1 cup light brown sugar, packed
¾ cup butter, softened
1 egg, room temperature
¼ cup molasses
2 ¼ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup sanding sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In bowl of an electric mixer, beat brown sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat until just combined. Add molasses and beat for 30 seconds more. Scrape down bowl with a spatula. In a separate bowl, stir flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt together. With mixer on a low setting, gradually add dry mixture until well-combined. Remove bowl from mixture and scrape bowl down again. Place sanding sugar in a small bowl. Using a 1½-inch dough scoop, roll dough between your hands to form a ball. Drop dough in bowl of sugar and roll around until completely covered. Place balls on a cookie sheet, about 3 inches apart, and continue process until all dough has been used. Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a rack to cool. Store cooled cookies in a lidded container until ready to serve.