Spiced Ginger Bread  

½ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1 cup molasses 

3 eggs

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 tablespoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground mace

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ cup warm milk (105-115 F)

½ cup brandy

2 tablespoons grated orange rind

1/3 cup orange juice

1 cup raisins, optional

Cream butter; add sugar slowly mixing well.  Add molasses and eggs, beating well. 

Combine flour, cream of tartar and spices.

Dissolve soda in warm milk, add to creamed mixturealternately with flour mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture,beating well after each addition.  Stirin remaining ingredients.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 13 x 9 x 2 inchpan.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or untildone.  Cool completely.  Cut into squares to serve.

Serve with ice cream, whipped cream or powdered sugar. 

I love having a fruit like sliced peaches along side of this one.