Serves: 13
Total Calories: 310

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
Garnish: whipped topping

Warm Vanilla Sauce:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, combine first 8 ingredients; set aside. In a separate large bowl, blend together shortening and sugar with an electric mixer set on medium speed. Beat in molasses. Add dry mixture and buttermilk alternately to molasses mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in egg. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 13"x9" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. To serve, cut cake into squares; top with Warm Vanilla Sauce and a dollop of whipped topping.

For Warm Vanilla Sauce:
In a saucepan, mix sugar and flour together. Add remaining ingredients; cook and stir over medium heat until thickened.


Slip a packet of spiced cider, cocoa or herbal tea into a Christmas card for a special friend... she’ll be absolutely delighted.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 13
Total Calories: 310
Calories from Fat: 79

More Recipes from the Christmas with Family & Friends Cookbook:
New England Cranberry Pie
Mom’s Bread Pudding
Snowball Cake
Cheri’s Red Velvet Cake
Struffoli
Dianna’s Best Tiramisu
Homemade Gingerbread Cake
Gotta-Have-It Holiday Cake
Date Torte
Mattie Lou’s Prune Cake
Ultimate Peanut Butter Pie
Mom’s Snow Pie
Pistachio Puff
Coconut Freezer Cake
Karey’s Mocha Cake
Cocoa & Coffee Sheet Cake
Date Pudding
Mini Mincemeat Sweets
Eggnog Pound Cake
Snowballs
Strawberry-Almond Trifle
Sweet Cherry Flan
No-Bake Fruitcake
Raisin Spice Cake
Mince Ice Cream Pie
Charlotte’s Cocoa Cake
Friendship Peppermint Mud Pie