In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using an electric hand mixer, cream the shortening with 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes on medium speed.
Add the egg and molasses to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well mixed.
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, form the dough into small balls. Roll each ball in the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, coating them evenly.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Lightly press on the dough balls to flatten for a crispier cookie.
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and crispy.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them maintain their perfect crunch.