The First Batch of Cookies is Out of the Oven

Well hello. The weather is horrid outside - raining, but nothing like Queensland - the kids are going stir crazy for not getting to go outside and it's muggy! So what to do? Bake my first batch of cookies for The Cookie Review. This week's tasty morsels are Snickerdoodles! These have been a long time favourite of mine and a frequent request of my family. I thought for the first post we should start with a winner and from here out there will be recipes that I haven't baked before so you will get to be here for the successes and failures. I am not too proud to post those that turn out disastrous as it shows that even those of us who consider themselves good bakers have a great fail at times. I think the chickens will love getting their little beaks on those ones! Plus the kids will probably eat them anyway, they are little and not really great critics as of yet.

Firstly a little about myself. I'm a Stay at Home Mum and proud of it. My house is by no means perfect, but the kids are always dressed, clean (well hygenic clean, not necessarily dirt, sand, muck free), and there is usually laughter and things being done. I love to bake, as to why I started the blog, craft, make candles and have a little business LimeDaisy Design selling Breast Pads for those of us who are passionate Breastfeeders. My two children are helpers each in their own special way. M as the destructor of the kitchen cupboards and A as taster, mixer and bowl licker. Hopefully one day they will also be the assistant bakers and dishwashers!

I have always loved baking and doing all the fiddly little things that make the cookies or other treats that extra bit special. I'll tell a few more tales along the way. Today, I'll just get onto the cookie review.

Snickerdoodles - they make your house smell amazing! There is no way to describe how wonderful a house filled with just a hint of cinnamon and the warmth of the oven baking feels so inviting. These are a winner, hands down one of the classics that everyone should make. Just look at how yummy they look! They are made in no time and even the most novice of bakers should be able to have great success with these ones.

Now I have also come across a twist - Chocodoodles - so of course I had to give those a go. They were ok, but really nothing to rave about. I do not think they should be in the league of the Snickerdoodle as once they have the cocoa added they really lose all Snickerdoodle qualities.

Here is the image of them before going into the oven - I like to make them kid size so that they can have 2 and still think they are getting a lot.

And here is the final result.

Positives of this cookie - just as fast and easy as the original Snickerdoodle about 6-8minutes to prepare them, not a super sweet cookie as they have cocoa in them so give them that rich taste without being sugary. Negatives - as you roll them in cocoa/sugar blend, can tend to have a bit of a burnt edge to them with the cocoa getting too brown, bit on the boring side really. Recipes for both are below.

Give them a go and let me know what you think! Happy Baking! Join me next Thursday when I review another cookie!

Snickerdoodles

1 cup (225 gram) butter or margerine (I honestly only use butter) softened

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 eggs - fresh from our chickens

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups all purpose flour (plain flour)

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of cream of tartar

1/4 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons sugar

In large bow of an electric mixer, beat butter and the 1 1/3 cups of sugar until creamy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, blending thoroughly.

In small bow, combine cinnamon and the 3 tablespoons sugar. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat. Place at least 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Bake in a 375 F (~160 C fanforced or 180 C) for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheets for about a minute, then transfer to racks and let cool completely. Store airtight. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen.

Chocodoodles - add 2 tablespoons cocoa to flour mixture and roll the balls in cocoa and sugar mixture instead of cinnamon and sugar mixture.