Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease 9 inch round cake pan.
Add 1 cup cool water, molasses, sugar, oil, applesauce, ginger, and lemon zest in a medium mixing bowl. Mix vigorously with a whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture is glossy. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the ginger mixture and mix thoroughly until batter is smooth.
Pour into the cake pan. Bake until skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and top is springy to touch, about 55-60 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes.