Gingerbread Pudding Cake

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup molasses

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in egg, molasses and water.  Stir together dry ingredients, then add to the molasses mixture and mix well.  Pour into a greases 8x8 baking dish.

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cups hot water

5 Tablespoons butter, melted

Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the batter.  Mix together hot water and melted butter, then gently pour over the top of the brown sugar (do not stir).  Bake a 350 until gingerbread is cracked on top, center is set and pudding underneath has thickened, about 45 to 55 minutes.  Scoop into bowls and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.