Gingerbread Loaf

Difficulty: easy Prep Time: Ten Minutes Total Time: Under an hour
1/2 cup butter or shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 cup hot water

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and molasses; beat well. Blend in sifted dry ingredients. Add hot water last; beat until smooth. Bake in greased and floured 9x9-inch pan for 30 min. or until loaf is firm in middle.