from the kitchen of Shirley Goldstein
(2017 Christmas Cookie Exchange)

3/4 cups firmly-packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon molasses
1 Tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon ginger
1 Tablespoons hot water
½ of 27 oz. jar of mincemeat
(optional) 1/4 cup raisins (I don’t use them.)

Cream together brown sugar, eggs, molasses, butter, and vanilla. Combine flour, soda and spices. Add to creamed mixture. Mix in water. Add mincemeat and raisins. Spread dough in 13x9x12 inch pan. Dough will puff and fill in gaps as it bakes. Bake at 400 degrees for 13 minutes or just until soft to the touch.

Frost with vanilla frosting while warm and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Cut in 2 inch bars when cool.