Ingredients

• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 cup molasses
• ½ cup applesauce
• 2½ cups flour
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup hot water

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350℉ with a rack in the middle position. Grease and flour a 9" square baking pan.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then beat in the molasses and apple sauce.
3. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Mix into the molasses mixture. Stir in the hot water.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.