Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), get out a 9x13 baking pan and grease with butter or cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl, add the shortening and sugar, cream together with an electric mixture until smooth.
Beat in the eggs until well mixed. Beat in the water and molasses.
In another mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt. Whisk together.
Add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture, stir together well.
Spread in the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire rack, about 1-2 hours.
Cut into bars or squares, dust each with powdered sugar if desired.
Serve and enjoy.