This Bakery Has Used the Same Gingerbread Recipe Since 1807 — Here’s the Secret

A lot has changed in North Carolina since 1807, but if there is one thing that has remained consistent is the gingerbread recipe at Winkler. For almost a century, the original Winkler’s descendants continued baking and selling delicious baked goods up until 1926. Later, the bakery was taken over by the Old Salem Museum and Gardens and is still running.

The Famous Gingerbread

When Old Salem Museum and Garden took over Winkler, they made sure to not take away anything from the localities and the tourists. They ensure that no major changes were done in the way things were made, especially gingerbread. Even after so many years, the chefs at this Swiss bakery made sure that they followed the traditional gingerbread recipe that has received so much love from visitors over centuries. Other than that, you can enjoy other holiday treats as well, including cookies, cakes, muffins, and more.

Winkler Is Still Its Original Self

When you visit North Carolina and decide to head down to this 200-year-old bakery, you will find yourself taken back in time. This might be a little hard to believe, but the bakery still heats its ovens with wood to make sure they don’t lose that authentic flavor. In addition to that, the production line at Winker still starts running between 5:00-6:00 am in the morning when chefs enter and start heating up the oven to bake some finger-licking treats for their guests.

The Good Old Gingerbread Cookies

As far as the gingerbread is concerned, the bakers still use the same angle-shaped cookie cutter that was made back in the 1800s by a tin smith in order to capture the Christmas feel. One of the bakers currently working at the bakery also added during an interview that they still use black molasses with other raw ingredients, such as ginger and spices to make these delicious cookies. They thinly roll out the dough, cut them out, and bake these yummy handmade bites of heaven.