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Long, long ago, in the beautiful city of Toruń, there lived a master gingerbread baker whose gingerbread was unrivaled in the entire town and even far beyond. He was a humble and kind man, living with his very hardworking daughter, Katarzyna.
Unfortunately, the day came when the baker fell gravely ill. Due to his poor health, he could no longer work, and poverty began knocking at their door. In this difficult situation, Katarzyna, whom her father loved dearly and who had always helped him, decided to take matters into her own hands. She resolved to prepare the dough and bake the gingerbread herself. Having always assisted her father at work, she quickly remembered the necessary ingredients and the steps to follow. The master baker’s daughter lit the fire in the oven and set about making the dough.
When the dough was ready, Kasia decided to use wooden molds to shape the gingerbread. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find them anywhere. Luckily, a pewter mug stood on the table, and the girl used it to cut out round medallions, arranging them side by side on a baking tray. After baking, she discovered that six medallions had fused into a strange shape.
Katarzyna was afraid that no one would buy such oddly shaped gingerbread. Nevertheless, later that day, she went to the market, where she sold all the spiced treats she had made. They were truly delicious—perhaps even tastier than her father’s creations! Everyone loved them for their unique flavor and original shape.
That day, at the Toruń market stalls, discussions lasted until late afternoon about the secret ingredient in the gingerbread made by the baker’s daughter. The townspeople unanimously agreed that Katarzyna had added something invisible to the mix—her heart!
From then on, the gingerbread shaped like six joined medallions has been called “katarzynki” by the people of Toruń, in honor of the good and hardworking Katarzyna, the master baker’s daughter!