If you’re looking to bring a little extra sparkle to your holiday treat table, this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe is a total winner. Imagine those classic snickerdoodles you love, warmed by the cozy cinnamon sugar and kissed with festive red and green sanding sugar that adds just the right crunch and color. These cookies are soft in the center, slightly crisp around the edges, and so simple to whip up that you might find yourself baking them all season long. Whether you’re gifting neighbors or sneaking a batch before anyone notices, these Christmas Snickerdoodles are pure holiday magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each of the ingredients in this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe plays a crucial role, balancing flavor, texture, and that unmistakable holiday vibe. They’re all pantry staples, making this recipe perfect for a last-minute baking spree without any complicated runs to the store.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter adds richness and tenderness to every bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetness that helps give the cookies their classic chewy texture and helps them brown beautifully.
- Eggs: Bind the dough together while making it soft and fluffy.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of warmth and depth to enhance the overall flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure to our delightful dough.
- Cream of tartar: This little leavening agent is the secret behind the snickerdoodles’ signature tang and chewy texture.
- Baking soda: Works perfectly alongside cream of tartar to help the cookies rise just right.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness for a more complex flavor.
- Red and green sanding sugar (or sprinkles): Adds that festive sparkle and a subtle crunch that screams Christmas.
- Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon: Combined to roll the dough balls for that classic cinnamon-sugar coating.
How to Make Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Start by softening the butter to room temperature so it creams perfectly with the sugar. Beat these together until fluffy and pale, which creates the perfect base for soft, tender cookies with a light crumb.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. This step makes the dough smooth and helps incorporate air, giving your snickerdoodles a delicate texture that’s irresistible.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution and keeps the texture of the cookies consistent from batch to batch.
Step 4: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet, stirring until just combined into a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix; that’s how you end up with tender cookies that melt in your mouth.
Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. This classic combo is the heart of the snickerdoodle’s signature flavor and will coat each dough ball beautifully.
Step 6: Shape and Roll
Create 1-inch dough balls, then roll them first in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and immediately afterward in the red and green sanding sugar. This double coating not only tastes great, but visually pops with holiday cheer on the baking tray.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Place the coated dough balls spaced about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges set and the centers still look soft. Allow cookies to cool on the pan briefly before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling, locking in their perfect texture.
How to Serve Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra sparkle, press a few additional red and green sprinkles on top of each dough ball before baking. A sprinkle of powdered sugar dusted over cooled cookies adds a frosted, wintry effect that can make your presentation truly stand out.
Side Dishes
Pair these Christmas Snickerdoodles with a warm cup of spiced tea, hot cocoa, or even a glass of cold milk to balance their sweet cinnamon flavor. They also work wonderfully as part of a larger holiday dessert spread, alongside fudge, peppermint bark, and gingerbread men.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a festive platter layered with fresh pine sprigs or holly for a rustic touch. Wrapping a dozen in a clear cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon makes for a thoughtful homemade holiday gift or stocking stuffer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, keep your snickerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They stay soft and delicious, making it easy to enjoy a sweet treat whenever the mood strikes.
Freezing
You can freeze baked snickerdoodles in a well-sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving to savor that fresh-baked feel all over again.
Reheating
To enjoy snickerdoodles warm, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a low oven at 300°F. This reawakens their soft centers and revives the cinnamon aroma that makes them so cozy.
FAQs
Can I make this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Swap out the butter for a plant-based alternative and use flax eggs or another egg substitute. While the texture might differ slightly, you’ll still get festive, tasty cookies.
What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
You can substitute cream of tartar with an equal amount of baking powder, but reduce the baking soda to half a teaspoon to keep the symmetry in rising and taste.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, by replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum, you can enjoy gluten-free Christmas snickerdoodles without compromising flavor or texture.
Is it okay to chill the dough before baking?
Definitely. Chilling the dough for up to 24 hours helps the flavors deepen and gives you slightly thicker cookies with a chewier bite—perfect if you prefer snickerdoodles on the heartier side.
How do I keep the sanding sugar from melting in the oven?
Rolling the dough balls quickly in sanding sugar right before baking and placing the cookies on a cool baking sheet lets the sugar maintain its festive crunch rather than dissolving away in the heat.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe is truly a holiday favorite that brings together nostalgia, festive cheer, and simple ingredients in a way that feels special yet completely doable. I encourage you to give these a try during your next holiday baking session—you’ll find they bring smiles and create memories faster than you can say “cookie exchange.” Happy baking and happy holidays!
