Preheat the oven to 350. Add sugar, shortening, and butter to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix for 2-3 minutes until ingredients are fully mixed and fluffy.
Add eggs and molasses and mix until just combined. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and ginger. Mix until just combined.
Add the 1/4 cup of sugar to a shallow bowl or plate. Using a 1/4 cup cookie scoop, scoop out dough and roll it into a smooth ball in the palms of your hands. Drop the dough ball into the sugar and roll it around until it is completely coated. Alternatively you can just dip the dough ball so the top half is coated. Either works. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Bake at 350 for 8-11 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack. Enjoy!
