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Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe: A Festive Twist on a Classic
There’s something magical about holiday baking—especially when the kitchen fills with the cozy aroma of cinnamon and sugar. Christmas Snickerdoodles are the perfect blend of warm spices and soft, chewy goodness, making them a must-have for any cookie exchange, dessert table, or quiet evening with a cup of hot cocoa. This holiday twist on the classic Snickerdoodle adds a hint of seasonal spice and a splash of color, making these cookies as festive as they are delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, Christmas Snickerdoodles are easy to make and bring out the festive spirit with just a few special ingredients. The dough comes together quickly, and with a few seasonal upgrades, you’ll have a batch of cookies that look as good as they taste. They’re soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and dusted in a sparkly cinnamon-sugar mix with optional red and green sprinkles for an extra holiday touch.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Snickerdoodles
- Chill the Dough – Chilling your dough before baking keeps the cookies from spreading too much, helping them stay soft and chewy in the center.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar – Properly creaming the butter and sugar makes a big difference in texture, ensuring your cookies bake up fluffy and tender.
- Use Fresh Spices – Fresh cinnamon and nutmeg make a noticeable difference in flavor, so make sure yours are still fragrant!
- Add a Dash of Cream of Tartar – A traditional ingredient in Snickerdoodles, cream of tartar helps with the signature tang and chewiness that sets these cookies apart.
- Holiday Decorations – Roll the cookies in festive red and green sprinkles or edible glitter to bring out a holiday sparkle. You can also drizzle white chocolate on top for extra flair!
Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional, for extra holiday spice)
- For the Topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Red and green sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. - Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. - Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. If desired, add sprinkles or edible glitter to the mix for a holiday look. - Shape and Roll the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. - Bake
Place cookies on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Let them cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. - Decorate
If desired, drizzle white chocolate on top or add a few extra sprinkles. Enjoy!
Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg optional, for extra holiday spice
For the Topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Red and green sprinkles or edible glitter optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. If desired, add sprinkles or edible glitter to the mix for a holiday look.
- Shape and Roll the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Bake
- Place cookies on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Let them cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate
- If desired, drizzle white chocolate on top or add a few extra sprinkles. Enjoy!
Common Questions About Christmas Snickerdoodles
Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Yes! The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough balls (before rolling in cinnamon-sugar) for up to 2 months. Just thaw slightly before coating and baking.
Q: What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
A: Cream of tartar gives Snickerdoodles their unique tang, but if you don’t have any, you can substitute with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar.
Q: How do I store these cookies?
A: Keep your Christmas Snickerdoodles fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They’ll stay soft and chewy! For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then move to a freezer-safe bag.
Q: Can I make these cookies without the holiday sprinkles?
A: Absolutely! The sprinkles are optional, but they add a fun, festive touch for Christmas. If you prefer a classic look, just stick to the cinnamon-sugar coating.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Snickerdoodles are a holiday baking classic that combines the nostalgic flavors of cinnamon and sugar with a touch of festive fun. This recipe is perfect for bringing people together and filling your home with the sweet, spiced aroma that makes this season so special. Happy baking, and may your holidays be as sweet as these cookies!
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