Mix the boiling water and soda. Mix in remaining ingredients. Bake. Served topped with whipped cream. (Note: Because this gingerbread is baked in a pot at the hearth, there is no pan size, oven temperature or baking time provided. But 350ºF (180ºF) is typical and do test after 30 minutes by inserting a toothpick, which will come out dry when the cake is done.)