Gingerbread

Gingerbread Shortening for greasing pan Flour for dusting pan For the Gingerbread: 2⅓ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup shortening ⅓ cup sugar 1 cup molasses ¾ cup hot water 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ¾ tsp. salt 1 large egg Caramel Sauce or Lemon Sauce, if desired Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour the bottom and sides of a 9x9x2-inch baking pan. Beat all of the gingerbread ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl. Continue to mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center tests clean. Serve with Caramel or Lemon Sauce, if desired.