Ingredients

2 cups (500 mL) flour

2 tsp (10 mL) baking soda

1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon

¼ tsp each (1.5 mL) nutmeg, cloves, ginger

1 ½ tbsp (22 mL) vinegar

½ cup (125 mL) shortening or lard

¾ cup (177 mL) molasses, either blackstrap or cooking

¾ cup (177 mL) water

Preparation

1. Combine flour, baking soda, and spices in a bowl.

2. Make two pockets in mixture, add vinegar in one and softened shortening/lard in the other.

3. Add water then molasses, mixing thoroughly.

4. Grease and dust two medium 14-ounce cans and divide the mixture between the cans.

5. Heat oven to 350F/177C, set both cans in, and cook for 55-60 minutes.

6. Remove, cool for a quarter hour then gently shake cakes out of cans or store for later.