Old Fashioned Gingerbread

1 cup of brown sugar
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon each: ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground cloves
1 cup molasses
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water, measured in a 2 cup measuring cup
Powdered sugar
Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 350*. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan. Blend the sugar and the shortening and mix in molasses. Add the baking soda to the boiling water and mix well. Combine the flour and the spices and sift. Combine the sugar- molasses mixture with the flour mixture and the baking soda-water liquid. Mix ingredients well and pour into prepared pan, Bake 45 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center of the gingerbread comes out clean.  Cool an sprinkle powdered sugar over the top.