Pre-heat oven to 350F

Melt the shortening carefully in a pot on the stove. Watch it and take it off the heat when fully melted.

Combine the brown sugar, molasses, shortening and eggs in a mixer.

Place flour, baking soda and all the spices in a bowl and whisk to combine.

Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture in three parts. Blend well and be careful not to put mixer on too high and have the flour blow everywhere.

When all mixed together, add in the cup of boiling water.

Pour into a square baking dish

Cook in the oven for 30 min test with cake stick to make sure done, remove from oven and cool on a rack.

Serve plain or with whipped cream