Hannah's Chewy Ginger Cookies

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp ground ginger
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 ½ cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
¾ cup sugar

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening on low for about 30 seconds. Add 2 cups of sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and molasses until combined. Mix in flour mixture, stirring by hand if necessary to incorporate it all.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in the ¾ cup sugar and place 1 ½ inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-9 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are puffed. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 4 dozen