Civil War Study: Gingerbread

During our Civil War study this year we made a few simple foods of the era like Johnny Cakes and Hard Tack.  Just like our soldiers of today, Civil War soldiers awaited special packages from home.  In these packages they would find items like socks, soap, and food.  One special treat was Gingerbread.

In honor of Flag Day (there's always a good reason to celebrate) we made Gingerbread once again today.

Gingerbread

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter (for buttering 9X9 baking dish)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup (1 stick butter, softened)

1 1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice
1 cup very hot tap water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a 9 X 9 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl combine flour and baking soda.  Cut soft butter into flour mixture with fork or pastry blender.

Measuring out the 2 1/2 cups flour

Dip-Level-Pour

Cutting butter in with pastry blender

My little baker

Add molasses, egg, cinnamon, allspice, and water.  Stir well.

Stir wet ingredients well into flour ingredients.

Pour batter into baking pan.  Bake 30-40 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

In the oven for baking

Done

We doubled our recipe to share with friends

  

Enjoy!