This recipe makes lots. You can fill a holiday tin for friends and still have plenty for your own family. The cookies freeze well, too.

INGREDIENTS | MAKES 5 to 6 dozen

• 1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar, plus additional for rolling cookies
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup molasses
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 3 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a food processor, cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and molasses.

3. Sift together the remaining dry ingredients. Add in two or three batches to the creamed mixture, pulsing to blend. Dough will form a ball in the food processor.

4. Form dough into balls and roll in the additional sugar. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes (ball will flatten out and tops will crack during baking).