Gingerbread with Spirit


1/2 c. EACH: butter, sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. molasses
3/4 c. hot water
1/4 c. rum
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. powdered ginger
1/2 tsp. powdered cloves
whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350°.
Put butter in a large bowl, add the sugar
and then the egg, and beat well.
Sift flour with soda and salt,
and add to first mixture alternately
with molasses, water, and rum.
Add spices, pour into greased 9x12x2" pan
and bake for 45 min. Remove from pan,
cool, and top with whipped cream.