If you’re searching for a truly festive treat that brings warmth and spice to your holiday table, this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe is the answer. These classic cookies get a merry makeover with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, baked to golden perfection with a soft, chewy center and just the right touch of sugary crisp on the outside. Each bite carries the cozy vibes of the season, making them a beloved favorite to share with family, friends, or even to sneak a few yourself while wrapping gifts or watching holiday movies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated by baking; the ingredients here are straightforward and super approachable. Each one plays a special role in creating the texture, flavor, and festive aroma that make these cookies irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure and tender crumb every cookie needs.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft, fluffy texture.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the spices beautifully.
- Salted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture while contributing to that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- White sugar (divided): Sweetens the dough and creates the signature cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the tender bite.
- Cinnamon: The star spice that delivers that unmistakable warm holiday flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds an extra hint of festive spice, rounding out the flavor perfection.
How to Make Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl – these dry ingredients set the base for your cookies’ wonderful structure.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a mixer or with a hand whisk, beat your softened butter together with 1 1/2 cups of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key because it introduces air into the dough, helping the cookies become tender and airy rather than dense.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Eggs help to bind your ingredients perfectly and give the dough that smooth texture, ensuring your snickerdoodles come out beautifully uniform.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually mix the dry flour mixture into your wet ingredients. Take your time here so the dough comes together softly without overmixing, which can toughen cookies.
Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar with cinnamon and nutmeg. This coating is essential because it adds that iconic sweet-spicy crust that makes snickerdoodles so special.
Step 6: Shape and Coat
Roll your dough into 1-inch balls, then generously coat each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place them spaced evenly on your baking sheets so they have room to spread and bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake your snickerdoodles for 8-10 minutes, watching closely for the edges to turn that perfect golden color. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling—this helps them firm up just right.
How to Serve Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle your cookies with colored sugar or edible glitter right after baking. You can also arrange them alongside fresh cranberries or a sprig of rosemary for that classic Christmas vibe on your plate.
Side Dishes
Pair these snickerdoodles with a cup of hot cocoa, mulled wine, or even a creamy eggnog. Their cinnamon-spiced sweetness complements these drinks so well, creating a cozy pairing perfect for holiday gatherings or quiet nights in.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking them in a festive tin layered with parchment paper or arrange them on a decorative platter with small bowls of dipping sauces like caramel or chocolate ganache for a fun interactive cookie bar. Gift-wrapping a batch tied with a red ribbon also makes for a heartfelt homemade present.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your snickerdoodles fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week—perfect for nibbling through the holiday season.
Freezing
Want to bake ahead? Freeze the unbaked dough balls coated in cinnamon-sugar on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready for them, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time for fresh-from-the-oven magic anytime.
Reheating
Warm your snickerdoodles for a few seconds in the microwave or in a low-heat oven to revive that soft, freshly baked texture. Just a little heat brings back their irresistible aroma and melty softness.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter if I only have unsalted?
Yes! If you use unsalted butter, consider adding a pinch more salt to the dough to maintain flavor balance in this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe.
What makes a snickerdoodle different from a sugar cookie?
Snickerdoodles are coated in cinnamon sugar and often have a signature tang from cream of tartar, giving them a distinctive chew and slight tanginess. This Christmas version adds nutmeg for extra festive flair.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for golden edges with a slightly soft center. They firm up as they cool, so pulling them out too late can make them too crisp.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a trusted gluten-free blend, but be mindful that texture might vary slightly.
Is there a way to make these vegan?
You can experiment with vegan butter and egg substitutes, though the texture and rise may differ. Using flax eggs or commercial egg replacers works well when combined with dairy-free margarine.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about the combination of cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg in a warm, soft cookie, especially during the holidays. This Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe is a wonderful way to bring those cozy flavors into your kitchen with ease and joy. Give it a try—you’ll quickly discover why these cookies have earned a special place in festive traditions and hearts alike.
Print
Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Snickerdoodles, soft and chewy cookies perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Coated in a classic cinnamon-sugar mixture, they bring a warm holiday spirit to your cookie platter and are ideal for sharing with family and friends during the festive season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon (divided)
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 1/2 cups white sugar (divided: 2 cups total, 1 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened salted butter with 1 1/2 cups of white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next to form a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup white sugar with the remaining cinnamon. This will be used to coat the cookie dough balls.
- Shape and Coat Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to evenly coat the surface, then place them spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For softer cookies, bake closer to 8 minutes; for crispier edges, bake up to 10 minutes.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming with sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness.
- You can add a pinch of cream of tartar for a more traditional snickerdoodle texture if desired.
- Rolling the dough balls generously in the cinnamon sugar gives a beautifully sweet and spicy crust characteristic of snickerdoodles.
