Photo of red and green snickerdoodles on a white plate on a wood grain background with a white blanket with Merry Christmas written on it with plants and animals on the blanket.
Recipes

Easy Festive Christmas Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles, often overlooked in the vast array of cookie options, have secured a special place among my favorite recipes—a testament to their delightful cinnamon-infused charm. These cookies are more than a treat; they’re a nostalgic journey back to the cherished moments of my childhood. The kitchen, a space filled with warmth and the aroma of cinnamon, was where I formed enduring connections with my beloved Nana, the matriarch of my enduring love for baking.

Our baking sessions were about more than just creating delicious treats; they were about building connections and forming bonds. The laughter that echoed in the kitchen during these moments has etched lasting memories, becoming the cornerstone of my passion for baking. In a bustling household filled with the laughter of eight kids, seventeen grandkids, and numerous great-grandkids, Nana valued simplicity in her recipes. Among her culinary treasures, the Snickerdoodle recipe stood out as a unique gem—it bypassed the conventional use of cream of tartar, a hallmark of classic Snickerdoodle recipes, and embraced the efficiency of self-rising flour without compromising flavor. Nana’s Snickerdoodle recipe garnered rave reviews from anyone fortunate enough to taste its delectable perfection.

Motivated by the enduring legacy of my Nana, I decided to infuse a festive twist into her timeless Snickerdoodle recipe. With guidance from my Aunt Anne, we elevated the aromatic profile by incorporating cinnamon directly into the dough. The final flourish involved rolling the dough in colored sugar, transforming the cookies into visually stunning delights—perfect for the festive season. Creating the Festive Christmas Snickerdoodles.  

I love making these Christmas snickerdoodles, in the flash of a moment, I am transported back to when I was a little girl every time, I make them. My mom makes my Nana’s snickerdoodles regularly as she remembers having them as a child and she still loves them today. 

These festive Snickerdoodles stand as a testament to the power of family traditions and the joy derived from creating uncomplicated yet delectable treats. The absence of cream of tartar doesn’t compromise their softness, and the addition of colored sugar provides an extra layer of festive decoration. As I share this recipe with you, I hope that it brings the same warmth, joy, and connection to your kitchen as it did to mine. The perfect addition to your holiday season and a great cookie for the Christmas cookie exchanges. These are the perfect cookie to gift as they hold up really well in transport and stay good for days. Happy baking and your family and friends love these as much as I do!

Photo of red and green christmas snickerdoodles on a white plate

Christmas Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles dipped in colored sugar that are a huge hit at the holidays.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Baking
Cuisine American
Servings 36 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2.5 cups self-rising flour (if the dough is too wet add 4 tbsp)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp colored sugar (to roll the dough in)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 °F degrees.
  • Measure out all of the ingredients into bowls so everything is ready when you need it. For best results don't crack the eggs directly into the dough as you don't want to ruin your cookie dough if you get a bad egg. An advantage is this recipe doesn't require room temperature ingredients so you can make them anytime you have a craving for this yummy recipe. 
  • In a large bowl beat the shortening and sugar thoroughly, then add the eggs, and beat until fully mixed. You can use a stand mixer or a handheld mixer - both will work fine. 
  • Stir in vanilla and then add the flour a little at a time until well blended. (If the dough is too runny add the additional 4 tbsp flour.) 
  • Stir in the cinnamon.
  • Pour the colored sugars into separate bowls. 
  • Shape the dough into teaspoon-sized balls and roll in the colored sugar. I like to have a plate next to the bowl with the sugar in it to set the rolled dough on. FYI: when you roll the dough in the sugar it tends to lose its ball shape but that is nothing to worry about. 
  • Put the dough onto the ungreased cookie sheet about 1.5" apart. Normally I can get 8 on a cookie sheet. They will spread as they are cooking so don't place them too close to each other. 
  • Bake at 375 °F degrees for 8-10 minutes.
  • Let the snickerdoodles cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet. Then move the snickerdoodles to a wire rack to cool completely. 
  • Enjoy the delicious Christmas Snickerdoodle cookies. They will keep for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container on the counter - no need to use parchment paper to separate the cookies.  

Notes

If you don't want to roll them in colored sugar you can just roll them in regular sugar to have the sugar coating. See the directions below. 
Alternate directions: After you have blended the flour into the dough. Roll the dough into teaspoon-sized balls. Then make a cinnamon-sugar mixture in a small bowl and roll the dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Follow the baking directions above. It's a great way to make the perfect snickerdoodles throughout the year no matter what holiday season it is. 
Keyword cookies

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