Making, decorating, and eating gingerbread cookies is a Christmas family tradition for many people. I used to love making different faces on them and then sharing them around the tree while opening presents. And I think they’re Santa’s favorite cookies, too. But since I’m not the jolly man and I don’t want his stomach, my adult version of this childhood treat is this tasty gingerbread cookie protein shake recipe. It’s so good! And I don’t miss out on decorating since we still make them as a family, but while they’re munching arms and legs, I enjoy my shake.
Gingerbread biscuits or round cookies have been around since the 15th century. In the 16th century, the practice of forming gingerbread cookies into figures. England’s Queen Elizabeth I had gingerbread cookies made into the likeness of her guests as a way to honor them.
Although decorations began as simple indentations in the dough prior to baking, today icing and candies are often used to give gingerbread men clothes and a face. Among the most popular decorations are gumdrops, icing, or raisins to represent shirt buttons.
The gingerbread man cookie has become quite well-known in popular culture and even inspired a Guinness record. The IKEA store in Oslo holds the title for world’s largest gingerbread man, which weighed 1,435.2 pounds! Other popular gingerbread men include Gingy from Shrek and the Gingerbread People in the Candy Land board game. In addition, there’s a nursery rhyme or fairy tale I remember from childhood where the final line is “You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!”
What other references to gingerbread men do you remember from childhood? Hopefully, you have some happy memories of the cookies and drinking the gingerbread cookie shake will bring those wonderful times to mind.
Gingerbread Cookie Protein Shake
Notes
We love hearing from our readers! Let us know what you thought about the gingerbread cookie shake and any other holiday shakes you like.
