Gingerbread may refer to either one of two traditional desserts, gingerbread cake or gingerbread cookies. Gingerbread cake is a dark, moist cake flavored with molasses, ginger and other spices. It is usually baked in a square baking pan and cut into squares to be served unfrosted with a simple topping of whipped cream or lemon sauce. Gingerbread cookies date back to medieval times. They range from thin and crisp to thick and chewy. They are often cut out in the shape of people.