2 c. sifted flour
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 c. shortening (butter), melted
1 egg
1/2 c. sour milk (add tsp. vinegar to milk to sour)
1/4 c. hot water
1 c. molasses

Heat oven to 350°F. Sift together first 7 ingredients. Stir in melted shortening, molasses, egg and sour milk. Beat in hot water.

Bake until cake will spring back when touched.