The Perfect Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe for Holiday Magic

Soft, pillowy Christmas snickerdoodles dance with festive magic in this delightful recipe that promises to charm every sweet tooth.

Warm cinnamon swirls through each tender cookie, creating a nostalgic aroma that whispers holiday memories.

These classic treats blend simple ingredients into something truly special.

Pulling warm, sugary cookies from the oven, their crackly tops glistening with sparkly cinnamon sugar.

Grandmothers and bakers everywhere cherish this timeless recipe that connects generations through sweet tradition.

Home kitchens will come alive with joy as you mix, roll, and bake these delectable morsels.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of these irresistible cookies that capture the essence of holiday cheer.

Best Tips For Making Christmas Snickerdoodles

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal soft, spreadable texture without melting.
• Prevent Spreading Cookies: Chill the prepared dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure consistent cookie sizes, resulting in even baking and professional-looking treats.
• Customize Sugar Coating: Experiment with different colored sanding sugars or sprinkles to match holiday themes or personal preferences while maintaining the classic cinnamon-sugar flavor.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How To Keep Christmas Snickerdoodles Fresh

• Refrigerate: Seal cooled snickerdoodles in an airtight container with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Snickerdoodles can be frozen for 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain crisp edges.
• Refresh: Warm cookies briefly in preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore original softness and revive cinnamon aroma.

Perfect Pairings With Christmas Snickerdoodles

• Pair with Festive Hot Cocoa: Warm, rich hot chocolate complements the cinnamon spice of the snickerdoodles perfectly. The creamy chocolate highlights the cookie's sweet and tangy notes, creating a cozy Christmas treat that warms you from the inside out.
• Combine with Vanilla Bean Eggnog: Smooth, creamy eggnog brings out the buttery richness of the cookies. The vanilla and nutmeg in the eggnog dance beautifully with the cinnamon-sugar coating, making each bite a holiday celebration.
• Match with Spiced Chai Latte: The warm, aromatic spices in chai tea echo the cinnamon in the snickerdoodles. Its creamy, slightly peppery profile creates a delightful contrast that elevates the cookie's festive flavor profile.
• Serve with Peppermint Mocha: The cool mint and rich chocolate of a peppermint mocha provide a delicious counterpoint to the warm, sugary snickerdoodles. This combination brings a burst of holiday cheer to your dessert experience.

Tasty Twists On Christmas Snickerdoodles

• Chocolate Chip Holiday: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for extra sweetness, creating a rich chocolate version with red and green sanding sugar.
• Nutty Christmas Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough, giving the snickerdoodles a delightful crunch and festive nutty flavor.
• Peppermint Crackle: Crush candy canes and sprinkle them on top of the cookies before baking, adding a cool minty taste and festive appearance.
• Ginger Spice Celebration: Incorporate ground ginger and a touch of nutmeg into the dry ingredients for a warm, spicy holiday cookie variation.

Your Questions About Christmas Snickerdoodles

• What makes Snickerdoodles different from other cookies?

Snickerdoodles are unique because of their signature coating of cinnamon-sugar that gives them a tangy, sweet flavor and crackly exterior. Unlike regular sugar cookies, they use cream of tartar, which adds a distinctive slight tanginess.

• Are Snickerdoodles traditionally a Christmas cookie?

While Snickerdoodles aren’t exclusively a Christmas cookie, this recipe adds a festive twist by using red and green sanding sugars. This makes them perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.

• Why do Snickerdoodles have cream of tartar in the recipe?

Cream of tartar helps give Snickerdoodles their classic soft and chewy texture. It also provides a subtle tangy flavor and helps prevent sugar crystallization, resulting in a more tender cookie.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to a month, making them great for planning ahead during the busy holiday season.

Why People Love Christmas Snickerdoodles

• Festive Color Burst: Dive into these Christmas Snickerdoodles that transform classic cookies with vibrant red and green sanding sugars, creating a holiday-themed treat that instantly sparks joy and festive cheer.
• Effortless Holiday Baking: These cookies come together quickly with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making them perfect for busy home bakers who want to whip up delicious Christmas treats without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Cinnamon-Sugar Magic: Experience the irresistible combination of warm cinnamon and sweet sugar coating that gives these cookies their signature crackly exterior and soft, tender center, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth texture that everyone will love.
• Kid-Friendly Cookie Adventure: Engage children in the baking process by letting them roll dough balls and coat them in colorful sugars, turning cookie-making into a fun family activity that creates lasting holiday memories.

What You’ll Need For Christmas Snickerdoodles

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for the cookie's structure, providing texture and form.
• Cream of Tartar: Helps create the classic tangy snickerdoodle flavor and provides softness.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter, Granulated Sugar: Key ingredients for creating a rich, sweet base with creamy texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic cookie flavor and aroma.

• Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Classic snickerdoodle coating with warm, spicy flavor.
• Red Sanding Sugar, Green Sanding Sugar: Festive touch for Christmas theme, adds sparkle and color to cookies.

How To Bake Christmas Snickerdoodles

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a parchment paper and line your baking sheets. This prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cream of tartar
• Baking soda
• Salt

Set this magical mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Mix until the texture becomes light and fluffy like a winter cloud.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and blend until smooth.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined – don’t overmix!

Step 6: Create Festive Coating

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Red sanding sugar (in one bowl)
• Green sanding sugar (in another bowl)

Step 7: Shape Cookies

Scoop tablespoon-sized dough portions and roll into perfect little balls. This is where the fun begins!

Step 8: Decorate Cookies

Roll half the dough balls in red cinnamon-sugar mixture and the other half in green. Make sure each cookie is completely coated for maximum holiday cheer.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide your baking sheets into a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. These festive treats are now ready to spread holiday joy!

Pro Tip: These colorful cookies make amazing gifts or party treats. Watch them disappear faster than Santa down a chimney!

Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Snickerdoodles dance with warm cinnamon and sugary cheer, bringing holiday magic to cookie lovers. Sprinkled with seasonal joy, these delightful treats will melt your heart and delight your taste buds.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups (344 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating and Decorative Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons red sanding sugar
• 2 tablespoons green sanding sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare your kitchen workspace and gather all necessary tools for crafting festive snickerdoodles.
2. Calibrate the oven temperature to 400F (200C) for optimal baking conditions.
3. Protect baking surfaces by lining sheets with parchment paper.
4. Blend flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing vessel, ensuring uniform distribution of dry components.
5. Utilize an electric mixer to transform softened butter and granulated sugar into a light, airy mixture.
6. Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly integrating each before adding the next.
7. Infuse the mixture with vanilla extract for enhanced aromatic depth.
8. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, avoiding overmixing to maintain cookie tenderness.
9. Create a festive coating by combining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a separate container.
10. Divide the cinnamon-sugar mixture into two distinct bowls.
11. Enhance holiday spirit by introducing red and green sanding sugars to each respective bowl.
12. Carefully form dough into uniform tablespoon-sized spheres.
13. Artfully coat half the dough balls in red-tinted cinnamon sugar and the remaining half in green-tinted cinnamon sugar.
14. Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining strategic spacing.
15. Position trays in preheated oven, allowing cookies to transform for 8-10 minutes.
16. Monitor cookies until edges become firm while centers retain a delicate softness.
17. Extract cookies from oven and allow brief resting on baking sheets.
18. Transfer delicate snickerdoodles to wire cooling racks, completing the festive baking journey.

Notes

• Softening butter is crucial; let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy texture without melting.
• Use fresh, high-quality ground cinnamon for the most vibrant flavor in your holiday cookies.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies – mix just until ingredients are combined.
• For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg