Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe

If you’re searching for a festive, cozy, and irresistibly chewy treat to brighten your holiday season, look no further than this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe. These cookies capture the perfect balance of cinnamon spice and buttery sweetness, with a colorful holiday twist from sparkling red, green, and white sugars. Everyone will love how these classic snickerdoodles get a merry makeover that’s as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, gifting in tins, or simply craving a warm, spiced cookie, this recipe is your new holiday go-to.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The charm of this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe lies in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, each playing a key role in creating those tender, flavorful cookies. From the all-purpose flour that forms the soft base, to the warming spices and festive sanding sugar that bring holiday magic, every ingredient contributes to making these snickerdoodles truly special.

• 3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure while keeping the cookies soft and chewy.
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar: The secret ingredient that gives snickerdoodles their signature tang and texture.
• 1 tsp. baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for that pillowy bite.
• 1/2 tsp. fine salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon: Classic warmth that defines snickerdoodles.
• Pinch of ground cardamom: Adds an unexpected festive depth and fragrance.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, just barely softened: Creates a tender crumb and rich buttery flavor.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens and contributes to the delightful cookie texture.
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note.
• 2 large eggs, room temperature: Bind the ingredients and add richness.
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract): Infuses the dough with a luscious vanilla aroma.
• Christmas red, green, and white sanding sugar: For that merry, sparkling coating that makes these cookies holiday-ready.

How to Make Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. Proper prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, setting you up for snickerdoodle success.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. This step ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed, which means every bite will have that perfect flavor and texture.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This aeration step is crucial for the soft texture and slightly crisp edges snickerdoodles are known for.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed before adding the next. This helps create a smooth, homogenous dough and contributes to the cookie’s tender structure.

Step 5: Add Vanilla Bean Paste

Mix in the vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract if that’s what you have on hand. This layer of flavor elevates the entire cookie and adds a beautiful depth—vanilla bean paste even leaves those tiny vanilla specks that feel wonderfully festive.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Lower your mixer speed and gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies tender and prevent toughness.

Step 7: Scoop and Roll in Holiday Sugar

Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion dough balls, then roll each ball generously in the colored sanding sugars. Setting up a rolling station with bowls of red, green, and white sugars makes this step festive and fun. For an extra touch, add a pinch of cinnamon to the sanding sugars to enhance that snickerdoodle classic flavor.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 to 9 minutes. Watch closely—the edges should look set while the centers still appear soft and slightly underdone. Removing them closer to 7 minutes yields the fluffiest, chewiest snickerdoodles.

Step 9: Finish With a Sprinkle

Right after removing the cookies from the oven, gently nudge any irregular shapes into rounds with a cookie cutter if you like, then sprinkle a touch more of the Christmas sanding sugar on top for extra sparkle. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Now, sit back and enjoy these charming festive favorites!

How to Serve Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe

Garnishes

While the Christmas Snickerdoodles are gorgeous on their own, you can add a touch of powdered sugar dusted atop for an extra snowy effect, or even drizzle a bit of white chocolate for a decadent twist. Sprinkling crushed candy canes around the serving platter adds a bright, minty contrast that’s visually appealing and delicious.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cup of warm spiced cider, rich hot chocolate, or classic eggnog for a cozy holiday break. For a grown-up gathering, they also go wonderfully with creamy coffee drinks or even a glass of festive red wine, balancing sweetness with a hint of warmth.

Creative Ways to Present

These Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe cookies are practically made for gift-giving! Stack them in mason jars layered with colorful tissue paper, arrange them on a holiday-themed platter with evergreen sprigs, or tie a ribbon around a neat pile for a stunning edible present. You can even sandwich them with peppermint buttercream for a fun party treat that’s sure to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, store your Christmas Snickerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread inside the container helps keep them moist and soft by maintaining the right humidity.

Freezing

You can freeze baked snickerdoodles successfully by layering them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They keep well for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze the raw dough balls rolled in sanding sugar on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag—just bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

Warm your cookies briefly in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes to refresh their texture and release those comforting aromas. Avoid microwaving, which can make them tough or chewy rather than soft and tender.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?

Yes! Vanilla bean paste adds a bit more intense flavor and those tiny vanilla specks, but regular vanilla extract works beautifully and won’t change the texture of your Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe.

What is the role of cream of tartar in snickerdoodles?

Cream of tartar provides a subtle tanginess and reacts with baking soda to help the cookies rise properly, giving them that classic snickerdoodle chew and slight tang.

Can I substitute the butter for a non-dairy alternative?

Absolutely. Use a high-quality vegan butter substitute with a similar fat content to maintain the rich texture and flavor, perfect for dairy-free dietary needs.

Why do my snickerdoodles turn out hard?

Overbaking is the usual culprit. Pull them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone to keep them soft, as they firm up while cooling.

How do I make my snickerdoodles extra festive?

Rolling the dough in holiday-colored sanding sugar as described in this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe instantly adds sparkle. You can also sprinkle with edible glitter or drizzle with white chocolate for a dazzling touch.

Final Thoughts

Baking this Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe is more than just making cookies; it’s creating a little piece of holiday joy to share with loved ones. With its warm spices, buttery softness, and sparkling sugar coating, this recipe will soon become a beloved tradition in your kitchen. Go ahead, grab those ingredients, and experience the magic for yourself—you won’t regret it!

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