Preheat oven to 375°F
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground clove
Cream together butter, sugars and eggs until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the dough while mixing on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl several times to ensure even mixing.
Form dough into 1 1/4 inch balls and gently roll in a shallow bowl filled with additional sugar. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets. Do not press down. Cookies will crackle towards the end of the baking cycle. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes until lightly brown and inside of crackles does not appear raw. Remove from oven and promptly transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Makes about 27 cookies.