This is an old-timey recipe, and still very good.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup molasses

1 cup boiling water
2 eggs, well beaten

Sift the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt together on a piece of waxed paper.
Beat the shortening and sugar together, then beat in the molasses.
Add the dry ingredients to the creamed stuff, alternately with the boiling water, starting and ending with the dry.
Stir in the eggs.
Grease and flour a 13×9″ pan.  Pour the batter in and top with cinnamon sugar.  Bake at 350* for 30 minutes or until it tests done.
This cake doesn’t need frosting, the cinnamon sugar is adequate.