In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add the sugar; beat until fluffy. Add the egg and molasses; beat well. Stir dry mixture into egg mixture.
Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls (1 heaping tablespoon of dough each). Place about two tablespoons of sugar onto a flat surface. Roll balls in the sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheets about 2 1/2 inches apart; add sugar to the surface as needed.
Bake in a 350-degree oven about 10 minutes or until light brown but still puffed. (Do not overbake.) Let stand on cookie sheets for 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack and let cool.