1/2 cup butter or shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
3 egg yolks
1 tablespoon ginger
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 egg whites
3 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Beat together room temperature butter or shortening, sugar, molasses, egg yolks and ginger.

Mix together buttermilk and baking soda; stir well.

Add to beaten mixture. Sift or whisk flour and add to mixture (sifting several times makes a lighter cake).

In a clean bowl with clean beater, whip egg whites until they hold stiff peaks. Gently fold beaten egg whites in after all ingredients have been added.

Pour into a greased and floured 7 1/2 x 15-inch pan and bake for 45 minutes.