Ingredients

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3-4 tablespoons white sugar (I used coloured sugar since I wanted the cookies to look festive)

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2 Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and salt. Set aside.

3 In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the orange juice, grated ginger, and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture and add the chocolate chips.

4 Cover and chill dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

5 Shape dough into walnut-sized balls, and roll them in the coloured 3 to 4 tablespoons of sugar.

6 Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly.

7 Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.  Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.