Gingerbread Loaf

This is a memory in your mouth! I always find that a piece of warm gingerbread  with a cup of hot chocolate is very comforting in times of stress, or warming on a chilly winter day, or a wonderful snack for the kids after a "play in the snow" day.  . It makes a great gift, I gave one to a new  neighbour, and he told me he had not tasted gingerbread since moving from his mother's house, more that 20 years earlier.

Preheat oven to 350 F

What you need: 2 cups sifted cake flour, (all purpose will work too, but gives a slightly different texture); 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 2 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/3 cup shortening; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 egg, well beaten; 2/3 cup molasses; 3/4 cup sour milk or buttermilk.

Grease a loaf pan with shortening, then add flour and shake to cover shortening well.

Sift flour once, then measure into a medium bowl. Add baking powder and soda, salt, and spices. Sift together three times.
In a large bowl, cream shortening well, then add sugar, egg, and molasses in small amounts, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture in small amounts, and alternating with milk as needed. Beat well after each addition to make a smooth batter.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Place in center of oven. Bake for about 75 minutes.

Serve warm with whipped cream. Also good cold with butter, or use as a change from  regular base for fruit shortcakes.