1 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 c. all-purpose or unbleached flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Sugar

In large bowl, beat 1 cup sugar, butter, molasses, and egg until light and fluffy. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Mix well. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes or until set. (Cookies will puff up and flatten during baking.) Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. 4 1/2 to 5 dozen cookies.