Cocoa Marble Gingerbread

I'm in the mood for baking today, and I think I'm going to make Cocoa Marble Gingerbread. I found the recipe years ago in, I think, the Hershey's cookbook. My husband likes gingerbread, and I love anything with chocolate, so this makes us both happy :)

COCOA MARBLE GINGERBREAD
(Yield: 12 servings)

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup light molasses
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup boiling water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

~ Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13 x 9-inch pan and set aside.

~ In large mixing bowl, combine shortening, sugar and molasses. Beat well. Blend in eggs.

~ Stir baking soda into boiling water to dissolve. Add alternately with flour and salt to creamed mixture.

~ In medium bowl stir cocoa into 2 cups of batter.

~ Add spices to remaining batter in large mixing bowl.

~ Alternately spoon batters into prepared pan. Swirl gently with a knife or spatula for a marbled effect.

~ Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

~ Cut into squares and serve warm or cool with sweetened whipped cream, if desired.