Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large bowl or the bowl of your mixer beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy. Beat in the molasses, egg and vanilla until completely combined.
In a separate bowl stir together the flour, baking soda, spices and salt. Add to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into a ball in the granulated sugar. Place dough balls on the baking sheet 2" apart. Place in the oven 1 baking sheet at a time and bake 8-10 minutes until puffed, cracked on top and just turning golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before placing on a cooling rack.
Store in an airtight container up to a week or in the freezer even longer.