Chewy Ginger Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat dark brown sugar and shortening in a medium bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add egg, molasses, and ginger; beat 30 seconds. Sift flour with next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, and beat at low speed until combined.

Place sanding sugar in a small bowl. Drop dough by level spoonfuls into sanding sugar, using a 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop; roll to coat. Place coated cookies 3 inches apart on 2 parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Bake, in batches, at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are fragrant and browned around edges. Cool on pans 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).