmas holiday — an old world tradition that has become an American tradition.
In the last 11 years Clarice’s Cake and Candy Supply has sponsored the Gingerbread Village for the Boys and Girls Club Festival of Trees.  Clarice’s donates all the houses and frosting to adults and youth of the community.  They take the house and decorate it with family and friends, putting their imagination to work, and return it to be sold at the festival.
The tradition of Gingerbread House building is carried on every Saturday in December with Gingerbread House building classes for adults and children.
Stop by and peek into our “new” classroom to see a tradition in action.  Maybe you will get the urge to start a holiday tradition with your family.
“The only limit to gingerbread is your imagination”.  Happy Holidays!
Clarice’s Cake and Candy Supplies is located at 22936 Lyons Avenue in Newhall.  For more information, please call 661-259-0352.