If you ever heard the song about short'nin' bread and wondered why Mammy's little baby loved it so --Bake some and find out!
Ever hear that old song?
“Mammy’s little baby loves short’nin’, short’nin’
Mammy’s little baby loves short’nin’ bread.
Put on the skillet,
Put on the led,
Mammy’s going to make a lil’ short’nin’ bread!
Ever hear the song and wonder what short’nin’ bread is? In an old cookbook, I found that short’nin’ bread is listed under cakes!
Shortening bread is really gingerbread, but without ginger, flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg and molasses instead and baked in an old well-seasoned iron skillet. I made some for the experience and it was a delicious treat.
Plan a Tea or a Way Down South Party: Some nice afternoon whip up a batch and have a little tea party or maybe a "Way Down South " party. Serve iced tea with a mint leaf or fresh milk in tall glasses. Find someone who knows the song to help you with the words and the tune.
Here are the ingredients needed to make a batch:
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup plus 2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup molasses
1 egg, slightly beaten
Assemble all the ingredients.
Set the Oven Temperature: Set the oven to preheat at 350 degrees. Have an adult help you set the oven temperature. Get out pot holders.
Step 1. Grease the iron skillet with a little touch of shortning and dust with flour. You can use an eight by eight inch metal or glass baking pan instead of an iron skillet. Just know that authentic shortening bread was baked in a ten inch black iron skillet.
Step 2. In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, cinnamon and nutmeg and set it aside.
Step 3. In another small dish dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk. Set that aside also.
Step 4. In a heavy saucepan, stir the butter and molasses and bring it to a boil. Stir it constantly.
Step 5. Add the molasses mixture to the flour, Stir in and then add the buttermilk and soda and then the beaten egg.
Step 6. Pour the whole mixture into the skillet and place in the oven.
Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.
Cool and Serve with milk for a nutritious Snack:
Gingerbread is simple to make and has molasses for sweetening rather than refined sugars With eggs and butter, it is a healthy cake needing no extra frosting or icing.
Cool in the skillet for about ten minutes before turning out unto a plate to serve or cut into wedges like pizza slices and serve with a pie server straight from the skillet. I believe that it is best served warm. Serve this delicious bread with cold milk. The whole family will love it!
