Christmas Snickerdoodles are a festive twist on the classic cinnamon-sugar cookie, often made even more special by adding seasonal touches. Here’s a simple recipe to create these delicious, soft, and slightly chewy cookies perfect for holiday baking!
Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Ingredients:
- For the dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional for added flavor)
- For the cinnamon-sugar coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (for a festive touch)
- 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles (optional, for the holiday spirit!)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Make the dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat in the vanilla and almond extracts (if using).
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
- Prepare the coating:
- In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- If using, stir in the red and green sprinkles to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a festive touch.
- Form the cookies:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set and slightly golden, but the centers are still soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- If you prefer a thicker cookie, you can bake them a little longer. If you like them thinner and crisper, bake them slightly less.
- Cool and serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
These cookies will have a delightful balance of sweetness with a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, and the festive sprinkles add a pop of holiday color! Perfect for a Christmas cookie exchange or just to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa.