This is such an interesting cookbook! There are recipes for Christmas classics and more, but it’s the stories that make this book memorable. We don’t consider how spices and other ingredients traveled the world on boats, camels, and more! Many of the spices we use as essentials to baking were considered exotic when they were first introduced, and were priced accordingly so only the wealthy could afford them. If you like to bake you’ll love this cookbook, 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity

A little fancy but overall good

I read this book over the holidays and really enjoyed reading about the history behind beloved Christmas treats. From food ways, wars, superstition, and more it was fascinating to learn what shapes what we eat at Christmas.

Interesting and festive - this would be a perfect book club book, as patrons could bring baked goods from the book and discuss the historical elements of the book.

Absolutely exceptional and took me forever to get through only because I tried to bake my way through, using most of the recipes in the book, something both I and the rest of my family don’t regret.

The recipes were terrific, but the real value of this is in the history that accompanies each section. It’s fascinating and informative even if you’ve already got a bit of background in food or holiday history, and it’s written in an exceptionally readable and often humorous narrative form.

I would really have appreciated photos rather than simple line drawings (all cookbooks should have a photo accompanying every recipe. Charge more if you have to. I will die on this hill every time I see a cookbook violate this). I also didn’t especially need the craft ideas and directions (a few additional recipes or, y’know, those pesky photos instead, please). But the book is both terrifically edifying and fun to read, and even more fun if you cook your way through it.

This was an interesting and in-depth look at the history of some Christmas dessert. While I might not actually make the majority of the recipes, I did enjoy reading how the recipes originated. This would be a nice gift for the baker in your life.

I loved reading this historical deep dive into baking around the holidays and what makes it so important and intrinsic for so many people. This book was well-researched and the author obviously knows exactly what they are talking about. This would make a great holiday read but also a great gift for a baker who loves Christmas.

Really informative and insightful. I learned a lot about the histories of a wide range of holiday treats and ingredients. The author doesn't shy away from the darker side of things, including facts on the slave labor involved in the production of sugar cane and vanilla beans, the blood shed during the height of the spice trade, and the treatment of Jews and Jewish bakers in northern Europe. Raedisch also includes plenty of recipes and footnotes for those who wish to delve deeper into the subject. Recommended for anyone into food history and a deep dive into baking.

I loved this.

I fabulous explanation of History in a calming and conversational tone. This book was a welcoming warm hug you need at Christmas while remaining engaging and interesting.

I liked the wide explanation of history this book explored. It also explored ideas to the right amount without the reader getting bored but with enough context to have engaging thoughts and ideas.

I found this collection to be so sweet and interesting! A great gift idea, and the perfect option for the baker who has it all.

Just in time for Christmas comes Linda Raedisch's newest book The Secret History of Christmas Baking. Part historical stories, part cookbook, this in depth peak into the past where our Christmas baking traditions come from is a delectable treat! There are even a few historical Christmas crafts sprinkled in.

"Just as we put the Christmas tree in the same spot every year and decorate it ritually with the same ornaments, a great-grandmother’s gingerbread recipe becomes canon, the eating of it a sacrament"

As an Alumni of St. Thomas U, I particularly enjoyed this tidbit: "Credit for the blend of “Christmas spices” we still use today must go... to thirteenth-century theologian Thomas Aquinas, who proclaimed that the eating of sugar and other spices did not count as breaking the Advent fast. (He also endorsed bathing and a glass of wine at bedtime, so be sure to thank him for that, too.)"

Gingerbread certainly has an interesting history.
"If a girl had no one to buy her a gingerbread fairing, she could buy herself a gingerbread “husband,” the eating of which, she was promised, would produce the real thing, especially if she ate it on Halloween. If she had a particular fellow in mind, all she had to do was feed him an enchanted gingerbread man, and he would be hers. If she had trouble conceiving after the wedding, she could eat a gingerbread rabbit to restore her fertility"

This made me laugh, "it was to Egypt that the Holy Family fled to escape King Herod’s Slaughter of the Holy Innocents on December 28, and though mummification during the Graeco-Roman period was no longer the high art it had been in the days of the pharaohs, the Egyptians were still wizards when it came to wrapping humans, cats, and other creatures in linen bands...Mary must have picked up some neat swaddling tricks while she was there." I bet she did. Also, I'd like a mummy cat please, and can I consider it a Christmas decoration since it's mention in relation to baby Jesus, it can go in the nativity scene with him as his stuffy.

This book was full of interesting information. The author did a very thorough job researching and presenting each topic and I did learn some things,but I found it a bit slow .

I believe it would be a great read for anyone who likes history, Christmas and cooking.

I received a free E-ARC from Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd., Llewellyn Publications & Netgalley for my honest opinion.

The title doesn't lie, dear Reader. . .this book is filled with deep Christmas knowledge that is so deep it reaches back thousands of years before there was Christmas.

