Are you craving the warm, cinnamon-y hug of a snickerdoodle cookie but don't want to wait for baking time? Then get ready to dive headfirst into a bowl of pure deliciousness with this safe snickerdoodle cookie dough recipe! This recipe offers all the comforting spice and sweet sugar of classic snickerdoodles, without the oven-time commitment. Perfect for a quick dessert, a fun family activity, or simply satisfying that sweet tooth, this easy recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's also a fantastic option for healthy meal planning, as it can be a fun and delicious treat without excessive guilt!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Coating (Optional):
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Gather all your ingredients and make sure your butter is nice and soft. This will help it cream together smoothly with the sugars. Having everything prepped ahead of time makes the whole process much faster and easier!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is best done with an electric mixer, but you can achieve a similar result with vigorous hand mixing. The fluffier the mixture, the better your dough will turn out!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing clumps in your dough.
Step 5: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the dough tough.
Step 6: Prepare the Coating (Optional):
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the coating.
Step 7: Coat and Enjoy!
If you're adding the coating, roll the cookie dough into small balls and roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Otherwise, simply enjoy the dough as is! You can serve the dough immediately or chill it for later—it's delicious either way!
Cooking Tips for the Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough:
- Soft Butter is Key: Using softened butter is crucial for a smooth and creamy dough. If your butter is too cold, it will be difficult to mix.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cookie dough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill for Enhanced Flavor (Optional): Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld and makes it easier to handle.
Variations:
- Add Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a delicious twist.
- Nuts for Crunch: Incorporate ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for a more intense spice flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving - approximate, uncoated):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Fat: 8-10g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
- Sugar: 15-20g
- Protein: 2-3g
This information is approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy your delicious and safe snickerdoodle cookie dough! Remember to always practice safe food handling techniques, especially when consuming raw dough.