Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   Sift together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt into a bowl.
3. 3
   Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at moderately high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
4. 4
   Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in molasses.
5. 5
   (Batter may look separated.)
6. 6
   Mix in flour mixture at low speed, then water, mixing until batter is smooth, about 1 minute.
7. 7
   Pour batter into a buttered 9-inch square metal baking pan (2 inches deep).
8. 8
   Bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
9. 9
   Cool in pan on a rack, about 20 minutes, then serve warm.