Ingredients

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon warm water
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • Accompaniment: whipped cream

Method

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Grease and flour a 9- by 2-inch square baking pan, knocking out excess flour.
  • In a saucepan melt butter and shortening over moderately low heat and remove pan from heat.
  • In a large bowl whisk together eggs, sugar, molasses, spices, and salt and add butter mixture in a slow stream, whisking.
  • In a cup dissolve baking soda in warm water and whisk into batter.
  • Sift flour over batter and whisk until combined well.
  • Add boiling water in a slow stream, whisking, and pour batter into baking pan.
  • Bake gingerbread in middle of oven 45 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
  • Cool gingerbread in pan on a rack.
  • Cut gingerbread into squares and serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream.