Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom, and ground cloves. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they’re evenly blended, then set the bowl aside.
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the softened unsalted butter with 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar. Mix for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, pour in the vanilla extract and continue to mix until the batter is smooth and uniformly combined.
Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
In a small bowl, mix together the ¼ cup of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon—this will be the delectable coating for your cookies.
Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the dough and roll it between your palms to form a ball. Once rolled, coat the ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring it is evenly covered.
Arrange the cinnamon-sugar coated dough balls on the parchment-lined baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches between each ball for expansion during baking.
Transfer the baking sheets to your preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are ready when the edges are set, and the tops appear slightly cracked. Remember, they will firm up further as they cool.
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. After this brief cooling, use a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For an inviting touch, serve the cookies stacked on a rustic wooden platter, alongside a small pot of freshly brewed chai tea.