Gingerbread Cookies - Once Upon a Chef

Ingredients

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour, (spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• Heaping ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 6 tablespoons unsulphured molasses, (such as Grandma's Original)
• Royal icing or store-bought icing. (for decorating)