Preheat the oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper
In a small bowl whisk flour, baking soda, salt,cinnamon,ginger and cloves.
In a large bowl beat butter with both sugars until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes
Add egg and vanilla and molasses and beat in
Add four mixture to butter mixture and mix just until blended.Mjx in raisins
Chill dough 30 to 60 minutes.
Have garnish/rolling sugar spread out on a plate.
Roll batter into 1 inch balls, place in garnishing sugar.
Roll.in sugar to cover dough balls
Place on prepared pans 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes for chewy centers with crispy edges. Bake 14 minutes for a crisp cookie
Cool on pans 2 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely
NOTE; I listed the raisins as optional BUT for a wonderful chewy cookie that has a crisp edge please add them.and cook.for the shorter time.
