Preheat the oven to 350º. Generously butter a 7 x 10inch, or 8 x 8inch pan, and set aside.

Melt the butter, and cool for about 5 minutes.

Add the molasses, sugar, egg, vanilla 1 ingredient at a time, mixing well after each.

Measure the flour, baking powder, salt and spices into a medium bowl, and whisk together to blend completely.

Add flour mixture and the chocolate chips to the butter mixture and fold together until combined smoothly.

Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the pecans over the batter and the sugar over the pecans.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes – a toothpick inserted near the center should have only a few moist crumbs sticking to it.