This is delicious with Coffee Caramel Sauce (page 256) and diced pears, or just with whipped cream.

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a Bundt cake pan.

• In one bowl, mix together the sugar, oil, molasses, and boiling water. Set aside. In another bowl, mix together the baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and flour.

• Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then mix in the eggs.

• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour. Let cool, unmold, and cool completely.

• Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into slices.

Hard Sauce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hard sauce is traditionally served with steamed puddings, but it is delicious on warm ginger-bread too. Simply whip these ingredients together: 4 ounces butter, 1½ cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 ounce orange liqueur, and 1 teaspoon orange zest.