This molasses-sweetened cake has so much flavor that it really doesn’t need frosting. Just serve it warm with a sprinkling of confectioners’ sugar.
1½ cups unsifted all-purpose flour
¾ cup whole-wheat flour
1½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
⅓ cup vegetable shortening or softened butter (or a mixture)
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
⅔ cup light molasses
1 large egg
1 cup water
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Stir together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cloves.
Beat together shortening and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Add flour mixture to molasses mixture along with water. Beat just until smooth. Pour batter into greased pan.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and cut into 12 rectangles.
12 Servings