Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the shortening until softened. Gradually add the 1 cup of granulated sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs and molasses; beat well. Add half of flour mixture; beat until combined. Stir remaining flour in with a wooden spoon.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the coarse or granulated sugar. Bake for 8 minutes, rotating pans and switching racks halfway through. Cool for 2 minutes and then transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
Notes
Makes 25 cookies.
Recipe by DessertedPlanet.com at http://dessertedplanet.com/molasses-cookies/