2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. dried crystallized ginger
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 1/4 c. dark brown sugar, firmly packed
3/4 c. salted butter, softened
1 lg. egg
1/4 c. unsulfured molasses

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a medium bowl combine flour, soda, salt, ground ginger, crystallized ginger, allspice, and pepper. Mix well with a wire whisk. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix sugar and butter with an electric mixer set at medium speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add egg and molasses and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add the flour mixture and mix at low speed just until combined. Do not overmix. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour - the dough will be less sticky and easier to handle.

Form dough into balls 1" in diameter. Place onto ungreased cookie sheets, 1 1/2" apart. Bake 24 to 25 minutes. Use a spatula to immediately transfer cookies to a cool, flat surface. Yield: 2 1/2 dozen.