Shanda's Ginger Molasses Cookies

 

INGREDIENTS
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened (or shortening)
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg, beaten
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2t baking soda
1t ground cinnamon
1t ground ginger
1/2t ground cloves
1/4t salt
3T granulated sugar

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 325°. Beat brown sugar and butter in a large bowl until creamy. Beat in molasses and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients, except granulated sugar.
Shape dough by rounded teaspoons into balls. Roll balls in granulated sugar. Place dough balls about 2 inches apart onto parchment-lined cookie sheet.
Bake 6-8 minutes, or until just set and cookies appear dry. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. (This is how you get a cookie that is soft in the middle, and "crunchy" on the outside)

You can also shape them with a Tablespoon, and bake them for 13-15 minutes.

note: If you are baking these at an elevations lower than 3500ft, change the flour to 2 1/4 cups and the baking soda to 2t.

-Shanda Lyman