Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (2024)

abigailSweet Cravings

Buttery, pillowy-soft and so deliciously good with hints of cinnamon spice, these are the best snickerdoodles! Check out the tips and tricks to make these yummy cookies perfectly every time!

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Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (1)

These snickerdoodles are probably my favorite cookies of all time! Ask my family! Every time, I find these cookies – whether in cafes or coffee shops, bakeries or somewhere, I make sure to buy at least a piece or 2. My son shares my love for these cookies so I often buy one for him as well.

Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (2)

It must be all that buttery flavor enhanced with cinnamon spice that truly tickles my tastebuds that I could eat half a dozen of these yummy cookies if I am not careful! I love shortbread with all that yummy buttery taste so I guess that’s why I love snickerdoodles!

Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (3)

Besides, they always pair so well with either coffee or English breakfast tea so that is a huge bonus indeed!

Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (4)

When I found this recipe for Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe in a local cookbook (Hamden Chamber of Commerce Cookbook) which I bought from Goodwill, I was immediately inspired to make it. After all, it prominently titled the recipe – THE REAL GERMAN SNICKERDOODLES! I told myself, I better test it to see if it’s any good!

Besides, since it’s almost the holiday season, I thought I wanted to test a batch that, if successful, would be my Christmas giveaway. So I set off to make these snickerdoodles and give the recipe a try to make sure it works well. It looked very easy and totally doable on paper.

I’m happy to report that it worked perfectly!

Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (5)

I made some very minor adjustments which I would jot down below as part of the tips so when you bake these snickerdoodles they come out as lovely as the ones I made.

The taste is spot on! It’s so yummy and again full of buttery goodness perfectly complimented by the cinnamon spice.

Most of all they didn’t spread too much nor came out too flat. They were like cute little baby cookies – just about 2 inches in size so they’re the perfect nibbles!

Once you bite it, it’s pillowy soft with just a little crunch but not hard at all! For me they’re perfect!

Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (6)

Here are the tips and tricks you can use so you can make these Snickerdoodles perfectly each time!

  1. Use the right oven temperature. The original recipe called for 400 F but it made the cookies a little hard and dark in the bottom. They still tasted good but wasn’t my preference. So for the next batch I made, I lowered the temperature and the cookies came out perfectly baked. I tried baking at both 375F and 350F. I personally prefer baking the cookies at 350F because I like them softer and just slightly chewy.
  2. Make sure to chill the dough in the fridge for about an hour. This will prevent the cookies from spreading or flattening too much.
  3. Do not over cream the butter and sugar. Just mix until the mixture looks light and fluffy looking. About a couple of minutes or so in the electric mixer should do it.
  4. Make sure your baking soda and cream of tartar are not expired or your cookies may not rise properly.
  5. You can adjust the amount of cinnamon if you like the cookies with a more prominent cinnamon taste but I stay with this measurement 3 tbsp sugar to 2 tsp cinnamon.
  6. Do not overbake. Just bake the cookies until set but not hard. The bottom shouldn’t brown much with the tint mostly coming from the cinnamon spice. Trust me, even after a day your cookies would stay tender and delicious if not overbaked.
  7. Use only butter. This is my taste preference but you can also halve the butter with either margarine or shortening if you like. For me, all-butter makes it yummier but that’s my personal preference.
  8. To achieve a more crackly look for your snickerdoodles, do not make the dough balls perfectly round and smooth. Just quickly shape into a ball but don’t overwork it so it’s less than perfect looking. Once baked they would have that classic snickerdoodle look.
  9. For convenience, place the sugar and cinnamon mixture into a sandwich bag. Drop each cookie dough ball and shake to cover with the mixture. Easier than rolling the cookies into the mixture.
Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (7)

This recipe makes about 4 1/2 dozen 2-inch cookies! Perfect bites of deliciousness!

Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (8)

Manila Spoon

Buttery, pillowy-soft and so deliciously good with hints of cinnamon spice, these are the best snickerdoodles! Check out the tips and tricks to make these yummy cookies perfectly every time!

4.73 from 43 votes

Print Recipe Save

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Chill Time 1 hour hr

Course Appetizer, Dessert, Snacks

Cuisine American, Germany

Servings 4 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • cups sifted flour
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

  • Add in the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Mix until well combined. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about one hour.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls (a small cookie scooper is quite useful for this).

