Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and have ready two ungreased baking sheets.

Step 2

Thoroughly whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cocoa powder.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together oil and sugar until well mixed. Beat in the egg and molasses, scraping bowl often.

Step 4

Add the flour mixture and stir until well blended. If using candied ginger bits, go ahead and add that too. You should have a fairly soft dough

Step 5

Shape into 20 to 24 balls (I use a medium size cookie scoop and get about 20). Roll the balls in sugar or put them in a bag with extra sugar and shake to coat. The dough is a little soft so the balls will spread a bit.

Step 6

Arrange on ungreased baking sheets spacing about 2 inches apart. If the cookies spread, tap the edges inward with the tip of a spatula to form neat circles.

Step 7

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 12 minutes or until cookies appear cracked and set.