Preheat oven to 350
Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, and pepper in a large mixing bowl
In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and cream cheese until combined
Add melted butter to sugar and cream cheese and mix to combine.
Add milk, oil, egg, and vanilla to the sugar mixture and mix to combine.
Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, mix until combined.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, place about 1½ tbsp of dough on a cookie tray, about 3½ inches apart; these cookies will spread quite a bit to about 3 inches in diameter.
With the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, flatten the cookie dough to about ¼ inch.
Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the edges just turn golden brown