FOR THE CAKE

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a 9 x 5′ loaf pan. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the sugars and beat until fluffy (about two minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time.
4. Alternatively add the dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Once mixed together, divide the batter into two bowls. Add the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and molasses to one half of the batter.
5. Alternatively drop a tablespoon of each of the batters in a checkerboard pattern. Once you finish the first layer, drop tablespoons of the other batter on top of each of the first squares. You should have two layers of about 5 rows of three.
6. To marble the cake, gently run a knife through the batter using a swirling motion. Bake 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick when inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Place the cake on a rack to cool in the pan for ten minutes and then remove the cake from the pan and allow to cool on the rack.

FOR THE ICING

1. Blend the butter and cream cheese in a bowl. Beat in the vanilla and add the powdered sugar a bit at a time. Add the milk and blend until smooth.