Laura's Gingerbread

When Becky was still in elementary school, she was given this recipe. This is the Editor's note that came with the recipe. "When we heard that Laura Ingalls Wilder is famous far and wide for her gingerbread, we thought what fun it would be for the thousands of children who love her books to make Laura's Gingerbread for Christmas. Consequently we wrote to Mrs. Wilder and she graciously sent us the recipe and wishes for good luck to all who try it!" Becky and I tried it and it is fabulous. Hot from the oven and with a little whipped cream on it, it is a dessert deluxe.

1 cup brown sugar, blended with
1/2 cup lard or other shortening.
1 cup molasses mixed well with this:
2 tsp. baking soda in 1 cup boiling water(Be sure cup is full of water after foam is run off into cake mixture).
Mix all well.
To 3 cups of flour, have added one tsp. each of the following spices: ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves; and 1/2 tsp. salt. Sift all into cake mixture and mix well.
Add lastly 2 well-beaten eggs.
The mixture should be quite thin.
Bake in a moderate oven for thirty minutes.
Raisins and, or candied fruit may be added and a chocolate frosting add to the goodness.