Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla: Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Shape and Roll

1. Form Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls.
2. Coat in Sugar: Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar until fully coated.
3. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake the Cookies

1. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
2. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.