2 tbs. butter, softened

2 tbs. sugar

1 egg, beaten

½ cup molasses

1½ cup flour

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking soda

½ cup boiling water

1 tsp. vanilla

½ cup raisins or currants (optional)

Cream together butter, sugar, beaten egg, and molasses.

Mix in flour, salt, and baking soda.

Then add in boiling water, vanilla, and raisins or currants.  (To spice it up, you can add 1 tsp. ground ginger.)

To bake:  Pour into greased loaf pan and bake in water bath at 350°F for about 50 min. to 1 hr.

To steam:  Pour into greased metal container (traditionally a coffee can) and steam on the stove top about 1 hr.

Cook until inserted knife comes out clean. Serve warm with sauce and ice cream if you like.

 

Sauce:

½ cup butter

3 tbs. cream

½ cup sugar

½ tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients and stir over hot water until blended.