Laura Ingalls Wilder's Gingerbread

I grew up loving Laura Ingalls Wilder books and when I found a recipe of hers on the internet I just had I try it. I didn't see it here on RecipeZaar, so I thought I would submit it, especially with Christmas coming soon. It is very good and quite easy to make.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1  cup molasses
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1  cup boiling water
• 3  cups flour
• 1  teaspoon ginger
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon allspice
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1  teaspoon clove
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs, Beaten

Directions

1. Mix the brown sugar and the shortening together until creamy. Add the baking soda to the boiling water and add the water to the molasses. Combine the molasses mixture to the creamed mixture.
2. In a seperate bowl, combine the spices to the flour. Sift the flour into the molasses mixture. Add the beaten eggs to the batter and stir well. The batter will be quite thin.
3. Pour batter into a large baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.
4. Raisins, and or, Candied fruit may be added and a chocolate frosting adds to the goodness.
5. From my own note I like to add sifted powdered sugar to the top when it is cooled down some. It adds for a nice sweeteness to the gingerbread.