In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 to 5 minutes.
Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to portion out dough balls, about 1.5 tablespoons each. Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat thoroughly.
Place the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!