Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, Garam Masala spice blend and salt. In a shallow bowl, place 1/4 cup sugar; set aside.

2. With an electric mixer, beat butter and remaining cup of sugar until combined. Beat in egg and then molasses until combined. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in dry ingredients, just until a dough forms.

3. Pinch off and roll dough into balls, each equal to 1 tablespoon. Roll balls in reserved sugar to coat.
   Arrange balls on baking sheets, about 3 inches apart.

4. Bake, one sheet at a time, until edges of cookies are just firm, 10 to 15 minutes (cookies can be baked two sheets at a time, but they will not crackle uniformly).

5. Cool 1 minute on baking sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoon Kashmiri Garam Masala
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses