Grandma Brown's Gingerbread

Grandma Brown was my great-grandmother on my father's side. I never got to meet her, but I remember my grandma making her gingerbread. Last Christmas, I made a bunch of it up and gave it to my family. Now, I give it to you. Enjoy! Due to feedback, I am adding another comment here...old-fashioned gingerbread is a dense cake. If that is not what you expect from gingerbread, then this recipe is probably not for you.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 18

Ingredients

• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1⁄2 cup molasses
• 1  cup boiling water
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 2  cups flour
• 2  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ginger
• 3  teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1. Grease well either a 9 x 13 baking pan or two 9-inch round pans.
2. Cut a piece of parchment or waxed paper to fit bottom of pan.
3. Cream sugar and shortening together.
4. Mix dry ingredients together.
5. Add the molasses and boiling water to the sugar and shortening mixture, then slowly add dry ingredients to this mixture; mixing well between each addition.
6. Beat eggs well.
7. Add into mixture last.
8. Pour into prepared pan (s).
9. Bake at 350° or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (it should take 20 minutes, but can take as long as 35 minutes).
10. Best when served warm with fresh whipped cream, but delicious any time.