1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
2 teaspoons soda
1 cup hot water
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Add molasses and mix well. In a small bowl mix soda and hot water together. Sift flour, spices, and salt together and add alternately with the soda -water mixture. Bake in 9x14 cake pan at 350°F for 30 minutes. Test cake for doneness.