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WATERTOWN WEATHER

A Cozy Christmas Classic: Homemade Snickerdoodle Cookies

Dec 23, 2025 12:19PM ● By Eliza Urbaniak
The holiday season wouldn’t feel complete without the smell of fresh cookies baking in the oven,  especially when cinnamon is involved. Snickerdoodles are a Christmas classic: soft, lightly crisp on the edges, and coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar finish that feels warm and nostalgic.

This recipe is one I come back to every year. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or a quiet night at home with a mug of hot cocoa. I’m excited to share it with our community as part of the season’s celebration.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

  • ½ cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • ¼ cup water, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Ground cinnamon, to taste (for the dough)

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.

  3. Add the water, vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.

  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Sprinkle in a small amount of cinnamon for added holiday flavor.

  5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.

  6. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon for rolling.

  7. Scoop the dough into small balls, roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

  8. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.

  9. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a plate

Holiday Baking Tip

For the softest snickerdoodles, avoid overbaking. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool. For extra festive flavor, don’t be shy with the cinnamon, a little added to the dough makes all the difference.


A Sweet Way to Celebrate the Season

These snickerdoodle cookies are perfect for sharing with family, friends, and neighbors during the holidays. Whether you’re baking for a party, filling cookie tins, or starting a new tradition, this recipe brings a little extra warmth to Christmas.

From my kitchen to yours, happy holidays and happy baking from NBC Watertown!
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