Friday, May 9, 2014

Snickerdoodles, Adventure Walks and Mother's Day



Would you believe I had never made a Snickerdoodle cookie before this year? Generally, I gravitate toward cookies loaded with chocolate, lemon, nuts or peanut butter.  A cookie whose main attraction is mostly cinnamon?  Not so much. Sometimes you have to listen to someone who is 4 years old. Someone who loves cinnamon and the word 'Snickerdoodle' - which, after spoken, giggles ensue.

My first attempt at making them a month or so ago, although tasty, came out flat and not soft like the recipe promised.

I wanted to give them another chance, for one particular cinnamon-loving grandson when he and his little brother were here on Monday.  So I looked at the recipe again and read over the many reviews online.  There were other bakers whose cookies had turned out flat like mine.  The suggestions were to use very fresh baking soda and not use an electric mixer.  New baking soda? There was still almost a whole box left!  Oh, they really do mean replace every 30 days?

So, newly purchased baking soda and my wooden spoon in hand, I hoped for the best and - Wow! they turned out great. Slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Not flat at all. My boys loved them! By the way, we clean up a lot of crumbs here on Mondays :)



Did you know that cinnamon may have health benefits?  Although not proven without a doubt, preliminary studies have shown that cinnamon may reduce inflammation, have antioxidant qualities and fight bacteria.  Cassia cinnamon may also help reduce blood sugar in people with diabetes. Way to go cinnamon!


They were the perfect treat for refueling after our outdoor adventures around the yard. We found wonderful new things growing in the woods, sticks that looked like moose antlers and even picked a few daffodils that they helped arrange for me :) We are making wonderful memories together ♥

Speaking of memories, this cinnamon post reminded me that years ago, when I was a little girl,  my mother occasionally used to sprinkle cinnamon sugar over buttered toast for me in the morning.  A great memory. She passed away in April, 9 years ago.

I know Mother's Day is not celebrated this Sunday all over the world, but I'd like to wish each and every mother and grandmother a happy weekend with wonderful memories.

Perhaps your mother or grandmother would like some of these :)
  

Perfect Snickerdoodle Cookies

Adapted from Allrecipes
Printable Recipe

Makes about 48 cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups white sugar (I only used 1 cup)
2 eggs - room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda (baking soda should be less than 30 days old)
1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Measure the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and mix gently whisk with a fork.  Set aside. 
Mix the 2 T sugar and cinnamon together and place in a shallow bowl or into a plastic zip bag.

In a large bowl, mix together the softened butter, shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar and mix with a wooden spoon until well combined but don't overwork.  Mix in the room-temperature eggs one-at-a-time until well combined. Stir in the vanilla if using. Add the flour mixture a little at a time until completed incorporated. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls about 1 inch or so in diameter.  Roll the balls of dough in the cinnamon sugar or place them in the zipper bag and shake gently until thoroughly coated with the cinnamon mixture.  Place 2 inches apart on a silicone mat/parchment paper-lined baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes. 

While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 400 degrees (200 celcius). 

Bake 8-10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets. 

73 comments:

  1. I love this post ! I don't usually make plain cookies like this either, I am of the 'load it up with chips and nuts' kind of girl, but my youngest daughter adores snickerdoodles, so this is a good inspiration to make some for her. My mom used to make cinnamon toast, too. What a great memory!

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I couldn't stop eating them myself :) Sneaky good!

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  2. These cookies look georgeous Susan and what lovely pictures of the kids!
    Have a wpnderful Mom's day Susan!
    xo

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  3. Looks like I'm not self-disciplined enough to be around you.


    I just baked CCCs, and now I'm considering baking Snicker :) doodles (You're a bad influence...in a good way, of course).


    Happy Mother's Day, Susan!

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    1. Thank you, Sol! The same to you. Enjoy your Mr. Big Pants ;)

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  4. Haven't had one for years. They look scrumptious!

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  5. Delicious cookies and a beautiful day spent having an adventure in the garden and woods.
    It is nice to know something that adds so much taste to food is good for you too!
    Blessings for a beautiful weekend. Catherine

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    1. Thank you, Catherine. It was a fun day :) I hope you have a wonderful weekend also!

