Snickerdoodles are never a bad idea. Need proof? Just try this top-rated snickerdoodle recipe. The light and fluffy cookies are sweetly spiced with sugar and cinnamon, then baked to warm perfection.
What Is a Snickerdoodle?
Snickerdoodles are soft, slightly tangy cookies coated in cinnamon-sugar. Because they’re rolled and covered in cinnamon-sugar, snickerdoodles tend to have a cracked appearance when they’re fully baked. Nobody quite knows where the cookie got its name, but some speculate it comes from ”schneckennudel” (a cinnamon-spiked German dessert).
Snickerdoodle Ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this top-rated snickerdoodle recipe:
· Sugar: This snickerdoodle cookie recipe starts with 1 ½ cups of white sugar.
· Butter and shortening: A blend of butter and shortening creates the ideal rich, fluffy, and soft texture.
· Eggs: Two large eggs add moisture and richness. Plus, they help bind the dough together.
· Vanilla: Vanilla extract lends complexity and enhances the overall flavor.
· Flour: All-purpose flour has gluten, which gives the dough structure.
· Cream of tartar: Most snickerdoodle recipes call for cream of tartar, an ingredient that gives the cookies their signature tangy flavor and pillowy texture.
· Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, which means it helps the cookies rise.
· Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
· Cinnamon-sugar: The snickerdoodles are rolled in a sweet, cozy mixture of cinnamon and sugar before they’re baked.
How to Make Snickerdoodles
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these irresistible snickerdoodles:
1. Make the dough: Beat the sugar, butter, shortening, eggs, and vanilla together. Mix the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then stir until well-combined.
2. Roll the dough: Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls. Roll each ball in cinnamon-sugar until they’re all evenly coated.
3. Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven until they’re set, but not too hard. Cool on a wire rack.
How to Store Snickerdoodles
Allow the snickerdoodles to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Enjoy within five days.
Can You Freeze Snickerdoodles?
Yes! You can freeze baked and unbaked snickerdoodles.
Arrange the baked cookies on a baking sheet and freeze them for a few hours or up to overnight. When they’re frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to one month.
To freeze cookie dough, arrange the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze them for a few hours or up to overnight. When they’re frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to three months. Follow the recipe when you’re ready to eat them, but add a few minutes to the bake time to account for the frozen temperature.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
“This is the perfect cookie for three reasons,” says sue. “1. Almost always, the ingredients are on hand 2. Kids love to make these! Littlest ones love to roll in cinnamon. 3. They taste great!”
“I am in the process of making these and the first batch came out wonderful,” according to Kelsi. “My boyfriend loved them! Great Recipe reminds me of my grandma and my childhood!”
“This was a wonderful recipe,” raves cheryl. “The cookies were nice and crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, just like a snickerdoodle should be.”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams