Molasses Spice Cookies

1 . Stage

Whisk together the dry ingredients: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Vigorously whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice in a bowl and set aside.

2 . Stage

Mix the butter, sugar, and wet ingredients: Use an electric mixer and beat the butter for 2 minutes. Add the brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes at medium speed. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses. Beat until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

3 . Stage

Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.

4 . Stage

Make the dough balls and roll them in sugar: Place the remaining 1/3 cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Working with 2 tablespoons of dough each time, roll the dough into 1 3/4-inch balls. Roll the balls in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart.

5 . Stage

Bake: Bake one sheet at a time on the center rack at 375°F, until the outer edges of the cookies begin to set and the centers are soft and puffy, 11 to 13 minutes. Cool the cookies on the sheets for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring them to cooling racks. Do not overcook! The centers of the cookies should be somewhat soft and spongy when you take them out of the oven, otherwise they will end up hard and dry.