3/4 c. soft butter
1 c. light brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 c. molasses
2 1/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice
Pinch of nutmeg
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar

Cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and molasses. Mix dry ingredients, except sugar. Stir into batter (dough will be stiff). Form dough into a ball, wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Roll into balls (about a teaspoon of dough), dip into sugar, place on ungreased cookie sheet several inches apart (they flatten and spread). Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes.