Recipe: Big Soft Ginger Cookies

Big Soft Ginger Cookies
Newsgroup: alt.cookies.yum.yum.yum/LindaVE
Makes 24 cookies

2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons sugar

In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat butter, margarine, or shortening with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add the 1 cup of sugar; beat until fluffy. Add the egg and molasses; beat well. Stir dry mixture into egg mixture.

Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls (1 heaping tablespoons dough each). Roll balls in the 2 tablespoons sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheets about 2 1/2 inches apart.

Bake in a 350 degree oven about 10 minutes or until light brown but still puffed. (Do not overbake.) Let stand on cookie sheets for 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack and let cool.