  • Mix the remaining sugar and ground cinnamon. Roll the balls into the sugar-cinnamon mixture.

  • Bake for about 10 minutes or just until set but not hard. 10 minutes is perfect for my oven but oven temperatures vary so adjust accordingly (between 9-11 minutes should do it). Remove from the cookie sheet while still hot then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

    If not eating right away, place the cookies in airtight containers to retain their soft and chewy goodness.

Notes

You may replace half of the butter with margarine or shortening though I personally prefer an all-butter component.

Check out the tips and tricks above to make perfect snickerdoodles every time!

Keyword authentic snickerdoodle recipe, easy snickerdoodle recipe, german snickerdoodles, how to make snickerdoodles, snickerdoodles tasty recipe, soft snickerdoodles, tips and tricks for snickerdoodles

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Last updated on December 5th, 2023 at 02:26 pm

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Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a snickerdoodle in German? ›

“A New England favorite, these large, crinkly-topped sugar cookies are probably German in origin. Their name may be a corruption of the German word 'Schneckennudeln,' which translates roughly as 'crinkly noodles.

What country did snickerdoodles come from? ›

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.

Why did my snickerdoodle cookies not flatten? ›

One of the most common reasons why cookies didn't spread out in the oven is because you added too much flour. Cookies rely on the perfect ratio of butter to flour in order to spread just the right amount when baked. It's very easy to over measure flour when using cup measurements.

What is the name of the German cookie? ›

Kekse and – as at this time of year they're more commonly referred to – Plätzchen are general German words for cookies.

Which word is a common German cookie? ›

Lebkuchen. This traditional German cookie is one of the most popular around Christmastime because it has those classic gingerbread flavors. The soft, chewy, and lightly glazed treats are a must-have for your cookie plate.

What does the nickname 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.

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

Snickerdoodles are often referred to as "sugar cookies". However, traditional sugar cookies are often rolled in white sugar whereas snickerdoodles are rolled in a mixture of white sugar and cinnamon. Cream of tartar is added for its signature texture as another main difference.

Why do snickerdoodles crack? ›

Almost all recipes call for a combination of cream of tartar and baking soda (an acid and a base); the idea is that when they bake the reaction of these two ingredients will cause the cookies to puff up and then collapse, creating those cinnamon-y cracks on top.

Why are my snickerdoodles raw? ›

Texture and colour: If the cookie crumb is still wet, doughy, or appears raw, the cookies need more time in the oven. Fully cooked cookies should have a slightly dry and crumbly texture.

Why are my snickerdoodles so soft? ›

How do you make snickerdoodles puffy and soft? The secret's in the ratio of butter to leavener to flour to egg. Don't use shortening here; you'll miss the flavor of butter. Slightly under-baking the snickerdoodles also guarantees a softer cookie.

Why are my snickerdoodles crunchy? ›

Granulated Sugar and Ground Cinnamon: These two are mixed together to create the classic cinnamon-sugar coating that snickerdoodles are known for. The sugar caramelizes slightly as the cookies bake, giving them a slightly crisp exterior.

How to tell if a snickerdoodle is done? ›

How do you know when the cookies are baked? The snickerdoodle cookies will only take about 10 to 12 minutes to bake, so be sure to keep your eye on them! It's best to rotate the cookies after about 6 minutes so that the cook evenly. The cookies are done when the edges are just set and the centres are soft and cracked.

Why is my snickerdoodle dough too dry? ›

Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

Why is my snickerdoodle dough sticky? ›

Cookie dough can be sticky for various reasons, such as using too much liquid, not adding enough flour, or not chilling the dough enough. It can also be affected by humidity and temperature.

What does snickerdoodle translate to? ›

The Oxford English Dictionary claims the word's origin is "uncertain", and possibly a portmanteau of the word snicker, an "imitative" English word with Scottish roots that indicates a "smothered laugh", and doodle, a German loanword into English meaning a "simple or foolish fellow", originally derived from the Low ...

What does Schnuckiputzi mean in German? ›

Definition. (mein) Schnuckiputzi / Schnucki. (my) sweetie pie, darling.

How do you say cookies in Germany? ›

cookie
  1. Kuchen, der ~ Noun.
  2. Biskuit, das ~ Noun.
  3. Keks, der ~ Noun.
  4. Gebäck, das ~ Noun.
  5. Zwieback, der ~ Noun.

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