Whether you’re 4 or 40, snickerdoodles are the best.

Okay, I know everyone already loves snickerdoodles. But I didn’t grow up with them, and to be honest, they’re kind of a revelation to me right now. I’m suddenly at that point in life where I’m not sure I can use “middle aged” ironically and expect to be understood. And somehow, this cookie, which is simple and frank and consistent and pleasing, is exactly the kind of cookie I need.

Snickerdoodles! They were right there all along.

This recipe comes from my friend Ellen, because one day our older daughter came home from her house and said, “Mrs. Phillips makes the BEST snickerdoodles, and we HAVE to make them.” So we did. She was right.

Ellen’s daughter sometimes jokes that our kid was deprived as a child because we were pretty terrible about having her watch all the childhood movies that EVERYONE ELSE was watching, so now she’s mildly pop-culture illiterate, just like I was as a kid. (We were out learning how to speak with native London accents and visiting Prague and stuff, but I can’t argue with the fact that she doesn’t know all the words to Hairspray.)

Reasonable people can disagree on which of those things is most important.

But every kid should have snickerdoodles. 

Since I wrote the rest of that earlier this week, my own mom has visited and tried these snickerdoodles and really liked them too. I think both of us were surprised how simple they are. As my mom said, the name tripped us up, and we expected them to have candy in them. (Oh hi, things everyone else knows but we have no idea. Yeah, that cultural literacy challenge runs deep.)

Anyway. We’re all on the same page now. Yes to snickerdoodles. Noted.

Happy baking. Happy holidays. Talk to you soon.

Carolyn xx

The Best Snickerdoodles Recipe, Courtesy of Mrs. Phillips

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Preparation 20 min Cook Time 8 min Total Time 0:28

Yields About 40 cookies     adjust servings

I know everyone already loves snickerdoodles, but these are my new favorite cookies. They're simple and perfect and equally great for kids and newly middle-aged women who just want a lightly sweet, totally frank cookie if you don't mind. Would make up to 48 cookies if you didn't eat any of the batter, but come on.

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F with a rack in the center.
• Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, mix the butter, sugar and eggs until light and fluffy, about three minutes. (Start on low speed and increase to medium.)
• On low speed, beat in flour mixture until just combined. Do not overmix. Chill dough for 10 minutes.
• For the coating, stir together sugar and cinnamon on a small plate. Using your hands, roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll each ball in coating to cover completely.
• Place cookies 2-3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets and bake for about 8 minutes, until set but still soft. Cool slightly on pan before removing to a cooling rack.

by Carolyn

5 2

2 reviews