Molasses Spice Lemon Sandwich Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
•   Table salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup dark molasses
• 1 large egg
• 15 tablespoons unsalted butter, 12 tablespoons melted and cooled, 3 tablespoons softened
• 3 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Instructions

• 1. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and cloves together in medium bowl. In separate bowl, stir 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, molasses, egg, and melted butter together until combined. Add dry mixture to butter mixture in three batches, stirring after each addition. Cover bowl with plastic and refrigerate until dough is firm, about 1 hour.
• 2. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 3. Place remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar in small bowl. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Roll balls in granulated sugar, then transfer to prepared baking sheets, spacing balls 2 inches apart. Bake until tops are just beginning to crack, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating rack position and direction of baking sheets halfway through baking time. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Use remaining dough to make second batch of cookies.
• 4. Whisk remaining 3 tablespoons softened butter, lemon juice, and pinch of salt together in medium bowl. Whisk in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Turn half of cooled cookies over (bottom side up) and spread each with 1 teaspoon lemon filling. Sandwich with another cookie.