Attempting a Time Warp in Frankfurt (Oder): Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Baking at Viadrina Museum
Escape the sterile supermarket aisles and journey back in time by baking gingerbread just like our great-grandmas did, courtesy of the Viadrina Museum in Frankfurt (Oder). This pre-Christmas tradition kicks off with a special session where children can partake in an old-fashioned gingerbread baking extravaganza. Museum educator Halina Muchow will preside over the festivities, sharing the secrets of yore while instilling a sense of peace and contemplation in the children.
Ditch the cookie cutters and throw it back with the models used around 1900. The young bakers will adorn their mini platters with dough indentations, crafting Santa faces, snowmen, hearts, and pine cones. Enjoy a glimpse into the grandma's kitchen with the museum's collection of historic molds, furnished with ornate baroque motifs from the late 18th century. While these enchanting gems are too fragile to handle, they provide invaluable insight into the art of baking and its iconic craft.
Muchow's innovative cooking machine, dating back to 1860, radiates charm in its unassuming wooden and coal-heated form. The rustic charm extends to the traditional Christmas tree trunk whisk, highlighting the sustainability of a bygone era. As Muchow explains, "in the past, everything was used sustainably, including the Christmas trees."
While the children aren't privileged to partake in the dough-mixing process due to hygiene concerns, they will gain fascinating insights into the recipe's origins and unique ingredients. The ancient blend includes deer horn salt and sugar beet syrup, in addition to essentials like butter, flour, eggs, milk, and aromatic spices, such as cloves and cinnamon. The syrup imparts a dark, rich hue to the dough, while the stirring process—a labor of love 45 minutes in length—is of paramount importance. The dough requires a week or more to rise, ensuring custards of distinction.
Muchow's dissemination of knowledge extends to the wondrous transformation the gingerbread undergoes from oven to cooling rack. The cookies start off soft upon removal, but transform into a sturdy wonder when cooled, thanks to Mother Nature's very own love letter—the apple. Traditionally, these gingerbread cookies were enjoyed not only during the festive season but throughout the year, thanks to their remarkable longevity.
Enrichment Data:
The Viadrina Museum in Frankfurt (Oder) organizes a gingerbread baking session for children in the pre-Christmas period. The traditional baking takes place using historical kitchen appliances and an old gingerbread recipe that dates back to times before modern-day cookie cutters. Children can learn the art of baking while gaining insight into the history and methods that were employed in the past[1]. This event highlights the direct interaction and immersion into the traditions of the past, allowing children to connect with older generations and learn from the wisdom of the past.
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