The Gingerbread Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together:

1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of shortening
1 cup of molasses
1 cup of hot water

Bring to a boil then remove from the heat to cool.

Mix together:

2 1/2 cups of flour
2 teaspoons of soda
1 1/2 teaspoons of ginger
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of cloves
1/2 teaspoon of allspice.

Beat into the cooled liquids:

2 well beaten eggs

mix in the premixed dry ingredients till you have a smooth batter.

pour into a greased and floured 9x9 inch pan.

Bake 40-60 minutes till a pick comes out clean near the middle of the cake.

Cut into squares after cooling completely, and serve with whipped cream. You could also make a frosting with lemon juice confectioner's sugar and grated rind. (Also a lemon butter cream with rind and juice)

Vary this recipe by dissolving instant coffee or espresso in the water. Make it very strong and also by adding a bit of cocoa to the dry ingredients.
Try adding chopped candied ginger or lemon rind to the batter or to the whipped cream on top.