Honey Bread

Stir together the boiling water, sugar, honey, baking soda and salt until the sugar dissolves. Mix in, thoroughly, the rum and cinnamon. Stir the flour in slowly to make a smooth batter. Add the grated orange rind, if desired.

Pour the batter into a well buttered loaf pan (9 x 5 x 3 inches). For the first 10 minutes, bake in a very hot oven, 450 degrees F, then reduce the temperature to moderate, 350 degrees F, for one hour longer, or until it tests done.

Turn the bread out on a wire rack to cool. Slice bread thinly and spread with butter. It is even more delicious the second day.

May be baked in two smaller pans (7-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 2-1/4 inches). In this case, reduce the total cooking time by 15 minutes, or until they test done.