Martha's Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies

This is a Martha Stewart Recipe. They are soooo chewy and the molasses gives them an amazing flavor. Great for gift baskets.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unbleached flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground fresh nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (my addition)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.

3. In a shallow bowl, place 1/2 cup sugar; set aside.

4. With an electric mixer, beat butter and remaining 1 cup of sugar until combined. Beat in egg and then molasses until incorporated.

5. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in dry ingredients, *just* until a dough forms.

6. Pinch off and roll dough into 1" balls. Roll balls in the reserved sugar to coat.

7. Arrange balls on parchment lined baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake, one sheet at a time, until edges are just firm and top of cookies have a "crackle" effect, 10 to 15 minutes.

8. Cool cookies 1 minute on baking sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely.