Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Combine the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground cloves
In another medium-sized bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the shortening for 30 seconds.
¾ cup vegetable shortening
Add the sugar and beat until fully blended, about 2 minutes.
1 cup granulated sugar
Add the molasses and egg. Beat until combined 1-2 minutes.
2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses, 1 large egg
Add the dry ingredients all at once.
Beat on low speed just until dry ingredients are moist.
Shape into 1½-inch balls.
Dip each ball into cold water and shake off excess water.
Roll the wet ball in sugar. (For a lighter coating of sugar, don't dip in the water first).
Place dough balls 3 inches apart on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet.
Bake for 11-14 minutes. (The cookie should be just a little underbaked when you take them out of the oven.)
Remove immediately from the cookie tray and place on cooling racks.