Snickerdoodles

Have you ever heard of "love language"?  Everybody needs to feel loved from time to time.  And because we're all different we need that love shown in ways we can personally understand.  Some people like gifts, others need a simple word, a text or touch affirming this love from time to time.  

There are as many ways to show love as there are stars in the sky.  

My husband and I don't over do it when it comes to celebrating Valentine's Day.  I don't need to have a dozen roses sent to me at work, nor do I need a big box of chocolates waiting on the kitchen table when I get home.  My needs are simple; take out the trash before it gets out of hand, and look me in the eye from time to time and tell me how you much you love me.  And a card, I like a good Hallmark message.  Does your spouse need a good foot rub and a nice dinner on the table to feel loved ?  Does holding hands and talking to each other without cell phone interruption do the trick?  Telling those special people in your life how you feel about them and how much they are loved and needed, covers a lot of ground in relationships.

What does all that have to do with Snickerdoodles?  My mother-in-law (Edith) was one of the most wonderful, angelic women I've ever known.  Edith used to make Snickerdoodles for my husband when he was a boy.  These cookies bring back warm memories of his days growing up in a loving home with Mom baking in the kitchen.  When I asked him what kind of cookies he wanted this year his first choice was Snickerdoodles.  I would have gone for something chocolate - Venus and Mars you know.

When I was thinking about ways to show my husband I love him, I thought about making these cookies. The aroma of the cookies baking while smothered in cinnamon was so warming.   They filled our home with love and cinnamon and were the perfect gift.  He loves this cookie!

Since they're not the traditional chocolate or heart shaped treat, I added a little extra sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar in the form of a heart.  Just trying to be romantic you know!

Would you believe this is the first time I've made Snickerdoodles and the first time I ever tasted them?  This cookie is so soft, chewy, cinnamony, and sweet.   As close to perfect as you can get!

No matter what you decide to do to show your love for your spouse, a friend, your students, a teacher, parents, children or pets, as long as you give it with love it will always be special.  Just make the cookies, you'll see.

Snickerdoodles
(adapted from a recipe by Juju Bee on Food.com)
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar (optional - if desired)
4 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl beat together the butter, sugar and eggs until well mixed.

In a separate medium bowl combine the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt.  Whisk until combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat until blended.

Cover and place the dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour.  Longer is better.

When ready to bake the cookies preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  While the oven is preheating, mix together the remaining 4 tablespoons sugar, 4 teaspoons cinnamon and turbinado sugar if using.  Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and roll int the cinnamon sugar mixture until covered.  Place the covered cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from the pan immediately and cool completely on a wire rack.  Do not allow the unbaked cookies to sit on the hot pan.  When preparing the next batch of dough, set them aside and place them on the cookie sheet immediately before baking.  This helps keep them from spreading too much.

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Don't forget to enter a chance to win a copy of Nicole S. Young's book, Food Photography - From Snapshots to Great Shots.  You can enter by leaving a comment on the previous post - Homemade Naan.  Good luck!  I'll announce the winner on Thursday, February 14th.

I hope you have a great week and thanks so much for stopping by!

Tricia