½ cup sugar

¾ teaspoon soda

1 cup GRANDMA’S MOLASSES

2 eggs

1 cup hot water

Heat oven to 350° F. (moderate). Sift together first six ingredients. Cream shortening, sugar, and soda. Add molasses. Stir in ½ cup flour mixture. Beat in eggs. Add hot water alternately with remaining flour mixture (about ⅓ of each at a time). Beat ½ minute. Bake 45 minutes or until done in a well-greased, lightly floured, 9x9x2-inch pan.

YIELD: 9 to 12 servings.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN GINGERBREAD

Topping

1 tablespoon butter or margarine