What Is a Snickerdoodle, and What Makes This Classic American Cookie So Irresistible? (2024)

What Is a Snickerdoodle, and What Makes This Classic American Cookie So Irresistible? (2)

Snickerdoodles are an American classic. The crinkly-topped, chewy, old-fashioned favorites are not the most impressive looking cookies—post one on your social media feed and you're not likely to get hundreds of likes—but if you set aside an hour or so to bake a batch of snickerdoodles, you will get a taste of dessert history. As an added bonus, your kitchen will begin to smell heavenly along the way. And there's no need for fancy equipment or baking expertise required to bake a few dozen snickerdoodles, and you probably already have all of the ingredients you need in your pantry.

What Makes the Snickerdoodle Special?

Standard snickerdoodle recipes call for flour, sugar, salt, butter or vegetable shortening (or both), and eggs in the dough, as well as a mixture of ground cinnamon and sugar for rolling balls of dough before baking. Most—but not all—rely on a combination of baking soda and cream of tartar for leavening. Purists believe the cream of tartar is key to the snickerdoodle's chewy texture and its delightful, slightly tangy taste. Cream of tartar activates the baking soda and keeps sugar crystals from forming, so the cookies end up pillowy rather than crisp. Non-purists believe it's the cinnamon-sugar itself that accounts for the appeal of the cookie, and leave the cream of tartar out, replacing it with baking powder for leavening.

In recent years, as dessert mash-ups became wildly popular, the name snickerdoodle has been applied to cinnamon-flavored desserts of all kinds. You'll find recipes for snickerdoodle cupcakes, coffee cakes, pies, tarts, ice creams, puddings, lattes, and beyond. As for cookie recipes, some cooks take license with the name to create appealing variations that include ingredients like pumpkin. Others will stick to the classic formula and simply swap out a portion of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat. You can also use natural (raw) sugar in place of granulated for the topping, which makes for an extra crinkly-crackly texture and appearance.

The Sweet History of the Snickerdoodle

Though the appeal of snickerdoodles is universal, their history is not as definitive. The earliest recipes appeared in print towards the end of the 19th century, but handwritten recipes circulated for many years beforehand. Some say that snickerdoodles originated in New England, and that the name is simply a nonsensical word that results from a regional naming tradition. In The Book of New England Cookery, author Judith Jones offers such an explanation: "New England cooks had a penchant for giving odd names to their dishes—apparently for no other reason than the fun of saying them."

Others claim that the cookies were introduced in Pennsylvania, and derived from German and Dutch cookies of similar textures and flavor profiles. (You can still find snickerdoodles for sale in Amish markets throughout Pennsylvania Dutch country.) Those culinary historians believe that the name is a deviation a German word meaning "crinkly noodle" or "snail." Though no one can pinpoint for sure where the snickerdoodle came from, one thing is for sure: This beloved American cookie is here to stay.

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What Is a Snickerdoodle, and What Makes This Classic American Cookie So Irresistible? (2024)

FAQs

What is interesting about snickerdoodle cookies? ›

The Joy of Cooking claims that “snickerdoodle” comes from “Schneckennudel,” a German word that literally means “snail noodles.” Schneckennudels don't have anything to do with snails or noodles, though—they're actually delicious-looking German cinnamon rolls.

What is the explanation of a snickerdoodle? ›

A snickerdoodle is a type of cookie made with flour, fat, sugar, and salt, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Eggs may also sometimes be used as an ingredient, with cream of tartar and baking soda added to leaven the dough.

What is the historical story of a snickerdoodle cookie? ›

A few cookbooks explain that snickerdoodles are German in origin. They state that the cookie's name comes from the German word shneckennudel (which is a kind of cinnamon bun). Others trace its origin to New England's tradition of whimsical cookie names.

What does a snickerdoodle cookie taste like? ›

The snickerdoodle flavor is best described as a mix of vanilla and cinnamon with a singular tanginess thanks to the cream of tartar.

What is the world's Favourite cookie? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co. But did you know Oreos are a copycat product?

What makes cookies so special? ›

Cookies are like a sweet crunchy chewy canvas ready for just about anything you can imagine. Chocolate, nuts, fruits, and grains – just to name a few, create wonderfully contrasting flavors and textures that can satisfy even the most particular sweet tooth.

Why do snickerdoodles get hard? ›

Snickerdoodles might turn out hard if they are overbaked or if the dough is too dry. Be sure to keep an eye on them as they bake – when the edges are set but the centers are still soft and puffy, they are done. Also, make sure you're not adding too much flour.

What is the difference between a sugar cookie and a snickerdoodle? ›

The defining ingredient in a traditional snickerdoodle is cinnamon, which is where most of the cookie's characteristic flavor comes from. There are several other ingredients that can be added to snickerdoodles, such as cream of tartar, that further differentiate them from sugar cookies.

What is the nickname for snickerdoodles? ›

“Snickerdoodles, also called snipdoodles or cinnamon sugar cookies, have been around since the late 1800s. They probably originated in New England and are either of German or Dutch descent.

What are the oldest cookies in the world? ›

Pizzelles are the oldest known cookie and originated in the mid-section of Italy. They were made many years ago for the “Festival of the Snakes” also known as the “Feast Day of San Domenico” in the village of Colcullo in the Italian region of Abruzzo.

What is a substitute for cream of tartar in snickerdoodles? ›

You can either replace cream of tartar with baking powder at a 1:1.5 ratio (1 teaspoon cream of tartar : 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder), or you can replace cream of tartar with the combination of baking soda and either lemon juice or vinegar (as with this recipe).

What are some fun facts about snickerdoodles? ›

The snickerdoodle is a very common cookie in the United States, but is relatively unknown in other countries. The cookie is common to Mennonite and Amish communities and was a favorite treat of the Indiana poet, James Whitcomb Riley.

Why does snickerdoodle mean? ›

1931s Joy of Cooking claims the term snickerdoodle is based off the German word Schneckennudel—a German pastry whose name literally translates as 'snail noodle'. A Schneckennudel is a yeast dough roll that more closely resembles a cinnamon bun, not a snickerdoodle cookie.

Do snickerdoodle cookies go bad? ›

While cookies can last quite a while, it's essential to know the signs that indicate they may have gone bad. Here are some common indicators: Off Odor: If your cookies emit an unpleasant or rancid odor, it's a clear sign that they have spoiled.

Why are cookies unique? ›

User sessions: Cookies help associate website activity with a specific user. A session cookie contains a unique string (a combination of letters and numbers) that matches a user session with relevant data and content for that user.

Why do snickerdoodles call for cream of tartar? ›

Mom would tell you the cream of tartar stabilizes the snickerdoodles, providing the light, soft, pillowy texture. It also adds the tangy note associated with snickerdoodles.

Why is snickerdoodle dough so sticky? ›

Too Much Liquid

If there is too much liquid in the dough for the flour to absorb, the result will be a soft and sticky dough. Fluids refer to water or milk used in the recipe, as well as liquid sweeteners, flavorings and eggs or egg substitutes.

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