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  6. Your children are adorable and I bet they love the cookies. I've never tasted a Snickerdoodle, but they sound fantastic. Happy Mother's Day Susan.
    Sam

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I had never tasted one before this year either. Have a great weekend!

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  7. Happy Mother's Day, Susan ! Perfect cookies for precious grandsons! Fun and giggles are the best with little ones so full of energy!

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  8. Thank you, Lorraine, and the very same to you!! They are so much fun :)

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  9. They look delicious!!!!

    Oh and so do the cookies..
    I JUST 2 hrs ago bought new baking soda..it's the one ing.I do no replenish soon enough and so cheap so no more!
    I love those secret garden wood adventures.. wait..the next step is finding worms and bugs..
    Can't believe your Trilliums are out..! I cannot wait..
    And I loved when my mom made me cinnamon toast:)♥
    Happy Mother's Day/Nana's Day To You.x

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  10. And sweet too :)

    I am so happy we can take them outside again. It's been such a loooong winter. Although, I'm not looking forward to the worms and bugs :) Happy Mother's Day to you too, Monique!

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  11. Yum! Those do sound and look so good. Yes - You and your Grands are making wonderful memories. When mine come to visit, it is amazing the "little things" they remember from their last visit and look forward to again.
    Have a Very Happy Mother's Day !!

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    1. Thank you, Glenda. Yes, sweet memories. Happy Mothers Day to you too!

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  12. I don't think I have heard to use a new box of baking soda if the snickerdoodles come out flat...it is the one thing that supposed to be good forever, like honey! Howard loves snickerdoodles, I think because of the cinnamon...
    Your cute grandboys are growing up too fast!
    Have a wonderful Mothers Day, Susan.

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    1. Even on the box it says to replace every 30 days. Now I'll pay attention to that :) Happy Mother's Day, Marigene!

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  13. I love snickerdoodles, they're probably my favorite cookie!! I always thought it was the cream of tartar that made them puff up? My baking soda goes pretty fast. I use it for so many things, including a substitute for dishwashing powder when I am out!!!

    My mom, used to do that cinnamon toast as well. She passed away when I was 16. I cherish those memories!

    Susan - Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!

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    1. Thank you, Julie! I used cream of tartar the first time too and they were flat. Who knows! Oh, you were so young when your mom died, Julie! I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

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  14. I wish a had a couple of snickerdoodles for a dessert right now! They look so thick and delicious!

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  15. Well...I have never made them or heard of them! But they look so perfect and so delicate, I know I would just love them! Thanks for a beautiful introduction to Snickerdoodles!
    :) ela@GrayApron

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    1. You're welcome, Ela ) They were unknown to me until I started blogging and then I started learning about them. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  16. Like you, I love cookies with nuts and dried fruits, but cinnamon is an exception, cookies made with cinnamon taste fantastic too. These snickerdooles look fantastic, Susan.
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Angie

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    1. Thank you, Angie! Maybe I'll try ground nuts in place of some of the flour next time and see what happens :) Have a beautiful weekend!

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  17. A favorite cookie. Such fun to share with the grands. Making memories. I still have lots from my time with my Oma.

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    1. Thank you, Susan :) So true. Great times! Have a lovely weekend.

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  18. Snickerdoodles are nothing to snicker at.

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  19. Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies! I even make them for Christmas ;o) Happy Mother's Day Susan!

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    1. I must have been hiding under a rock to never have tasted or made them all these years :) Happy Mother's Day to you, Debbie!

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  20. Good Morning Susan! We never made snickerdoodles before and would love to make them some day. Cinnamon is our favorite; so your recipe is the one we'll definitely use! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful Mother's Day!!

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    1. Glad I wasn't the only one :) Thank you and Happy Mothers' Day!

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  21. It's a cookie kind of day in my book. I've never made a chocolate cookie and they're in the plans for today. I happen to love snickerdoodle cookies and snickerdoodle ice cream. Happy Mother's Day Susan.

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    1. You can send some chocolate cookies to me, Lea Ann :) Thanks and Happy Mothers' Day to you!

