Spicy Pecan Pudding Cake

Sauce:
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/4 cups water
3 Tbsp. butter

Cake:
2 Tbsp. butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup milk
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans
pecan halves

Make a sauce of brown sugar, water and butter by combining in saucepan and bringing to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Cream butter and sugar. Sift dry ingredients together and add to sugar mixture alternately with milk. Add chopped pecans. Spread batter in a greased 9 x 9 pan. Carefully pour sauce over the batter. Arrange pecan halves on top of syrup. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm with sweetened whipped cream.