1
                    
                        
                                    - 
                                        
                                            ¾
                                                cup
                                         butter, unsalted 
- 
                                        
                                            1
                                         egg 
 
                    Set out the butter and egg to come to room temperature.
                 
                
                    2
                    
                    Whisk the dry ingredients together and set aside.
                 
                
                    3
                    
                        
                                    - 
                                        
                                            ½
                                                cup
                                         sugar, dark brown 
- 
                                        
                                            ¼
                                                cup
                                         sugar, granulated 
 
                    Using a stand mixer, beat the sugar and butter (now room temperature) together on high speed until creamy and fully combined.
                 
                
                    4
                    
                    Add the molasses, and continue beating until combined.
                 
                
                    5
                    
                    Add the egg (now room temperature) and vanilla extract, and continue beating until combined.
                 
                
                    6
                    
                    Turn the machine down to slow, and add the dry ingredients a little at a time until a sticky dough has formed. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30min, but possibly overnight.
                 
                
                    7
                    
                    Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.  Remove dough from the refrigerator (if chilled longer than 2 hours, allow to rest at room temperature for 30 min).  Put the sugar in a small bowl.  Prepare two baking sheets by covering them with parchment paper.  Roll 1 tbsp of dough into a ball, and then coat in the sugar by rolling it around in the bowl.  Place each about 3" apart. Flatten each ball slightly until it is about 3/4" tall.
                 
                
                    8
                    
                    Bake for 11–12 minutes until the edges appear set and cracks form on the surface.