Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Snickerdoodle German? ›

If you've ever wondered how snickerdoodles came to be, you've come to the right place. The cinnamon cookie that we know and love was likely brought to America by Dutch-German immigrants, cookbook author Ann Byrn says in American 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.

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.

Lebkuchen was invented by monks in Franconia, Germany, in the 13th century. Lebkuchen bakers were recorded as early as 1296 in Ulm, and 1395 in Nürnberg (Nuremberg). The latter is the most famous exporter today of the product known as Nürnberger Lebkuchen (Nuremberg Lebkuchen).

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.

Snickerdoodles are often referred to as "sugar cookies". The Joy of Cooking claims that snickerdoodles are probably German in origin, and that the name is a corruption of the German word Schneckennudeln ("snail noodles"), a kind of pastry.

If your oven runs too hot or cold, it can affect the baking time and result in undercooked cookies. Make necessary adjustments to ensure the temperature is accurate. Cookie size and placement: Consider adjusting the size and placement of your cookie dough on the baking sheet.

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.

Improper flour measurement is the #1 cause of your cookie dough being too dry or the cookies tasting like flour.

Slightly under-baking the snickerdoodles also guarantees a softer cookie. Take them out of the oven after about 10-11 minutes. This will keep the interior of the cookie soft and chewy.

Why are my snickerdoodles always flat? ›

Too little flour and too much sugar are often the source of flat cookies, so measure carefully and accurately by using dry measuring spoons and cups for dry ingredients (so that you can spoon the ingredients into them and sweep away the excess) and use cups with pouring spouts for liquids.

“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. Unfortunately there is no clue as to how they got such a peculiar name.”

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.

Are snickerdoodles supposed to be undercooked? I always recommend slightly underbaking your cookies and then letting them finish baking through cooling on the pan. This will ensure you don't overbake your cookies and end up with a dry, hard cookie!

According to Byrn, a New York City cooking teacher and newspaper columnist shared her recipe for the cookies in a local newspaper. Cornelia “Nellie” Campbell Bedford's recipe—sugar cookie dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar—quickly went viral, so to speak.

Germans are remarkably restrained when it comes to biscuits (that's cookies to any readers from over the pond).

Speculaas is primarily made and consumed in Belgium, France and the Netherlands, as well as in Luxembourg and the German regions of Westphalia and Rhineland. It is also highly popular in the former Yugoslav countries, where it is manufactured by the Croatian food company Koestlin.

Snickerdoodle Freeze

Made up of cinnamon, chocolate macadamia nut and white chocolate w/ cinnamon sprinks, it's exactly what you would expect. Did you know you can get any of our freezes made as lattes, breves or mochas? Try the Snickerdoodle iced as a breve, it won't disappoint!