Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium mixing bowl, blend flour, baking soda and spices together and set aside. In another bowl, cream together butter and 1/2 cup of sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg until well mixed. Then add molasses and mix to combine. Slowly add flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until thoroughly combined. Using rounded teaspoonfuls (or not quite full tablespoons), form dough into balls the size of walnuts and roll them in the extra 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet, approximately two inches apart. Lightly flatten each cookie. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.