In the early 1800s the first gingerbread houses were reportedly inspired by what famous fairy tale

Gingerbread houses were reportedly inspired by "Hansel and Gretel".

Explanation:

The famous Brothers Grimm's fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel" has reportedly served as inspiration for bakers in Germany in the early 1800s. In the story, the siblings Hansel and Gretel are abandoned by their parents in a forest. They find a edible house, made of bread and decorated with sugar. Since they are hungry, they begin to eat the house only to find out it belongs to a cannibal witch. Some historians say German bakers began making gingerbread houses after the book with the fairy tale was published. The tradition of making gingerbread houses during Christmas time came to America with German immigrants.