SUE'S GINGERBREAD CAKE

1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 lg. eggs, room temperature
1/4 c. dark unsweetened molasses
1 tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger root
2/3 c. buttermilk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour 8 inch pan. Sift first 6 ingredients into a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating well between each one. Stir in molasses and ginger; mix in half dry ingredients then buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients until batter is combined. Pour into pan and bake for 40 minutes. Cool on rack. Top with whip cream or vanilla ice cream.