A spicy gingerbread topped with caramel apple slices.

GINGERBREAD:

1/2 c. melted butter
1/2 c. molasses
1/2 c. white sugar
1 egg
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. hot tea or water

APPLE LAYER:

3 tbsp. melted butter
1/3 c. brown sugar
3 apples

Combine butter, molasses, sugar and egg in a large mixing bowl and beat until well-mixed.

Sift flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt into a medium bowl. Stir into butter mixture and mix well.

Dissolve baking soda in hot tea or water and add to batter. Mix well.

Pour melted butter into a 9-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle evenly wit brown sugar. Peel, quarter, core and slice apples. Spread apple slices evenly in pan. Pour batter over apples.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Invert onto a plate. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Serves 9.