Ingredients

1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
3/4 teaspoon anise extract/flavor

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Put powdered sugar into a brown bag.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, spices, and baking soda.  Set aside.

Place butter, brown sugar, and molasses in bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment.  Beat until light and fluffy -- 3 minutes or so. Beat in egg and anise. With mixer on low, add flour mixture; beat until just combined. 

On a clean surface roll dough into logs--circumference should be about the size of a quarter. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes until golden and firm. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.  Working in batches, place cookies into bag of sugar and shake until well coated.  Allow to cool completely on wire rack. Store in airtight container.