Snickerdoodles for Almond Lovers

One of the cookies the boys and my husband love to eat are snickerdoodles. 

The blending of cinnamon sugar with a cookie that sometimes melts in your mouth is practically heavenly.

They are not a complicated cookie to make.

But, they have a wonderful melt in your mouth consistency that can make them addictive. 

My husband prefers almond extract to vanilla extract in many classic baked goods.

Here is our snickerdoodles for almond lovers recipe. 

Now, if you don’t love almond (or have someone allergic to it!), then just substitute with vanilla extract.

Vanilla is what most people use in a traditional snickerdoodle cookie.

Either way, this is one yummy cookie!

Tools for Baking Snickerdoodle Cookies

Like anything you make, there are tools that help you have a great cookie making experience.

This is not specific to just these snickerdoodles cookies. Rather they apply to basically any cookie.

First: Cookie Sheets

There are several options.

You could go for the traditional flat sheet with no lip. Many of these are layered with ‘air’ between the sheets of metal. That layer of air is supposed to help keep them from burning.

Or, you can use a jelly roll style pan for your cookies (so it is harder for them to slide off when taking them out of the oven.)

Also, there are baking stone pans that you can use for cookies. These often give a wonderful crisp to your cookie and seem to have fewer ‘hot spots’ than your traditional cookie sheet. We own one from Pampered Chef.

While looking for other things online, I found this series of bakeware that combines the lighter weight of a metal pan with some of the qualities of stone: Granitestone Bakeware. I am curious enough that I might order one up soon to test it out.

My personal preference is for those jelly roll style of pans since I can use them for so many different things. And sometimes you can find a set that includes a cooling rack, too!

Nordic Ware Baker’s Big Sheet, 2-Pack, SilverNordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet, 2 pack, 2-Pack, SilverWildone Baking Sheet & Rack Set [2 Sheets + 2 Racks], Stainless Steel Cookie Pan with Cooling Rack, Size 16 x 12 x 1 Inch, Non Toxic & Heavy Duty & Easy CleanBaking Sheet 55 PCS Baking Sheet Set with 2 PCS Stainless Steel Baking Pans & Cooling Rack,Silicone Baking Mat & 50 Parchment Papers Oven Safe Dishwasher SafeGranitestone Bakeware Nonstick Cookie Sheet XL Baking Tray, Even Heat & Non-Warp Technology, Ultra Nonstick Mineral Coating & Dishwasher Safe, Pro Heavy-Duty Chef’s Bakeware 17.7” x 12.7” Full Sized

 

Second: How to Keep Them from Sticking

Ever pull out a tray of cookies just to find that they all stuck and break apart when you remove them?

Nope? Just me?

Okay, I’ll admit that we’ve had more than one batch of cookies succumb to the stick factor.

If you use a baking stone style of pan, then the seasoning done for it should be sufficient to have your cookies coming off without struggling.

Otherwise you have a few options.

You can use a nonstick spray on the pan. We used to do this, but found it likes to build up over time and not come off.

Vegalene is a brand that several ladies into whole foods cooking will use. It blends 3 different oils to make it more heat resistant.

Parchment paper can be cut to size. Or you can buy it already cut for you. This has the added benefit of being able to lift/slide the paper off the sheet with the cookies on it for cooling.

Finally, you can invest in a silicone mat that fits the sheet. This can also be lifted or slid off the pan for cooling. Plus, it is reusable as you wash it between uses.

My boys prefer parchment paper as it is easy to use and you just toss it to clean up.

Kootek 200 Pcs Parchment Paper Sheets, 12 X 16 Inch Non-Stick Baking Sheet, Pre-cut Parchment Liner Unbleached Baker Papers for Grilling Air Fryer Steaming Cooking Bread Cake and CookiesUnbleached Parchment Paper Roll 205 SQ FT Baking Paper 15 in 164 ft by Baker’s Signature | Silicone Coated & Unbleached – Will not Soak Through or Burn – Non-Toxic & Comes in Convenient PackagingIf You Care Parchment Baking Paper – 70 Sq Ft Roll – Unbleached, Chlorine Free, Greaseproof, Silicone Coated – Standard Size – Fits 13 Inch PansSilicone Baking Mats – Non Stick Sheet Mat – Large BPA Free Professional Grade Liner Sheets – Perfect Bakeware for Making Cookies, Macarons, Bread and Pastry 3 sheetsSilpat Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat, Half Sheet Size, 11-5/8 x 16-1/2Vegalene Premium 3 Oil Blend Cooking Spray, 14 oz (Pack of 2)Smart Balance Cooking Spray, Non-Stick Original , 6 Ounce (Pack of 2)

 

Third: Removing and Cooling the Snickerdoodles

Picture it:

The timer has gone off.
The cookies smell heavenly.
Now you just have to get them off the pan and cooled enough to enjoy.

This requires 2 things. A cooling rack and a good spatula.

For those short on counter space, a stacking cooling rack system can be a great thing to have.

If you used parchment paper or the silicone mat, then getting your perfectly baked cookies off the baking sheet is a little easier.

Just carefully lift up an edge and slide the entire sheet onto a baking rack.

If you didn’t do this (or want to have complete air circulation around your cookie, then you’ll need to gently lift each cooking off the baking sheet with a spatula.

I’ve found the best ones are either a hard plastic or a thin flexible metal.

Those cheap black plastic ones work great, but are not as good for your health or the environment. (Read more from my friend Leah at Mamavation about the dangers of black plastic for food.)

Metal works wonderful, but if you are using a silicone mat it is easy to cause a rip or tear.

We own and use both.

And I keep wishing someone would make a wooden spatula that work well for this (or flipping pancakes!) There’s an inexpensive bamboo spatula from Norpro that I want to test out soon.

Norpro Nylon Nonstick 13-Inch Slotted SpatulaChef Craft Select Stainless Steel Turner/Spatula, 12.75 inch, BlackDI ORO Designer Series Flexible 3-Piece Silicone Turner Spatula SetSabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner, 9.65-Inch, BlackNorpro Bamboo 12-Inch Spatula, Flat Handle

 

Does your family enjoy Snickerdoodles?
What are some of the other cookies you love to eat?