Molasses Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar + more for rolling
1 egg, room temperature
1/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat the oven to o 375�F. Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle and mix until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the egg, molasses and vanilla, beating well an scraping down before each addition; mix until light and fluffy. Add the flour, baking soda, salt and spices, mixing until everything is well incorporated.

To form the cookies, break off small pieces and roll into 1" balls. Roll the balls in the additional sugar and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Transfer the cookies to the oven and bake until they begin to brown, 8-12 minutes. For crisper cookies, cool on the cookie sheet. For softer cookies, cool for 2 minutes and then remove to a rack. Cool the cookie sheets between batches.

Makes 3-4 dozen.