Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9x5 inch bread loaf pan (Spray with non-stick spray, line with parchment paper with paper extending well past the rim of loaf pan for ease in lifting loaf out of pan once cool).

Beat the butter and granulated sugar until completely mixed. Add vanilla and egg; beat well until batter is smooth and light. Add apple butter (or applesauce/pear puree). Blend well.

In separate bowl, sift together the all purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, a little at a time, mixing as you add. Once batter is fully mixed, evenly distribute it into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 55 minutes. Check it at 50 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the top/middle of the loaf. If the toothpick comes out clean, the gingerbread is done. Once done, remove pan to a wire rack to cool completely before lifting the loaf from the pan.

Prepare the icing while gingerbread is baking by using electric mixer and blending room temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla into a creamy, no lumps, thick icing.

Once gingerbread has completely cooled, spread icing completely over the top (and let some run off the sides). Dust the icing with a small amount of ground nutmeg. Let icing firm up just a bit, then cut a piece, serve, and enjoy!