Chewy, moist, pretty to look at and delicious, these cookies make good use of your spice drawer! 

Ingredients:

1.  2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 teaspoon baking soda
3. 1 teaspoon baking powder
4. ¼teaspoon  salt
5. 1 teaspoon  ground ginger
6. 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
7. ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
8. ¼  teaspoon ground cloves
9. ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
10. ¾ cups margarine
11. 1 cup sugar
12. 1 egg
13. ¼ cup molasses
14. ¼ cup sugar for coating

 Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, or sifter, combine the flour, soda baking powder, salt & spices.  Set aside.
2. Cream margarine and gradually beat in the cup of sugar.
3. Add the egg and molasses and mix well.
4. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, ½ cup at a time, and mix well after each addition.
5. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees and prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper 

1. Put the sugar for coating into a small dish.  Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the sugar.
2. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Leave on baking sheets for a minute and remove to cooling racks.

Yield:  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.  Becky’s original recipe is twice as big.  Doubling the recipe yields about 6 dozen cookies.  Perfect for gift giving time or for a crowd.