Little girls in hoop skirts and boys in ruffled collars ate gingerbread, too.

Heat oven to 325°.

Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.

Mix thoroughly

Blend in

Stir in

1/2 cup soft shortening 2 tablespoons sugar l egg

1 cup dark molasses 1 cup boiling water

2 1/4 cups sifted Gold Medal Flour 1 teaspoon soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat until smooth.

Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes. 9 servings.

Fire Dog Topping

Spread over hot gingerbread a mixture of

3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar 2 tablespoons milk

Sprinkle brown sugar over top. Serve warm.

Whiz Gingerbread

For this delicious quickie, make as directed on Betty

Crocker Gingerbread Mix package.

"You'll love this gingerbread with a dish of icy-cold applesauce." Betty Crocker