Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add in the molasses, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and mix until well combined.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water, and then add to the gingerbread mixture. Gradually mix in the flour, and mix until well combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Remove the gingerbread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the icing topping, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the icing over the cooled gingerbread loaf.

Slice and serve the Gingerbread Loaf, and enjoy!