2 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. hot water
1/2 c. light molasses
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional)

Grease a 9 x 1 1/2 inch cake pan. Mix dry ingredients, cut in shortening until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Set aside 1/3 cup crumbs. Stir together hot water and molasses; add to crumb mixture. Stir until just blended. Turn into prepared pan, sprinkled with reserved crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees 25 to 30 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired. Wonderful plain as a breakfast coffee cake.