Add the water and ¼ cup of sugar to a small saucepan. Heat over medium until the sugar is dissolved. This will take 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the cranberries to the saucepan and stir to coat all of them.
Transfer the cranberries to a wire rack or dry for about 1 hour. Use a slotted spoon so the liquid in the saucepan doesn't transfer with the cranberries.
Add the remaining ½ cup of sugar to a bowl.
Add 5 to 10 cranberries at a time and thoroughly coat with the sugar.
Place on parchment paper or paper towel to dry. This will take about 1 hour.
Cake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray and lightly dust with flour. Tap out any excess flour. You can also use nonstick baking spray with flour to skip adding the flour to the pan after spraying it.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
Add the butter and sugar to a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium until creamed.
Add in the egg and molasses and continue to beat until incorporated.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat after each addition and then scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool to room temperature or serve warm.
Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar and add on the sugared cranberries.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.