Christmas Gingerbread Pudding Cake

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, allspice and nutmeg in medium bowl. Set mixture aside.
3. Beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar on medium speed in large mixing bowl until creamy (1-2 minutes).
4. Add egg; continue beating until well mixed.
5. Reduce the speed to low, continue beating, alternately adding flour mixture with molasses and 1 cup water, beating after each addition only until blended.
6. Pour the batter into 13 x 9 inch baking pan; sprinkle with 3/4 cup brown sugar.
7. Combine 1 1/2 cups hot water and 1/3 cup melted butter in medium bowl. Carefully, pour over top of batter.
8. Bake for 40 to 55 minutes or until gingerbread is cracked on top and wooden pick in center comes out clean.
9. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.