Part 2/8:
Gingerbread, as we know it today, diverges significantly from its medieval predecessors. In fact, the early recipes for gingerbread were more akin to candy than to the soft cake-like varieties we enjoy during the holiday season. Early formulations often included honey and spices, looking more like a sweet treat than a bread item.
The first documented version of soft gingerbread appeared in Amelia Simmons' "American Cookery" in 1796, which also provided one of the earliest recipes for the custardy pumpkin pie that is now a staple of Thanksgiving celebrations. However, the medieval recipe uncovered during this exploration suggested a much different dish, one that would be deemed quite foreign to our modern palates.