4 c. sifted flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. molasses
2 med. eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, spices and salt; set aside. Cream the butter with the sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the molasses and mix in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, mixing well each time. Put extra sugar on plate and coat walnut sized dough lumps with the sugar. Place 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 14 minutes until light golden. Makes 5 dozen.