Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13'' pan with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugar and butter until smooth and light.
Add the egg and molasses then mix well. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients together: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir to combine. Slowly pour in the hot water and stir until smooth (batter will be thin).
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Serve warm, topped with fresh sliced bananas, whipped cream, and vanilla cream sauce.
For the Vanilla Cream Sauce:
Add sugar, butter and cream to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until butter has melted.
Bring mixture to a boil then boil, stirring frequently, for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving over cake.
Video
Notes
Make Ahead Instructions: The homemade vanilla cream sauce recipe can be made a few days in advance. Store in the fridge in an airtight container.Storage Instructions: The gingerbread cake keeps well at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for about a week.Freezing Instructions: Wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight at room temperature before serving. If you'd like it warm, heat it in the microwave for a few seconds.Recipe given to me by a friend, as an adapted Lion House Recipe