Ingredients
Method
Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly grease 2 large baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.
In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter, shortening, and 3 cups sugar until light and fluffy and beat in molasses. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients and combine well.
In a small shallow bowl put remaining ½ cup sugar. Form dough into 2-inch balls and roll in sugar. On baking sheets arrange dough balls about 4 inches apart and flatten slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
Bake cookies in batches in middle of the oven 15 minutes, or until puffed and golden. (Cookies should be soft.) Transfer cookies with a metal spatula to racks to cool.