Spice Cookies

Directions

1. 1
   Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   Butter 2 large baking sheets.
3. 3
   Whisk together flour, spices, and salt in a bowl.
4. 4
   Stir baking soda into warm water in a cup until dissolved, then stir in molasses.
5. 5
   Beat together butter and sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
6. 6
   Beat in baking soda mixture until combined well, then beat in flour mixture until just combined (dough will be crumbly but will hold together when rolling balls).
7. 7
   Working with half of dough, roll level teaspoons of dough into balls, arranging them about 2 inches apart on 1 baking sheet.
8. 8
   Flatten balls into 1 1/4-inch rounds with tines of a fork, dipping fork in flour to prevent sticking if necessary.
9. 9
   Bake cookies until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool.
10. 10
    Make more cookies with remaining dough on remaining baking sheet in same manner.