Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures your cookies start baking at the right temperature for that perfect texture.
To start, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and your warm spices: ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg. Set this aside; it’s important to combine the dry ingredients evenly.
Next, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat unsalted butter and light brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. This aeration will help create a light texture in your cookies.
Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until these are well combined. Then, pour in the molasses and continue mixing until fully incorporated.
With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture. Pour it in a little at a time, ensuring everything is mixed properly. Be careful not to overmix at this stage as it can toughen your cookies.
Once your dough is just mixed and free from visible flour, scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Roll these in granulated sugar for that sweet exterior.
Place the sugared dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. They will spread while baking, so leave plenty of room.
If you prefer, you can gently press down on each cookie with a spatula to flatten them slightly. For puffier cookies, leave them as is.
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 8 minutes. You want them to remain soft and not overbake.
After 8 minutes, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them sit on the baking sheet for two minutes, allowing them to firm up a bit before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
For storage, keep the cookies in an airtight container on the counter. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. If you want to enjoy them longer, you can freeze the cookies for up to 1 month.
