1 cup raisins optional - pre soak in water or rum for 30 minutess
1/2 cup white sugar for rolling
Directions
In a bowl mix together the melted butter, sugar, and egg until blended.
Stir in the molasses
Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger and fold into the molasses mixture.
Cover, and chill dough for a mininum of one hour or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Roll dough into one inch sized balls, and roll them in the remaining white sugar.
Place cookies 2-1/2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets, lined with parchment paper or silicone baking liners.
Bake for eight to ten minutes in the preheated oven. Allow to rest on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool.
*This dough freezes well. Roll them into balls and flash freeze on baking sheet for 30 minutes, prior to placing into a ziploc bag or sealed container. When you are ready to bake , remove from freezer, roll them in the sugar and bake as usual. They make take an extra one or two minutes in the oven this way but you can make a many or as few as you like.