Good enough to eat, the beautiful gingerbread houses are decorated with colourful sweets, icing, gingerbread biscuits and melted sweet windows. The tradition of decorated gingerbread houses began in Germany in the early 1800s. Some say it was popularised after the fairytale story Hansel and Gretel was published in 1812. Inspired by the story, German bakers began to craft small decorated houses from lebkuchen, spiced honey biscuits
Photographs Dave Burton
Liz’s tiny home kitchen is packed full of baking paraphernalia and large bags of ingredients, which are the basis of her cottage gingerbread-making industry
Liz Druce’s country cottage sits on a steep hillside, open to the elements, where the rain can be relentless and the wind whistles and rattles under the doors on a cold, wintry day. However, step inside and you are instantly struck by the warmth and cosiness of the two-bedroom cottage, as well as the mouth-watering smell of gingerbread that pervades every part of the house.