Molasses Ginger Cookies

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 Tablespoon hot water
• 1 ½ teaspoons white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• Extra sugar for sprinkling

1. Let the butter slightly soften. (Cut the butter stick in 8 pieces and wait about 10 minutes.)
2. Cream the sugar with the butter.
3. Stir in the molasses and egg.
4. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water. Add to the mixture and stir.
5. Add vinegar and stir.
6. Add vanilla, ginger, and cinnamon. Stir.
7. Stir in the flour gradually until completely mixed, but be careful not to overstir. (Overstirring can ruin the chewy texture of the of the cookie.)
8. Cover the bowl and chill, preferably overnight, but at least 4 hours.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degree.
10. Line cookie sheet with a silicone baking sheet or parchment paper.
11. Make nickel marble sized balls of dough and place on the sheet. These cookies are small, but spread considerably, so I only baked 15 (3 x 5) at a time.
12. Return the dough to the refrigerator.
13. Slightly flatten the balls and sprinkle with some extra sugar.
14. Bake on the oven center rack for 12 minutes.
15. Remove and cool for 5 minutes.
16. Transfer to racks to continue to cool.
17. Let the cookie sheet completely cool between batches.
18. Repeat the baking process until all cookies have been baked.

Serve and enjoy.