Starting in Egypt, and with grand aplomb the author ends with Egypt. But, oh! It is the in-between that will get you thinking about this world's grand kitchens, bakers, culinary inventors and what of their great offerings are you going to engage with this coming holiday season? And so begins my small offering to you of what you will find between the covers of this book as a way to recommend - no, HIGHLY recommend - this Secret History of Christmas Baking:

◾ Mysteries Abound! (Nuremberger Lebkuchen - 5 spices, 4 known (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon, clove), but that fifth one only known by the Guild! what was it? Cumin? coriander? black pepper? ginger? mace? orange peel?)

◾ Histories Profound! (Egypt, Italy - in all its ages, Greece, Slavic nations past and present, UK before UK was, and its Colonies, and after, Scandinavia and its contributions, all the European bakers waving their rolling pins. . .)

◾ Pastries Astound! (Linzer Tartlets, stollens of all types, Italian breads and cakes, fruitcake! Caribbean Christmas cake aka Black Cake)

◾ Cookies Surround! (Speculaas, marizpan - marchpane in England, pepper cookies, Moravian Stars, mincemeat cookies; gingerbread from the 1200's to now, and an exploration of the Gingerbread Man's Christmas associations)

◾ Candies Homebound! (Origins of Torrone, Christmas corn from long ago, dropped by Santa down chimneys - switched teams somewhere an age ago - we now see it every Halloween and call it "candy corn")

◾ Spices Redound! (history of spices and herbs with recipes using each, sugar and sugar plums (candy coated almonds and seeds - a Roman beginning: think Jordan almonds)

◾ Crafts Unwound! (Paper Angels, Befanas on Broomsticks and more)

So much more in this book, but I will leave it to you to find your way to your favorite sections. As for me and my house? We'll be having a copy of it in our house, thank you very much!

*A sincere thank you to Linda Raedisch, Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #TheSecretHistoryofChristmasBaking #NetGalley

An entertaining and informative book with plenty of recipes and information. I thoroughly enjoyed it and liked the recipes
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Who knew that certain oral traditions trace the first use of Christmas trees during holidays to the ancient Egyptians? Not me for sure. This intriguing story is just one of many found in Linda Raedisch’s non-fiction historical reference book and traditional ancient Christmas recipe collection, “The Secret History of Christmas Baking—Recipes & Stories from Tomb Offerings to Gingerbread Boys.” Raedisch clarifies and negates the Egyptian Christmas tree tradition in her book because neither pines, spruces nor fir trees grow anywhere near the Nile—the closest such conifer species being the great cedars of Lebanon—nearly 1,000 miles away. This tale from the land of the pharaohs, as well as many other fascinating historical legends and myths regarding Christmas—especially yummy baking traditions that are still used today—have origins whose roots may actually be traced to the use of fine Egyptian-grown wheat flour which was light and fluffy compared to the dense rye and spelt grains native to Europe. For a fun, fascinating and educational treat about the happiest time of the year for many of us, as well as the origins and recipes of some of the most popular and delectable foods associated with this holiday, be sure to delve into “The Secret History of Christmas Baking,” by Linda Raedisch—a wonderful gift for everyone who’s a holiday baker.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Linda Raedisch, and Publisher Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. / Llewellyn Publications for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

Take a journey through time and many countries to learn the backstory of many of your favorite holiday treats. Gingerbread in ancient Egypt, Fruitcake in America are just a few of the traditional treats this book is filled with not to mention their beginnings. I love trying recipes new to me and had fun having a go at soft Gingerbread which I found to be quite tasty. I also enjoyed making the Mincemeat cookies and look forward to making them a new holiday tradition this year! Filled with iconic Christmas recipes this lovely cookbook will definitely get you in the mood for the holidays.

What a great point of view to the Christmas season! I love baking and I love history so this is a perfect marriage.

I LOVED this book! And immediately purchased copies for family members (to their own rave reviews!). The perfect combination of nerdy history of ingredients and recipes combined with sheer *charm*, the author doesn't pull away from some of the ugly history of food and politics of food. From obvious Christmas goodies to lesser known ones in the US, this was just an overall interesting cookbook.

My thanks to Llewellyn Publications and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this title in exchange for my honest feedback.

Super fun way to elevate seasonal traditions. I enjoyed the storytelling and history behind a lot of classic treats. This would have been elevated with unique illustrations.

I received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A super fun holiday read and I would love to get this for my family, whose favorite holiday is Christmas. I appreciate that the author acknowledges that dark history associated with Christmas and the origins for a lot of its symbols and traditions and I think that makes the holiday even more special. It is fascinating to see how it has evolved and makes it more fun to explore those same traditions when they were first created.

I personally loved the inclusion of different faiths and inclusion into the history of a traditionally Christian holiday. As someone raised by Jewish and Christian, I loved that Jewish people had their own gingerbread cake before it was popularized into gingerbread cookies! I can't use the recipe and make my own cake this year.

I appreciate that while a history text, it is easy to follow and well-researched with lots of sources from a variety of different places. I think this would make for a great holiday gift or something to read in the fall to help you prep for the holidays.