Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar for 4 minutes until light and fluffy and pale in color. Add egg, vanilla, and molasses and mix well.

Step 2

Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Mix just until combined to avoid over-mixing the dough.

Step 3

Place 1/2 cup of sugar into a small bowl. Roll dough into small balls and roll into sugar, coating well.

Step 4

Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake these cookies as they are meant to be soft

Step 5

Make Cream Cheese Frosting. In a mixing bowl, whip the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until thick and creamy. Let the cookies cool before frosting. Generously frost with cream cheese frosting.

Step 6

Store covered in the refrigerator or freezer.