KENTUCKY GINGERBREAD

Kentucky Gingerbread image

Provided by Mamada Bruce

Number Of Ingredients 14

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

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F. 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.