Pre-heat oven, 350 degrees F.

Mix flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt.

In a separate bowl, cream butter and 1 cup of the sugar.

Beat egg into the butter and sugar and then add the water and molasses to that mixture.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ones.

Shape dough into balls about the size of a walnut.

Roll the balls in remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Place the balls on a parchmant-lined cookie sheet.

Flatten the balls slightly.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Let them cool on the baking sheet a bit (about 5 minutes) before you transfer to a wire rack to cool.

I store these in large zip-lock bags to keep them nice and soft. If it's going to be a while before I eat them, I sometimes add a slice of bread to the bag. I think that helps keep them soft as well.