Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices until combined.
4 ½ cups all purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 4 teaspoons ground ginger, 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground cloves, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Beat butter brown sugar and ¾ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup dark brown sugar
Add egg yolks and beat well until incorporated. Add molasses and beat until combined, scraping down sides as necessary.
2 large egg yolks, 1 cup dark molasses
Slowly add dry ingredients and beat until combined. Using a small ½" round scoop, scoop directly into shallow dish containing remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar. Roll to coat then place in shallow dish with confectioner's sugar. Press lightly to coat then place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets.
½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup confectioner's sugar
Bake, one sheet at a time, 9-12 minutes.
Immediately transfer to cooling racks. Cookies will look underdone but will stiffen up as the continue to cool.