Ginger Bread

Over the weekend, we were snowed / rained in, so we decided to do an quick excursion to the grocery store and then do some baking.

Ginger Cake

When I graduated from college and officially moved out of my parent's house, my mother gave me a binder full of handwritten family recipes. It's one of the nicest gifts, and I've added to it over the years. Some of my childhood favorites are in there, as well as some unkowns. I still don't think I've made all of the recipes in it!

Saturday, I tried a recipe for Ginger Bread that has been used in my family for over a century. Here's what we did:

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup molasses
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. ginger
2-1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 cup hot water
2 well-beat eggs added last (1 egg will do)

Bake 350 degrees in greased pan.

There's a note to use bacon drippings for shortening. I guess they didn't worry about cholesterol and were very frugal. Though I didn't try it, I'm sure if you have them, it would be tasty!

Optional Lemon topping:
1 tblspn. warm water
2 cups confectioner sugar
3 tblspn. lemon juice
Mix well and pour over gingerbread while hot.