Gingerbread

Ingredients

• 1 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 cups flour

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F. Butter a rimmed sheet pan and set aside.

In a small pan over low heat, melt molasses, shortening, and ginger. Transfer to a mixer and mix on medium until well blended, about 3 minutes. Mix in sugar. Dissolve baking soda in a tablespoon of hot water and mix into molasses mixture. Alternate adding buttermilk and flour, beating well after each addition. Batter should be quite stiff. Add more flour a tablespoon at a time, if needed.

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake in lower third of oven 10-12 minutes, until risen and firm.