Snickerdoodles are an all-time favorite dessert; they’re light, fluffy, and have a tangy yet sweet flavor thanks to the cream of tartar. Since they’re easy to make and don’t require many ingredients or chilling time, everyone just loves them.
You might wonder: Are Snickerdoodles Christmas cookies? because you intend to serve them during the upcoming holiday season. You’ll be thrilled to learn that they are, and you can add some minor customization to add a festive tweak to them.
Keep reading to uncover more about Snickerdoodles, from their history to the best way to make them.
How Did Snickerdoodles Get Their Name?
There are a couple of stories that explain the origin of the name, however, none of them are definite.
“The Joy of Cooking,” which is a popular cookbook by Irma Rombauer, explains that Snickerdoodles are derived from the German word “schneckennudeln,” which can mean “snail dumpling” or “crinkly noodles.” Both don’t seem to relate so much to the nature of the Snickerdoodle cookie, however.
Another explanation is that Snickerdoodles have Dutch origins, and the name is some sort of abbreviated version of “Saint Nicholas,” or “Sinterklaas,” in Dutch, from which “Santa Clause” originated.
Since they’re a combination of cinnamon cookies and sugar cookies, the name “Snickerdoodle” might have come up in the name to add an exciting and quirky twist.
Are There Christmas Snickerdoodles?
Christmas Snickerdoodles are a special variant of the classic ones. You can make them with some holiday spices like cloves, nutmeg, and a generous amount of cinnamon.
Moreover, you can give them a Christmas look by rolling them in colored sprinkles of sugar before you bake them.
What’s the Best Christmas Snickerdoodle Recipe?
If you’ve decided to make Snickerdoodles for Christmas and want the best outcome, here are the ingredients you’ll need and instructions on how to bake them perfectly for the holiday.
Ingredients for the Topping:
- 2 tsp of cinnamon
- 3 tbsp of sugar sprinkles (red and green to match the theme)
Ingredients for the Cookies:
- ½ tsp. of cream of tartar
- ½ tsp. of baking soda
- ½ tsp. of salt
- 3 ½ cups of flour (all-purpose)
- ½ tsp. of peppermint extract (to add a relevant Christmas taste)
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 eggs
- A cup of softened butter
- 1 ½ a cup of sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375℉.
- Combine the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
- Mix the butter and sugar until you get a smooth texture.
- Add the eggs and vanilla, then stir again until the consistency is smooth.
- Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the mixture you’ve made until everything is well integrated.
- Mix the cinnamon and sugar for the topping.
- Shape the dough into 2-inch-sized balls and roll them in the topping.
- Place them on cookie sheets and press them until they become flat.
- Bake for eight to ten minutes.
Recipe Information:
How many cookies does it yield? | 18 |
Calories per serving | 258 |
When Did Snickerdoodle Cookies First Appear?
The first time America recognized Snickerdoodle cookies was in the 19th century. Americans derived it from New England and made it with a generous amount of butter and cinnamon.
What’s the Difference Between a Snickerdoodle Cookie and a Sugar Cookie?
While some may consider Snickerdoodles a type of sugar cookie, both types are prepared in quite different ways.
The most distinctive difference is that Snickerdoodles include cream of tartar in their ingredients, which is hardly used in dough cookies, especially not sugar ones.
Moreover, Snickerdoodles have to be rolled in cinnamon before you bake them to give them their special and unique appearance.
FAQs
Do I have to roll Snickerdoodles in cinnamon sugar?
If you or other members of your family or friends aren’t big on cinnamon, you don’t have to roll the cookies in cinnamon sugar.
Instead, you can simply sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top of the cookies before you bake them.
How long can I store Snickerdoodles?
You can secure Snickerdoodles for up to a week at room temperature if you put them in an airtight container.
Alternatively, you can store them for up to three months if you freeze them.
Can I make Snickerdoodles without cream of tartar?
If you don’t like the distinctive taste of cream of tartar or have an allergy, you can drop the ingredient from the recipe.
However, your cookies will lose plenty of their texture, making them less fluffy. Yet, you’ll still get the same sweet taste.
Final Thoughts
While the origins of the name are uncertain, the one thing that remains true is that Snickerdoodles are as popular as ever today.
You can add small tweaks to make them Christmas-themed, but whether they’re a Christmas cookie or not is left for you to decide.
So, what are you waiting for? Try out the Christmas Snickerdoodle recipe and surprise your guests with one of the most delicious cookies with a festive twist!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.