Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

By Addie

“Gingerbread is an economical lunch box treat or after-school snack. Just double the recipe, cut the cake into squares and wrap each square in plastic wrap for handy individual servings.”

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup hot water

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bottom of a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with waxed paper. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt in a medium bowl.


Beat shortening and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer set at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Beat in egg.


Mix molasses and hot water in a small bowl. Add flour mixture and molasses alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition, about 30 seconds.


Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
.....................

Grandma's Secret Tip:

For a fast and easy way to make sure all the molasses comes out of the measuring cup, spray the cup with cooking spray before measuring the molasses.