Real German Snickerdoodles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are snickerdoodles 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.

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.

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

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.

Snickerdoodles are characterized by a cracked surface and can be crisp or soft depending on the ingredients used. Snickerdoodles are often referred to as sugar biscuits. However, there is one key ingredient that's critical to the signature snickerdoodle taste: cream of tartar.

The Joy of Cooking claims that snickerdoodles are probably German in origin, and that the name is a corruption of the German word , a Palatine variety of schnecken. It is also possible that the name is simply a nonsense word with no particular meaning, originating from a New England tradition of whimsical cookie names.

Snickerdoodles might turn out hard if they are overbaked or if the dough is too dry.

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

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).

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.

Snickerdoodles may be considered a type of sugar cookie but the truth is that they are not prepared in the same way. A proper Snickerdoodle cookie recipe calls for cream of tartar, an ingredient not commonly added to cookie doughs. In fact, cream of tartar is most often added to egg whites when making meringue.

Why are my snickerdoodles flat? Snickerdoodles can come out flat if 1) the leaveners you used (for this recipe, it's both the baking soda and the cream of tartar) are on the old side and no longer work, and 2) if you baked them at a lower temperature. First, figure out if it's your leavener.

“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.

The history of these cookies begins some six hundred years ago, in Germany. During those times, the Lebkuchen cookies were called “honey cakes” across Europe, due to honey being its main ingredient. Honey is a timeless ingredient, in the sense that it never expires.

There is a strong baking tradition in Germany, from hearty breads to delicate pastries. And at Christmastime, that tradition is expressed through platters of cookies, like cardamom-scented slices dipped in chocolate, crisp sandwich cookies filled with jam and more.

Though the appeal of snickerdoodles is universal, their history is not as definitive. The earliest recipes appeared in print towards the end of the 19^th century, but handwritten recipes circulated for many years beforehand.