Christmas Snickerdoodles
The holiday season is incomplete without the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the air. Among the classic Christmas treats, Snickerdoodles stand out for their irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating and buttery, soft interior. This guide will walk you through crafting the perfect batch of Christmas Snickerdoodles, ensuring they are the star of your dessert table.
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Ingredients for Perfect Christmas Snickerdoodles
To bake the most delicious Christmas Snickerdoodles, you need the following ingredients, measured precisely to guarantee perfect results:
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Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
All-purpose flour | 2 ½ cups |
Baking powder | 2 tsp |
Salt | ½ tsp |
Butter (softened, salted) | 1 cup |
White sugar | 2 cups (divided) |
Large eggs | 2 |
Ground cinnamon | 2 tsp |
Ground nutmeg | ½ tsp |
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Christmas Snickerdoodles
Follow these detailed instructions for flawless results:
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1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Proper preheating ensures even baking and the perfect texture.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, sift together:
- 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp of baking powder
- ½ tsp of salt
- ½ tsp of ground nutmeg
Sifting not only combines the ingredients evenly but also introduces air, making the cookies light and soft.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl:
- Beat 1 cup of softened butter and 1 ½ cups of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process takes about 2–3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed.
Properly creamed butter ensures a tender cookie crumb.
4. Incorporate Eggs
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
This step ensures the mixture remains smooth and emulsified.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined—overmixing can make the cookies dense.
6. Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, mix:
- ½ cup of white sugar
- 2 tsp of ground cinnamon
This aromatic coating gives Snickerdoodles their signature flavor and texture.
7. Shape the Dough
Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the dough into 1 ¾-inch balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well-coated.
8. Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place the coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches of space between each cookie. This spacing prevents the cookies from merging during baking.
9. Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 9–10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Do not overbake; Snickerdoodles should remain soft in the center.
10. Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.