Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine flour and spices, set aside.
In a separate bowl combine butter and ¼ cup of the sugar and mix with an electric mixer for 3 minutes.
Add milk, molasses, and vanilla. Continue mixing until well blended.
Add flour and spice mixture.
Shape dough into a ball, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Shape dough into teaspoon size balls.
Place remaining ½ cup sugar in a bowl and roll the balls into the sugar. Place balls on a silicone mat or parchment paper on a cookie sheet and flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Cool on pan for 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack.