Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  2 1/4           cups  all-purpose flour -- sifted
                        - before measuring
  2          teaspoons  baking soda
  1         tablespoon  ground cloves
  1         tablespoon  ground ginger
  1         tablespoon  ground cinnamon
  1         tablespoon  ground salt
     3/4           cup  unsalted butter -- softened
  1 1/2           cups  sugar
  1                     egg
     1/4           cup  molasses

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Have ungreased baking sheet(s) ready. Sift together the flour, baking soda, spices and salt; set aside. 2. Beat the butter and 1 cup of the granulated sugar in large bowl of an electric mixer on high speed until light, 1 minute. Add the egg and molasses; mix well. Stop the mixer and add the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. 3. Using about 1 1/2 teaspoons dough for each, roll dough into balls. Roll in the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar so they are fully coated. Arrange on baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. If you prefer a thin, crisp cookie, they may be flattened with a glass that has been dipped in sugar. 4. Bake until set, 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. First-place winner in the 1995 Chicago Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest: by Colleen Ries

Nutritional Information:

62 Calories (kcal); 2g Total Fat; (34% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 9mg Cholesterol; 44mg Sodium