In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar and molasses. Add in vanilla and egg. In a separate bowl mix together remaining dry ingredients and combine well with butter/sugar mixture until a dough forms. Chill if possible for an hour before rolling out. Preheat oven to 375. Roll out cookies and using a floured cookie cutter, cut cookies and roll out remaining dough until all is gone. Bake for 7-10 minutes. For crispy cookies roll dough thinner than for chewy cookies. Play around with the thickness that you like best! Decorate with royal icing (recipe available under dessert recipes).