Soft Gingerbread

1/2 c Butter

1/2 c Lard

1 c Sugar

1 c Molasses

1/2 c Water

1 tb Powdered ginger

1 1/2 ts Cinnamon

2 1/2 c All-purpose flour

2 1/2 ts Baking soda

1 tb Salt

2 Eggs

Put the butter, lard, sugar, molasses, and water in a saucepan with the spices and bring to the boil; remove from the heat and allow to cool. Sift the flour, soda, and salt into a large bowl. Stir the cooled liquid quickly through. Beat the eggs well and stir them into the batter. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake in an oven preheated to 350 for about 35 minutes or until the top is well browned and the sides pull away slightly. SOURCE: Biscuits, Spoonbread, and Sweet Potato Pie (pg. 250) -----