3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large (3 or 4 quart) saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool (at least 15 minutes).

Stir in sugar, molasses and egg; beat well.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cloves, ginger and cinnamon. Add to the mixture in the saucepan and mix well. Refrigerate for 2 hours (or overnight if preferred).

Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a greased cookie sheet or parchment paper with at least 2 inches of space between the cookies. Dough will spread as the cookies are baking.

Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 8-10 minutes.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies, depending upon the size of the cookies you've made. Larger cookies will take longer to bake.