Molasses-And-Buttermilk Gingerbread Squares

I made these for the boy that mows our lawn for us. He does a really good job and as a result receives really yummy trats. Actually, we have a gardener do the front lawn and this nice young friend of ours does the back. We do this because we don't want all of the nutgrass from the front yard to spread the to the back because of using the same mower. And we also don't want to pay a gardner to do both and he receives money, not treats. Apparently these are not the days when we can just trade goods for work.

Well, I must say that this is a really great cake. I know the title says squares, which gives the impression of a bar cookie. But this is a cake. The buttermilk makes it extremely moist and it has the perfect blend of spices. It was easy to whip up and is great served slightly warm.

Molasses-And-Buttermilk Gingerbread Squares

From epicurious.com

Nonsick vegetable oil spray

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 c mild molasses

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c (1stick) unsalted butter, melted

1/2 c buttermilk

1 large egg

1 Tbls powdered sugar-for dusting

Preheat oven to 325F Spray 8x8x2-inch baking pan (I used 9") with nonstick spray. Sift flour , cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and soda into medium bowl.

In a large bowl, combine molasses, 1/2 c sugar, melted butter, buttermilk, and egg; whisk to blend.

Whisk in dry ingredients. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack. Dust with powdered sugar. Cut cake into 16 squares.