In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
In a large mixer bowl beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended. Add the molasses and vanilla. Continue to mix until well blended. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until dough is smooth. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic. Let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375˚ F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place half of the divided dough on a floured surface. Roll dough to a little over 1/4-inch thickness. Flour your work surface and rolling pin as needed to keep the dough from sticking.
Cut out cookies with cookie cutters.
Place cookies 1½" apart on prepared cookie sheet. Bake one sheet of cookies at a time for 7-9 minutes, do not over bake. Cookies firm up after cooling.

Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow the cookies to cool until firm enough to move to a wire rack. Decorate your gingerbread men with icing, candies, or colored sugar when fully cooled.

Note: This recipe makes a firm dough for rolling, but don't be afraid to generously flour your rolling surface and rolling pin. Inexpensive pastry cloths and rolling pin covers work fabulously for cut-out cookies.  can buy the cloth and cover at most discount stores.