Thursday, April 30, 2009

Snickerdoodles

IMG_3411

To be honest, I never thought I would like snickerdoodles. It seemed like just another sugar cookie with cinnamon sugar. And it is really a sugar cookie covered in cinnamon sugar, except that.. wow.. cinnamon and cream of tartar makes a huge difference. I'm guessing it's the cream of tartar that gives these a distinctive chew because my sugar cookies never end up with that kind of texture and the recipes are very similar. To be honest, these were a little bit on the cakey side and if I didn't flatten the cookies first, I probably would have ended up with snickerdoodle cake bites. I can't wait to try another recipe...maybe one with more butter (that should do the trick). Here's the recipe if you're interested.

Chewy Snickerdoodles
Cook's Illustrated

3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
10 tablespoons unsalted butter at cool room temperature
1 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and adjust a rack to the center position. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and optional nutmeg in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat the butter and one and one half cups sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until well incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add the dry ingredients and beat on the lowest speed until the moistened, increase to medium and beat 30 seconds.
3. Mix together in a small bowl the remaining three tablespoons sugar and ground cinnamon. Shape the dough into walnut sized balls (approximately two tablespoons each), dip in cinnamon sugar, and place on prepared cookie sheet three inches apart. (You can use a small ice cream scoop to portion out the cookies.) Bake one sheet at a time until the cookies are very lightly colored around the edges, the tops have cracked and the cookies have puffed and started to deflate, about 12 minutes. Cool on a rack. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
Makes about 24 cookies.

35 comments:

  1. I've seen a lot of those around, they must be typically American, for I don't know them... but I will have to try them sometimes! Their name's so cool!
    Very nice, Steph!

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  2. I was never a huge fan of these until two of my friends declared them the best things ever... since then I've totally come to appreciate them :) And they love it when I bake them and share :)

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  3. Mmm I love snickerdoodles. You should try the Martha Stewart recipe.

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  4. LOL I was the same way with snickerdoodles, I was like why would anyone want to eat this boring sugar cookie, then I had one and was like "oh, ok!".
    Wait till you try the muffin version.
    I'm trying to think of a way to make a shortbread with it.

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  5. i've never made them before.. do they also involve shortening?

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  6. Now you know I love snickerdoodle-y desserts right? Well, I've never actually made snickerdoodles. The only kind I've eaten were the prepackaged kind. Sad, right! When you hit on the right recipe I'm going to give them a try.
    ~ingrid

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  7. I haven't made snickerdoodles for such a long time. These look amazing though. I should make some for my kids.

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  8. Oooh snickerdoodles, they are legendary at my house, my husband will take them in any form. Glad you liked them.

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  9. Snickerdoodles are my husband's favorite! Yours look quite delicious.

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  10. I love snickerdoodles and your picture makes me want to take a big bite out of that cookie!

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  11. Great photo! I love snickerdoodles!

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  12. I was never a snickerdoodle fan, either. And then I tried Martha Stewarts recipe and I really enjoyed them! They look very good though, Steph.

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  13. I think I will try these. I love CI recipes (just tried the perfect choc. chip cookie one myself) and I like that it involves butter rather than shortening. Most recipes have shortening instead of butter and that is just yuck! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. I don't even need to eat one of these...I'm just going to dive right in to that photo! I've never made these, but since they're such a classic I should add them to my cookie collection.

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  15. I love snickerdoodles! Love that photo and how you can see the specks of cinnamon :)

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  16. some people are definitely obsessed with these. when you get a really good one, it's a great experience... the simplicity of it.

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  17. Never made Snickerdoodles but you conviced me to try them. Thanks.

    I like Ina's brownies but they are so rich and expensive to make. They will be a special treat. The C.I. are really close.

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  18. Amazing picture of your snickerdoodle - they look so good!

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  19. This is the only cookie my seven year old will eat. We make them all the time.

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  20. Hello, I'm new, I just found your blog through TWD, and boy am I glad I did - that snickerdoodle picture made me hungry! I've never been a huge fan, but CI rarely leads me astray, so I'm going to have to make these this weekend. Thank you for sharing :)

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  21. oh I love cinnamon and snickerdoodles are my favourites. Your cookies look delicious. :)

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  22. I love snickerdoodles.. thank you for sharing!

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  23. I've seen snickerdoodles around and never thought they were something i would like - your description gives them a whole new personality.

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  24. These are my hubs' favorite cookie, but sometimes they can be too crispy for me. A chewy snickerdoodle will make everyone around here happy - thanks Steph!

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  25. Hi Steph! Thanx for stopping by @ my blog :) The snicker doodle looks so yummy!!!!

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  26. Ahhh! I love snicker-doodles... well, I love any cookie for that matter... I was just reading your post for those chewy choco-chip cranberry oatmeal cookies and they look amazing! YUM!

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  27. Man I always get so hungry doing the comments. It is dangerous to the figure to read these posts! he he
    These cookies look amazing! Have any left? I have a sugar cookie recipe with cream of tarter. Its a fat chewy cookie rolled in sugar. Friends love them. Me, I'm a chocolate girl. You are right it does make a difference. Great job!
    AmyRuth

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  28. Your snickerdoodle looks perfect and delicious. YUM!

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  29. I love snickerdoodles, I made some a while ago with a recipe that didn't need cream of tartar. Now I have finally gotten my hands on some cream of tartar so I'll be trying this recipe soon!

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  30. I'm glad to read about these cookies. This recipe is made with all butter, while many Snickerdoodle recipes have shortening. I'd like to try these!

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  31. I've never tried snickerdoodles...but I love a cookie with a nice chew! Looks delish!

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  32. I'm so glad you like snickerdoodles. They're one of my favs, too! I'm always wondering how the cream of tartar makes a differences since baking soda plus cream of tartar equals baking powder. Why doesn't using baking powder do the same thing?? Call in the science experts!! Anyway, these cookies look great! I have a hankering for some snickerdoodles now :)

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  33. Mmmmm, I LOVE snickerdoodles! I can't wait to test out this recipe. thanks for posting it.. I'm always up for a new one! -e

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  34. Love Snickerdoodles! They are my husbands most favorite cookie, unfortunately for whatever reason I usually only make them at Christmas...you've inspired me to make them in this non-December month! Thanks!

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