Made to an undisclosed receipt possibly based on oatmeal with dark sugar, ginger and citrus flavours at Sarah Nelson's bakery in the old schoolhouse in Grasmere since 1854. While many speciality bakehouses claim to be 'original', Sarah Nelson's is one of the very, very, few which are truthfully are. See www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk
In the 19th century Grasmere gingerbread was used to pay those who brought rushes to cover the earth floor of the Grasmere church. The floor is paved now and needs no rushes, but they are still brought, and the gingerbread eaten, on special occasions such as the feast of St. Oswald on August 5th. A similar tradition is known from Stalmine, see Tosset Cakes and with Goosnargh Cakes
Original Receipt from lake-district-guides.co.uk;Grasmere Gingerbread
Ingredients
Plain flour - 225g (8oz)
Bicarbonate of soda -½ tsp
Cream of tartar -½ tsp
Ground ginger - 2 tsp
Butter - 175g (6oz), diced
Soft light brown sugar - 175 g (6oz)
Golden syrup - 1 level tbsp
Granulated sugar - for sprinkling
Method
1. Pre-heat oven to 170C / 325F / Gas 3. Butter a 20 cm (8 inch) sandwich tin.
2. Place the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar and ground ginger in a bowl. Add butter and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in the brown sugar. Carefully add the golden syrup and lightly stir into the mixture with a knife.
3. Spread the mixture in the tin, level and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown.
4. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 minutes. Cut into 12 wedges and remove from the tin. Place on a wire rack and leave until cold. Store in an airtight tin until required.