Molasses Spice Cookies

 12 tablespoons butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup molasses

2 ¼ flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

1 ½ teaspoons ginger

½ cloves

Dash cardamon

¼ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon salt

 

¼ cup sugar & ¼ cup turbinado sugar for rolling the cookies in before baking.

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together all dry ingredients.  In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugars until very fluffy.  Now beat in the vanilla and egg yolk for about 20 seconds. On very low speed add the molasses and beat for another 20 seconds or so.  Now on low speed or by hand mix in the dry ingredients.  Chill dough for 20 minutes, then roll the dough into balls and roll them into the sugar mixture.  Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake for about 11 minutes. Do not overbake.  Cool cookies on the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.