Step 1

Prepare the Dough: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until just incorporated after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating on low speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; chill 30 minutes.

Step 2

Prepare the Sugar Coating: Stir together sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and pepper in a small bowl until evenly combined.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 375°F. Unwrap Dough, and scoop using a 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop; shape into 30 balls. Toss balls in Sugar Coating in bowl until coated all over. Arrange coated balls 3 inches apart on 3 baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Step 4

Bake in preheated oven in 3 batches until cookie edges are slightly golden but centers are still soft, 8 to 10 minutes per batch. Let cool on baking sheets on a wire rack 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks; serve warm, or let cool completely, about 20 minutes.