Spiced Molasses Cake (WW2 recipe)

I found this recipe in a library book about New Brunswick housewives during World War 2. There were a lot of stories of how they made do with little rations, so our boys overseas would have the best. This was one of those recipes, made with no sugar, one of the most rationed products.

Spiced Molasses Cake.


1 cup molasses.
1 egg.
2 + 1/2 cups flour.
1 tsp baking powder.
1 tsp baking soda.
1 tsp salt.
1/2 tsp ground cloves.
1 tsp cinnamon.
3/4 cup milk.
1/2 cup shortening.

Preheat oven to 350 F; grease and flour 9 " cake pan.
Beat molasses and egg in a bowl. Sift together dry ingredients, add to molasses alternating with milk. Mix well, then beat shortening until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until; toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pan before turning out onto rack.

I have to admit, i was very skeptical about mixing the shortening in at the end. Especially since it was not melted. I was surprised when it went in very smoothly. Although i was using a mixer. I am sure a lot of ladies during the '40s did not have that luxury, i could not see myself to have the strength to beat something like hard shortening into an already solid mixture. Yes, i am spoiled. I love my Kitchen Aid mixer and, even though i have only had it a short time, i do not know what i would do with out it. 

Here is the batter with it all mixed in, after i poked it a bit to be sure there were no lumps of shortening 

hiding. 

The cake turned out quite nice, albeit a little dry. For a cake without sugar, it is sweet! It stores quite well covered in the fridge, and although i did not put any on it, it would probably do well with an icing.