Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a bowl, stir well to mix. Beat together on medium speed, the butter and sugar for about 5 minutes until very light, fluffy and whitened. Add the egg and continue beating until smooth. Lower speed and beat in half the dry ingredients, then the molasses. Stop the mixer and scrape down bowl and beater. Beat in the remaining dry ingredients. Remove bowl from mixer and use a large rubber spatula to finish mixing the dough. Scoop out 1-inch diameter pieces of dough. Roll into balls, then roll in sugar.

Place the dough on the prepared pans. Bake for about15 to 20 minutes or until they have spread, the surface has crackled, and they are firm to the touch. Let cool on baking sheet 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. When cool, store in an air tight container