ginger bread

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups  all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon  ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon  ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon  baking powder 1/2 teaspoon  baking soda 1/2 cup  shortening 1/4 cup  packed brown sugar 1   egg 1/2 cup  mild-flavored molasses 1/2 cup  water   Lemon Sauce   Thin lemon peel strips (optional)

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x1-1/2-inch round cake pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

2 In a large bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg and molasses; beat for 1 minute. Alternately add the flour mixture and the water to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3 Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Serve warm. Spoon Lemon Sauce over individual servings. If desired, garnish with lemon peel strips. Makes 9 servings.

4 Lemon Sauce: In a small saucepan, stir together 2/3 cup sugar and 4 teaspoons cornstarch. Stir in 1/4 cup water, 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is slighty thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Gradually stir hot mixture into 2 beaten egg yolks. Return egg yolk mixture to saucepan. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Gradully stir in 6 tablespoons butter, cut up, stirring until melted. Stir in 1/4 cup half-and-half, light cream, or milk. Serve warm.

5 To Bake Ahead: Prepare and bake gingerbread as directed. Completely cool in pan on rack. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place gingerbread in an airtight container; cover. Freeze for up to 3 months. Prepare the Lemon Sauce as directed. Cool for 15 minutes. Spoon into an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. In a small saucepan, heat and stir over low heat just until warm.

Preparation Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
Servings: Makes 9 servings.