Molasses Gingerbread

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 eggs beaten slightly
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup hot water
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup raisins optional

1. Cream butter and sugar. Blend in molasses until smooth. Stir in eggs and beat well. Dissolve soda in the hot water and stir into molasses mixture.
2. Sift together dry ingredients and stir gradually into molasses mixture until well blended. Add raisins. Bake in a greased 8x8x2-inch pan 350 degree oven for 23 to 30 minutes.
3. Called Old Country Store Recipes booklet. Topping suggestions: canned crushed pineapple, then whipped cream; Lemon sherbet and chocolate sauce; cream cheese, whipped with a little light cream and nutmeg; custard sauce; prepared mincemeat, folded into whipped cream; lemon sauce, with snipped dried figs added, or combine 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 3 tablespoon flour, and when gingerbread is done, sprinkle mixture on top, then return to oven for 5 min; top gingerbread slices with applesauce, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and broil until bubbling.

butter, brown sugar, molasses, eggs, baking soda, water, flour, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, raisins

Taken from www.yummly.com/recipe/Molasses-Gingerbread-1665379 (may not work)