Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan.
• Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy.
• Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in egg, then mix in molasses until smooth.
• Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt into a large bowl.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to the molasses mixture, mixing after each addition until incorporated. Mix in water until smooth.
• Pour cake batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; it should come out clean. If it does, remove cake from the oven; if not, bake 15 to 30 more minutes, checking often for doneness.
• Allow gingerbread to cool in the pan before serving.