Molasses Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Cream them together until they're light and fluffy.

Beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in the molasses until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Whisk together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually mix this into the butter-sugar mixture, and stir to bring everything together. Fold in the chopped pecans if you're using them.

Use a large cookie scoop to make two-inch balls of dough (if you don't have a scoop, shape the dough balls by hand.) Roll each ball in the coarse sugar. Arrange them on large, ungreased baking sheets, spaced 2-1/2 inches apart.

Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes; the cookies should have crinkled tops and be slightly firm at the edges. Remove the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.