Irresistible Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies

How can anyone resist Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies?  The scent is so tantalizing as they bake, and they taste so good!  The smell and flavour of an old fashion molasses cookie epitomizes Christmas!

This recipe was handed down from my grandmother, to my mother, and now I've inherited it.  Although I can never seem to create baked goods as well as they did, I do okay  :-)

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup molasses
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp     cinnamon
1/4 tsp  cloves
pinch     salt
2/3 cup course sugar for coating

In large bowl, cream butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses.  
In separate bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix until just combined.

Put course sugar in shallow plate or bowl. Scoop dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon balls. Roll in sugar to coat. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Flatten balls slightly.

Bake at 350^o for 11 minutes, just until edges are firm to the touch. Remove from oven immediately. Let cool on sheet for five minutes then transfer to cooling rack. 

These cookies will harden as they cool, so it's important not to overbake them.