Sunday, October 3, 2010

Best Ever Snickerdoodles



As six 14 year-old boys swarmed into the house I heard a new voice say, "What's that smell?"  A smile spread across my face as Shane, a regular at our house, asked "Mrs. Kelly, are those your famous Snickerdoodles?"  A smile spread across his face when I answered, "Yep!". The boys had a good laugh looking at my cookbook and seeing their signatures and comments from June of 2005.  Comments ranging from "Awesome!"  to "These are the best!" all written around the edges of the recipe in childish handwriting from boys and girls through the years. 



Six years and goodness knows how many batches of these cookies these boys have eaten.  Today was especially fun as we had a second generation sibling.  Sam, One of my daughter's friends was here enjoying the cookies for the first time, and he was happy to finally partake in what his brother has been talking about all these years!

Nancy Baggett's award winning book, The All-American Cookie Book, provided this all-time favorite recipe.  Rich with butter, sugar and eggs, the addition of fragrant vanilla shines through.  A few strikes of fresh nutmeg on the microplane grater is our secret ingredient, adding "something" that people just can't place, but that is lacking if overlooked.  A roll in extra sugar and spicy cinnamon have these beloved cookies disappearing withing minutes of coming out of the oven.  



Best Ever Snickerdoodles
Nancy Baggett, The All-American Cookie Book p. 14

Flavorful cookies with a texture that ranges from slightly crispy around the edges to slightly chewy as you reach the center.  Sure to be a hit anywhere you take them!

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 Tbs light corn syrup
2 large eggs
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar combined with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon for topping

Preheat oven to 375º and prepare baking sheets with a silicone mat or cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tarter, baking soda, salt and nutmeg, set aside.  In another large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and corn syrup together until well blended and fluffy.  Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until well blended and smooth.  Beat in half of the flour mixture until evenly incorporated.  Stir in the remaining flour mixture just until combined.  Let the dough stand for 5-10 minutes.  Mix together the additional sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

Roll portions of the dough into generous 1 1/2 inch balls with lightly greased hands (dough will be soft).  Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar.  Place on the baking sheets, spacing about 2 3/4 inches apart. 

Bake the cookies 8-11 minutes, or just until light golden brown at the edges.  Reverse the sheet from front to back half way through the cooking time to ensure even browning.  Transfer the baking sheets to a wire rack and let stand until the cookies firm up slightly, about 2 minutes.  Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.  Enjoy!

28 comments:

  1. Isn't it the greatest feeling when other enjoy your food? Those snickerdoodles look so lovely. I have to be honest, I've never had them before until a friend baked a batch recently. I must try these here on my own. Another great recipe- thanks for sharing!

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  2. I love snickerdoodles...anything with cinnamon is aces in my book! I need to get a good non-stick baking sheet for baking cookies. Mine cooks the bottoms faster than the tops...any suggestions for a brand?

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  3. I love snickerdoodles, my mom made them for us all the time when we were little! I think the little bit of fresh nutmeg would totally make a difference. I'd hang out at your house waiting for some.
    -Gina-

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  4. Ohh, snickerdoodles are my must favorite cookie! I will have to try your recipe.

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  5. Oh man, snickerdoodles are one of my FAVORITE cookies! I can't believe I've never made them myself! That will definitely have to change very soon!

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  6. I love it when children like what I make. They make my heart bit a little bit faster. Even though I am not a child anymore (although I wish I'd be one) I love your cookies.

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  7. Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies. How many cookies does your recipe make? I have a pretty good recipe but it doesn't make enough cookies.

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  8. Your cookies look perfect! Yum!

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  9. I always have a sweet spot for snickerdoodles, I just like em:) These look great and sound like the bring about wonderful memories for your fam!

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  10. Wow, I am so thrilled that you like my recipe. I really worked to get the cookies just the way I like them, and they seem to be a hit with other folks, too. Thanks for your enthusiasm and for giving me credit. If you would like other recipes, do check out my recipe archives at www.kitchenlane.com

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  11. Yeah, it's Snickerdoodle season....actually anytime is Snickerdoodle time, I just associate them with fall and christmas. They look wonderful.

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  12. These look soooo good! I never professed to being a baker but these I really would like to make. Simple and that's what I need.

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  13. mmmm snickerdoodles......you must be the coolest mom on the block! it feels so good to know your cookies have legendary status, they do look delicious!

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  14. What a great fulfillment that you bake these lovely and yummy snickerdoodles for your family, friends, neighbours. Happy for you!

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  15. This does look like a great snickerdoodle recipe! I love cookies that are crispy on the edges and chewy in the center, so this would be a defininte winner in my book:)

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  16. Snickerdoodles are one of my absolute favorie cookies! Your cookies look sooo delicious and if all of the kids love these cookies, I know they're great! I can't wait to make them, thanks so much for the recipe.

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  17. Thanks for your compliments on my 'Taste of Yellow' post. You have a charming site, I have never made these cookies but I don't ever leave Noodles & CO without them! Now I have the recipe!

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  18. Snickerdoodles can bring a smile to the grumpiest kid! Yours look delicious!!!

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  19. I LOVE snickerdoodles! And yours looks delicious. Thank you for your vote and support! My doggie squirty thanks you too (=

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  20. I make these often and love them~ yours look terrific! gotta make them now~

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  21. The best part of the cookie baking is the cookie sharing (and eating) and the cookie smiles (and eating) and cookie appreciation and eating).

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  22. I think there is magic in snickerdoodles! Something that brings out smiles, anyway! What a good idea to have little autographs in your cookbook, I love it.

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  23. I've made many, many types of cookies over the years, but never Snickerdoodles. I must try these.

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  24. Look at those beauties! Yum!

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  25. Oh my gosh... I just made these. They turned out super crispy on the outside, but still very chewy in the middle... they are divine! The texture is perfect and the taste is so sweet and a little salty, and so light. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe, it's definitely my new standby for snickerdoodles!! :)

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  26. I'm sooo excited to try these. The picture looks amazing and I've got some corn syrup I need to use! :D

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  27. Thank you for sharing this! I have been making these for the past 5 years as this is truly THE BEST Snickerdoodle recipe I've ever found. I lost my copy and needed to find it in a pinch today.

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