Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup hot water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment.
2. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy.
3. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and molasses until smooth.
4. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt together in a large bowl.
5. Gradually add flour-spice mixture to molasses mixture, beating well after each addition until well combined. Mix in water until smooth.
6. Pour into the prepared pan.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. If not, continue baking, checking often for doneness, 15 to 30 minutes more.
8. Let cool in the pan before serving.