Ingredients

• 1/2  cup butter
• 2  eggs
• 2-1/3  cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1/4  teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2  cup granulated sugar
• 1  cup mild-flavored molasses
• 1-1/4  cups cold water
•   Powdered sugar
•   Edible flowers (optional)

Directions

1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and cloves; set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until well combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add molasses; beat until well combined. Alternately add flour mixture and water to butter mixture; beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Pour into prepared pan.

3. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Serve warm sprinkled with powdered sugar and garnished with edible flowers, if you like. Makes 35 servings.