It is officially Christmas season. Bring on the Christmas music. String the lights. Decorate that tree. Hang the mistletoe…
The time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas is magical. Don’t you think? I am not a fan of the whole shopping scene. I am one of those shoppers grateful for the Internet and the Fedex man. I am, however, a fan of twinkle lights downtown, Christmas trees glowing in windows, cinnamon pine cones, nights of hot chocolate and gift wrapping, and of course the kitchen being in full swing, pumping out cookies.
Cookies. ‘Tis the season, right? I mean, yeah, there is fudge and caramels and candy, but cookies are really the dessert centerpiece of the Christmas season. They are the pumpkin pies of Christmas. In honor/gratitude/love for Cookies…I will be, for the next month…until Christmas, blogging about COOKIES!
No chicken pot pie, no pot roast, no pie, no cakes, no muffins…just cookies. So if you are looking for cookies to bake for your cookie exchange at work or for cookies to bake with your little ones to leave for SANTA ( total Will Ferrell Elf’s voice)…Hopefully, you can find inspiration here.
Let the crazy cookieness begin!
First on the list…Snickerdoodles.
I can remember my first snickerdoodle. It was at the mall and from Mrs. Fields. It was good. Like really really good. Crunchy edges and chewy center. Sweet cinnamon. So good, that I ran home ( OK, mom probably drove me since I was like 12) and made my very first batch. I then ate them, probably wrestling away what I could from my brothers – life as the only girl. They remain to this day a top 3 cookie. You wanna know what I never make? Snickerdoodles.
That ends today. These are reminiscent of those I first tasted 15 years ago. Crunchy, chewy, sweet, cinnamony – its a word in my kitchen! I am now wishing I still lived with my brothers, because I desperately need someone to wrestle these cookies from my clenched fists.
I kinda forgot how much I loved these cookies…
Snickerdoodles
Makes about 2 dozen
Ingredients
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2 + 3/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
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1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
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2 Teaspoons Cream Tartar
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1/4 Teaspoon Salt
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1 Cup Butter, softened (room temperature)
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1 + 1/2 Cup Sugar, plus 1/4 Cup extra for rolling
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2 Eggs
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1 Teaspoon Vanilla
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2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
In a medium sized bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
In another mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and 1 + 1/2 Cups of sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 to 3 minutes). Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until well mixed. With mixer on low, slowly add dry ingredients. Beat until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated. Remember to scrape the sides and bottom of bowl to ensure uniform dough.
In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and 1/4 Cup sugar – stir to combine.
With a cookie scoop or teaspoon, scoop out cookie dough and roll into balls – about the size of a golf ball (about 1 inch in diameter). Roll cookie dough in cinnamon and sugar mixture. Make sure the dough is completely covered. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (optional…it just makes cookie removal easy!)
Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing and transferring to cooling rack.
Best enjoyed with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate.
Fork Vs Spoon 