Pear Molasses Gingerbread Cake

This cake is guaranteed to make your house smell like Christmas, and will leave your mouth wanting more and more.  As we were eating this yummy dessert yesterday, my family decided that "Christmas in your mouth" summed it up perfectly.  This cake is seriously so good, I could eat it all day (and week, and month, and year).

INSERT HEART EYES HERE^^^

So, after you make this wonderful cake you must bring some to me because I love it oh so much! Hah just kidding, that's not in the directions (but it should be).  Also, if you want to go straight to heaven add a dollop of whipped cream, caramel sauce, and maybe some sliced bananas, careful, it might just put you in a coma because it's so good. 

Happy baking!

Pear Molasses Gingerbread Cake
INGREDIENTS
3 cups of flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups dark molasses

1 1/4 cups boiling water
1/2 cup diced pear (1 medium)
1 Tablespoon chopped candied ginger
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13" glass baking pan.
2. Sift and stir well together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy.  Gradually add eggs and sugar and beat with an electric mixer on high until batter is light in color and texture. Slowly beat in molasses.
4. Add flour mixture and stir with a spoon until it's just combined. You don't want to over mix this cake.
5. Stir in boiling water slowly, mixing well, then add diced pear and candied ginger.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
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