Spotted on Ebay...

How cute?! I actually squealed with delight when I saw these but have never tried baking with ceramic moulds before...

Anyways, the thought of baking with traditional stone moulds inspired me to search for a traditional gingerbread recipe and I stumbled across this gem! Researchers from the University of Manchester have managed to dig up an original recipe that dates back to the time of the Crusades, when spices like ginger made their way into Europe with the knights returning from the Holy Land. So, without further ado, here it is:

Ingredients:

2lb Plain Flour

1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

2tsp Ground Ginger

1tsp Allspice

1tsp Cinnamon

1tsp Cloves

12fl oz Molasses

8oz Brown Sugar

3 oz Vegetable Shortening

6fl oz Cold Water

Instructions:

Cream the sugar and shortening, add molasses and water, then gradually add the dry ingredients until a pliable dough is formed.

Leave to stand for 2 hours before rolling into shapes.

Bake at 175 degrees for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

TA-DAAAAAAA! Now sit down and enjoy this mini medieval miracle with a nice mug of mead!