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  22. Happy Mother's Day, Susan ! These are perfect cookies for lovely grandsons!Have a great day my dear, a warm hug....

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    1. Thank you, Chiara! I love baking for them :) A good week, Dear!

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  23. Susan, your cookies look delicious! Years ago, a neighbor baked Snickerdoodles ofter and I never got it. I made them once a long time ago and felt the same as you--flat, etc. So I need to try your recipe. Cinnamon is great for a lot of reasons! Happy Mother's Day to you!

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    1. Thank you, Pam! I hope you have the same success I did. Happy Mother's Day to you also!

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  24. Happy Mother's Day to you! They look like perfect cookies. I never know when to replace baking soda or baking powder...until a baking disaster!

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  25. Lovely cookies! I have never tried a snickerdoodle before!
    And your grandsons are really adorable!
    Wish you Happy Mother's Day!

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  26. They aren't the fanciest cookies, but snickerdoodles are one of my family's favorite cookies. They are just a perfect blend of crispy edges and soft centers and that wonderful taste of cinnamon. I haven't had cinnamon toast in years and it brings back lots of cozy memories. Aren't you lucky to have such adorable little helpers!

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    1. Perfect for little boys or the kid in anyone :). Yes I am very lucky!

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  27. Happy Mother's Day Susan! :) Your grandchildren are growing up!

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  28. I can safely say that cinnamon is on top of my spices list. I use it not only in sweet dishes but also in savory ones and more particularly in red sauces. I love these cookies Susan!

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  29. great cookies and sweet pictures of the boys and cool moose antlers ha

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca :) I love the imagination they have!

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  30. I have never made them either! I will try them after I recover from making 360 cookies and 40 loaves of bread last week! Your gsons are so handsome, and I remember my mom treating us to cinnamon on buttered toast too!
    Hope you had a great Mother's Day!

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    1. Glad to hear I wasn't the only one :) Whoa, that's a lot of baking!

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  31. As near as I can remember, I don't think I've ever made a snickerdoodle either. Can't imagine why as my kids would have loved them. Yours look yummy, Susan. I've read about replacing both baking soda and baking powder frequently. I never feel wasteful about the soda as I stick it right in the fridge, but do try to buy small cans of baking powder. Isn't it amazing what a difference it makes? Wouldn't be the first time I had to remake something because of it.
    Your walk looks like such fun. Wish my grandkids lived closer!
    Hope you had a marvelous Mother's Day!

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    1. Thank you, Barbara! I shouldn't feel bad about wasting either since it is so inexpensive. Better to have things turn out the way they should :) We are lucky to have our grandsons so close.

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  32. These snickerdoodle cookies do look delicious. The photograph is making me very hungry!!

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  33. Snickerdoodles may be my favorite cookies and I just recently made a batch as well-had to try a new recipe ;)
    I love the way they puff up right out of the oven- I know I'm easy to please ;) Thanks for sharing your recipe!
    Glad you had a wonderful Mother's Day=the boys are delightful ;)

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  34. Cookie perfection. I have a weakness for snickerdoodles.

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  35. Hi Susan, what a beautiful post! Your grandbabies are adorable, I have 2 myself, 4 and 8 and when they come over I try and always have a little treat. They would love these!

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  36. I did try snickerdoodles back when I was the pastry chef @ a German restaurant, but they did not come out puffed up and pretty like yours! they look so pretty I want to make them even though cinnamon in sweets is not my thing! your post is lovely, what with the pictures of the boys frolicking, it looks so idyllic!

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    1. Thank you, Joumana :) I didn't know you were a pastry chef!!!

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  37. I've never made snicker doodles either so thanks for that baking soda tip. I haven't had one in years but always loved them. Yours are beautiful and so fluffy

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  38. Snickerdoodles always make me giggle...because they are my favorite cookie! These look great.

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    1. There's just something about that name :) Thanks, Joanne!

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  39. What a lovely post! you photos are darling! And your mention of buttered cinnamon toast brought a tear to my eye. It was a favorite childhood treat, and I sure remember my mom making it for me. I enjoy it to this day. Your cookies look wonderful. I love Snickerdoodles!

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I appreciate your comment!