In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the beater attachment, cream margarine or butter with brown sugar until light. Add molasses and mix. Meanwhile, combine flour in a mixing bowl with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa. Add to creamed mixture, along with dissolved baking soda. Mix just until combined.

Stir in chocolate chips and chopped crystallized ginger. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll dough into one-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar, coating them completely. Place balls two inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.