LEMON SAUCE FOR GINGERBREAD CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and sides of 9-inch square pan with shortening; lightly flour. In large bowl, beat gingerbread ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
• Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the cornstarch. Gradually stir in 3/4 cup water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining lemon sauce ingredients. Serve warm or cool.
• In chilled medium bowl, beat sweetened whipped cream ingredients on high speed until soft peaks form. Serve lemon sauce and sweetened whipped cream with warm gingerbread.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Beat shortening, sugar, molasses and eggs until well blended. Combine next five ingredients; add to molasses mixture alternately with hot water. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., Meanwhile, for lemon sauce, combine first five ingredients in a small saucepan until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. , Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Gently stir in butter, lemon juice and zest, increasing juice if needed to thin sauce. Serve with warm cake. Refrigerate leftover sauce.