Step 1

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Grease and flour one standard jelly roll pan (standard cookie sheet) and set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and cloves.

Step 4

With the mixer on medium, beat together brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add in molasses then egg and mix until well combined.

Step 5

Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add in the dry ingredients until just combined.

Step 6

Use a spoon to stir in raisins.

Step 7

Scrape edges of the bowl with a plastic spatula to get the mixture together in a ball then scrape out onto a cookie sheet.

Step 8

Flour hands then carefully press dough into even layer on the floured cookie sheet.

Step 9

Bake 17-19 minutes depending on oven. Typically I'll spend half the time on the top rack and the other half on the bottom. Remove from the oven when toothpick comes out clean.

Step 10

Let cool completely before slicing into bars.