I’m sharing with you today my very favorite cookie in the entire universe… the cookie I’ve loved the most since I was just a little girl: Snickerdoodles.
My mother made this recipe often when I was growing up, so I suppose I became enamored with them at a very early age. The draw most certainly must have been the sugar and cinnamon exterior, or the crunch of the cookie, or maybe it was the intrigue of the craggy cracks formed within the cookie…
…or maybe it was the tangy flavor of added Cream of Tartar. I’ve seen a few recipes for Snickerdoodles floating around that don’t have any Cream of Tartar in them. Just so you know… those aren’t snicker doodles! Traditional Snickerdoodle recipes knix baking powder and use a combination of baking soda and cream of tartar as a leavening agent instead. But Cream of Tartar does much more than that… it imparts a tangy flavor to the cookie, making it recognizable as “the Snickerdoodle.”
There’s are a couple more ingredients that make a Snickerdoodle a Snickerdoodle for me. The first is shortening. I’m not one to ever really use shortening in any recipes, let alone cookie recipes. But for these cookies, they are the key to making them crispy and wonderful.
And of course a good roll in sugar and cinnamon is the key to the crunchy, cinnamony sweet exterior.
When they’re baked, Snickerdoodles crackle apart. It’s their signature look.
You know how every fingerprint is unique? Every crackly Snickerdoodle is unique too. They just sort of crack every which way. Okay by me.
Gosh I love these guys. How about you… are you a Snickerdoodle fan or do you have another classic favorite?
Snickerdoodles
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening
- 1½ cups granulated white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2¾ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated white sugar, for rolling
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, for rolling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together shortening, sugar and eggs.
- In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together and stir into wet mixture. Chill dough in refrigerator until firm, at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to roll cookie dough into small balls (about 1½ tablespoons each). Roll balls in the sugar/cinnamon, and place on an ungreased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookies are flattened and look crinkly. Let cool on cookie sheets at least 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For the rolling sugar: You'll have leftover sugar to throw away after rolling. I call for more than needed because I like to have a good puddle to roll them around in. Use less sugar if you don't want the waste.
Nutrition
If you’re a fan of other Snickerdoodly things, here are some other recipes that might interest you:
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Toffee- Chip Snickerdoodles
Maple Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Superdoodles
Snickerdoodle Blondies
I haven’t had a snickerdoodle since I was little, but I do remember my mom putting cream of tartar in hers. I was looking at several recipes and some of them omitted it, I will try yours and see how they come out. I promised a batch for a friend. Thanks.
-Gina-
Snickerdoodles MUST have cream of tartar in them. That’s what gives it the unique snickerdoodle flavor!
I’ve made the snickerdoodles but I put a little chunk of a snickers bar inside before rolling…. delicious!
oh these are great snickerdoodles and soooo simple. Great recipe..thank YOU!
Oh Lori… I’ve NEVER had a snickerdoodle: i’m so ashamed!! Time to get baking a batch, eh?
Snickerdoodles are my most fave cookie too, but I hardly ever make them. Now I’m totally craving them!
It is so funny because I made these this week too!!! I got a recipe from an old Betty Crocker cookbook that was little different then yours above but still used cream of tartar which I had to go to the store to get 🙂 Mine was half shortening and half butter which I thought was interesting because I don’t remember that in other recipes. They are my husbands favorite ones so they were a special treat for him when he got home from work. I think that they are yummy too but I would always pick something with chocolate first 🙂
OK…..Thanks LORI…..:)
Hi Lori, can i substitute the shortening for butter? My son LOVES snicker-doodle cookies but I’m a little eerie @ shortening.
It will probably work out okay, but since I don’t use butter in the recipe, I can’t say for certain. You won’t get the same crispy texture that shortening gives it.
Snickerdoodles are my little guy’s favorite and I can’t resist them fresh out of the oven!
Can butter flavored shortening be used??
Sure- I’m pretty sure that’s what I used.
it should come as no surprise that these are my favorite cookies. 🙂
As I was reading your post, I learned something new! I did not know Cream of Tartar imparted a tangy taste! I’ve just googled it, and I had no idea of the different uses for this ingredient that I’ve NEVER used! It’s now at the top of my shopping list. Thank you 🙂
Snickerdoodles have always been a favorite of mine, as well. I think I’m way past due for making a batch. Thanks for the reminder…my tummy is growling!
I’ve never tasted snickerdoodles before but I want to, right now 😀 It’s a very cute name and looks so delish!!
Temptations, ha!
Oh my they look so good !
Snickerdoodles are just a classic! My son is obsessed with cinnamon, so these are hit in our house. I love them made into a sandwich cookie with Nutella in the middle!