Snickerdoodles hold a special place in cookie lovers' hearts. Their cinnamon sugar coating and soft, cake-like interior make them an irresistible treat.
The name itself is fun to say and rather whimsical. The name's origins are debated, but it may be linked to the German phrase "Schneckennudeln," meaning snail noodles.
A simple ingredient list of pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon makes them easy for even novice bakers to make at home.
In this article, we will provide a step-by-step Snickerdoodle cookie recipe. So, continue reading to learn about it.
Ingredients Needed For Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Flour (all purpose) 2 ¾ cups
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon soda (baking)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- One cup (2 sticks) butter (unsalted and softened)
- One and half cups granulated white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Step-By-Step Instructions For Making Snickerdoodle Cookies
Step 1 - Mixing The Dry Ingredients
The first step is mixing the dry ingredients, including all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt, in a medium bowl. Whisk them together thoroughly until well blended.
The flour provides structure. The baking soda gives the cookies rise for a soft texture, the cream of tartar activates the soda for leavening, and the salt balances sweetness.
Step 2 - Mixing The Wet Ingredients
Next, in any large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. The butter provides rich flavor and tender texture.
Then, beat the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The eggs bind the dough and add moisture. Finally, mix in the vanilla until fully incorporated. The vanilla enhances the cookies' flavor.
Step 3 - Rolling In Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture
You can roll and coat the dough balls once the dry and wet ingredients are prepared. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl for the coating.
Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls and roll them into smooth spheres. Coat the balls fully in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, which adds a crunchy texture and sweet, spicy flavor when baked.
Step 4 - Baking Cookies
Bake the coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. The heat transforms the dough into baked cookies with crispy edges and soft, cake-like centers.
Step 5 - Cooling And Storing Cookies
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once completely cooled, store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Cooling ensures the interior finishes baking while maintaining a soft, chewy texture. Proper storage keeps cookies fresh and tasty.
Customizing Your Snickerdoodles
Playing With Spices
One easy way to put a twist on classic snickerdoodles is to experiment with the spice blend. You can add spices like cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon. Or opt for a dash of cloves and allspice. Mixing the spices creates dynamic flavor combinations while retaining that comforting snickerdoodle taste.
Mixing In Add-Ins
You can also customize snickerdoodles with various mix-ins folded into the dough. IN this Snickerdoodle mix recipe, you can add mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, toasted coconut flakes, or dried fruit like raisins or cranberries to make tasty additions.
The cookies will be baked with pockets of chocolatey, nutty, or fruity deliciousness. Just be sure not to overmix the dough when adding chunky mix-ins.
Getting Creative With Shaping
There's no need to stick to the traditional rounded shape either. For fun variations, shape chilled dough into cookie bars and slice into squares after baking. Or make sandwich cookies by spreading icing or caramel between two baked cookies.
Shaping the dough into ball logs and rolling in sprinkles are other unique ways to customize snickerdoodles to your liking.
Tips For Perfect Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies
Chilling The Dough
One of the most important steps is to chill the Snickerdoodle dough thoroughly before baking. Allow the prepared dough to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and overnight. This allows the flour to hydrate fully and the ingredients to mingle for better flavor.
Chilled dough will hold its shape better while baking for even cooking and texture. The chilled dough will take longer to bake, allowing the exteriors to crisp while the interiors remain fudgy.
Baking Until Just Set
Be sure to bake the cookies until they are set in the center and look slightly underdone. They should have just a hint of softness when gently pressed. This will create a crunchy, crispy cookie. Underbaking slightly preserves the soft, chewy interior.
Cooling Completely
After baking, allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The initial cooling helps set the centers while maintaining moisture.
Storing Properly
For the softest cookies, store fully cooled snickerdoodles at room temperature in an airtight container. The fridge can cause unused cookies to harden. Storing at room temp preserves the soft texture. Avoid plastic bags, which can lead to sogginess. Enjoy the cookies within 3-4 days for the chewiest freshness.
Why Make Homemade Snickerdoodles?
Healthier Ingredients
Baking snickerdoodles at home allows you to control exactly what goes into them. You can use natural ingredients like unsalted butter, pure cane sugar, and whole wheat flour for a tasty treat than store-bought versions made with processed ingredients. Making them yourself avoids artificial additives.
Customizable To Your Tastes
Homemade Snickerdoodle cookie mix recipe can be tailored to your personal preferences. Tweak the cinnamon spice blend, add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips, and experiment with different shapes.
Perfect For Gifts Or Parties
A batch of from-scratch snickerdoodles makes for a thoughtful homemade holiday gift. They also work well for parties or as a fun weekend baking project with kids.
Final Words
Snickerdoodles hold a special place as one of the most beloved and iconic cookie recipes. Their sweet cinnamon sugar coating and soft, cake-like texture make them an irresistible treat.
Recreating that classic Snickerdoodle flavor at home is easy to achieve with the simple ingredients and instructions provided. Freshly baked homemade snickerdoodles are unparalleled in taste and texture. So fire up your oven and enjoy this cherished recipe that delights kids and adults alike.
