United States | Desserts | Baking

Snickerdoodles

(American cinnamon-scented sugar cookies)

Yield: about 2 dozen cookies


INGREDIENTS PREP AMOUNT
Flour 2 cups
Cream of tartar 2 tsp
Baking soda 1 tsp
Salt 1/4 tsp
 
Butter, unsalted softened 1/2 lb, or 2 sticks
Sugar 1 1/2 cups
Eggs 2 each
 
Sugar 1/4 cup
Cinnamon 4 tsp

METHOD

Basic Steps:  Blend → Cream → Mix → Form balls → Roll → Bake → Cool
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix the dry ingredients together well in a large bowl.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixer until the butter is light and fluffy and the sugar well incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed, and add the egg. Mix in well.
  3. Remove the bowl from the mixer and mix in the dry ingredients by hand until will blended.
  4. Form walnut-sized balls and roll in cinnamon-sugar. Place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Bake 8-12 minutes, turning the pan once for even baking. Cool 5-10 minutes on the pan, then remove to a rack and cool completely.

VARIATIONS

  • Stir chopped walnuts, chopped pecans or raisins into the dough if you like.

NOTES

  • These easy-to-make cookies are a favorite in the United States. It is unclear where the name originated, but the Joy of Cooking suggests that it derives from German Schneckennudeln, cinnamon-scented sweet rolls.