If you’re looking to sprinkle a little festive magic into your baking this season, this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe is exactly what you need. These soft, chewy cookies coated in a delightful cinnamon-sugar blend capture the very spirit of holiday warmth and joy. Each bite is a perfect harmony of buttery dough with a hint of nutmeg and that iconic crunchy cinnamon exterior that makes snickerdoodles so irresistible. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to treat for every cozy holiday gathering or a sweet moment to yourself by the fire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe requires a wonderfully simple set of ingredients that together create a cookie bursting with classic flavor and festive cheer. Each component plays a key role, from the creamy butter that gives richness, to the spices that add seasonal warmth.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The foundation of your dough, providing structure and that perfect soft crumb.
- Baking powder (2 tsp): Helps the cookies rise just right for a soft texture without being cakey.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and spices beautifully.
- Salted butter, softened (1 cup): Adds rich flavor and moisture to keep the cookies tender.
- White sugar, divided (2 cups): Sweetens the dough and creates that famous crispy cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together while adding a little lift.
- Cinnamon (2 tsp): The star spice that gives these snickerdoodles their iconic, warm aroma.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 tsp): A subtle and lovely touch that deepens the festive flavor profile.
How to Make Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s at the perfect temperature to give you crisp edges and soft centers for the perfect Christmas snickerdoodles.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. This not only blends the spices evenly but also makes sure your cookies bake with tender, airy texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with 1 1/2 cups of the white sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and incredibly smooth. This step is essential as it aerates the dough, resulting in cookies with a pleasingly soft bite.
Step 4: Add Eggs
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. This ensures a cohesive dough that bakes evenly and holds together beautifully.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into your butter and sugar mixture. Stir just until the dough forms—overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so keep it light and gentle!
Step 6: Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
In a small separate bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar with the 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. This coating is what will make your snickerdoodles glow with festive cheer and crunchy delight.
Step 7: Shape and Coat the Dough
Roll the dough into 1 3/4-inch balls, then generously coat each one in your cinnamon-sugar mixture. This step is so fun and instantly transforms simple dough into beautiful festive cookies ready for baking.
Step 8: Bake
Place your coated dough balls onto a baking sheet leaving about 3 inches between each to allow spreading. Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges while still soft in the center. The result? Perfect Christmas snickerdoodles with a subtle crackled top and heavenly aroma filling your entire kitchen.
How to Serve Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delightful all on their own, for a little extra holiday flair, sprinkle a pinch of powdered sugar or a touch of festive edible glitter over the top just before serving. Miniature red and green sugar pearls also make for a joyful crunchy garnish that kids and adults alike will love.
Side Dishes
These Christmas snickerdoodles pair perfectly with a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or a steamy mug of cinnamon-infused tea. To elevate the experience, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful contrast of warm and cold.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or holiday parties, stack your Christmas Snickerdoodles on a decorative festive plate or wrap them up in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon. You can also sandwich a bit of homemade eggnog-flavored frosting between two cookies for an indulgent twist that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover snickerdoodles fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and flavorful for about 4-5 days—perfect for nibbling throughout the week or sharing with friends.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these cookies! Arrange the baked snickerdoodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep their magic for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want that freshly baked taste, pop a cookie or two into the microwave for 10-15 seconds or the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This will soften them up and bring back the delightful warmth of those Christmas flavors like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Absolutely! If you only have unsalted butter, simply add a pinch more salt to the dough to balance the flavors perfectly.
What makes snickerdoodles different from regular sugar cookies?
Snickerdoodles stand out because of their signature cinnamon-sugar coating and the use of cream of tartar or baking powder that gives them a slightly tangy flavor and chewy texture.
Can I make this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for the best texture.
How do I prevent my snickerdoodles from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough slightly before rolling it into balls. Also, give enough space between cookies on your baking sheet.
Can I add other spices to this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with a pinch of cloves, ginger, or cardamom to enhance that festive holiday flavor even more. Just be cautious not to overpower the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Final Thoughts
Making this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe is like wrapping your kitchen in a cozy holiday hug. The ease of preparation, combined with the classic flavors, makes these cookies an absolute must for your seasonal baking repertoire. So gather your ingredients, invite a friend or two to help, and enjoy the joyous process of creating something truly special this holiday season. Trust me, these snickerdoodles will brighten your celebrations and your taste buds!
Print
Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Snickerdoodles are soft, chewy cinnamon-sugar cookies perfect for holiday celebrations. With a delicate blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a light golden exterior, they bring a perfect balance of sweetness and spice to your cookie platter.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
Sugar & Spice
- 2 cups white sugar (divided)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal baking temperature as you prepare the dough.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter & sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened salted butter with 1 1/2 cups of white sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Combine: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the butter and egg mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Cinnamon-sugar coating: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of white sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, stirring to create the cookie coating.
- Shape: Roll the dough into balls approximately 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Then, roll each dough ball thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar coating to cover all sides.
- Bake: Arrange the coated dough balls on a baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake by reducing the baking time by 1 minute.
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the best texture in the cookies.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- You can add a pinch of cream of tartar for a more traditional snickerdoodle tang if desired.
