By now, you know that my family is from the south so turnip greens, soup beans and cornbread were a staple growing up. What you don’t know is that I grew up smack dab in the middle of Amish country where every mailbox listed Miller, Swartzentruber or Yoder, where our local grocery had more hitching posts than parking spaces and where out of towners descended to buy quilts, wood furniture and delicious baked goods.
The Amish were green before green was hip. They reuse, recycle and make do. Simplicity is a way of life. So with today’s economy, I’m reaching back into the recipes my Amish neighbors taught me. From Shoofly pie to Soda Cracker Pudding, Homemade Egg Noodles to Half Moon Pie, Amish recipes are simple, frugal and delish!
Today we’re going to learn how to make the Amish version of Snickerdoodles which are large, soft, puffy cookies dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
Oh, and when my Amish neighbors said they were baking, they were B-A-K-I-N-G! Not one pie, not two, but 5 or 6 pies at a time, 12 loaves of bread and 6-8 dozen cookies. So if you’re wondering if the measurements in this recipes are correct, the answer is, as my friend Wanda Swartzentruber would say, “Ja!” (yep!). This recipe makes about 5-6 dozen cookies but it can easily be split in half. I like to bake the whole batch because they freeze well, and my neighbor happens to love them.
AMISH SNICKEROODLES
- 1 cup shortening (traditionally, homemade lard is used but since I haven’t slaughtered a pig this summer, shortening will do)
- 4 eggs
- 3 cups sugar
- 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 5 1/2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tsp. vanilla (the vanilla isn’t traditional either but I like the taste with the cinnamon)
- Cinnamon and sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 350° Farenheit.
In a mixer, cream the shortening and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add the vanilla.
Sift the flour, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar together. Add slowly to the mixture until well combined.
Mix about 2-3 Tablespoons each of sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Roll into walnut sized balls and roll into the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.











July 24th, 2008 at 6:40 am
yes ma’am, the amish know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to baking. i’ve never gotten a dessert (or any other item, for that matter) from them that wasn’t carefully created and delicious.
snickerdoodles happen to be one of my favorite cookies–i have a slight cinnamon obsession. these look fantastic!
July 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
these look absolutely delicious Francie…
I love the taste and aroma of cinnamon….it’s a shame that I’m on a diet
July 27th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Oh, I hear ya, girlfriend! I managed to grab one before my husband and kids devoured them. They’re my diet police in that they eat it before I can get any.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Thank you for the wonderful SNICKEROODLE recipe but please try them with lard. They will be so much better. If you need a source for lard, try Mother Linda’s at:
http://www.motherlindas.com/lard_for_sale.htm
If she’s out, just wait till she gets some in to make these cookies again.
For more on lard – go to:
http://marysnest.typepad.com/marys_nest/2008/07/meet-your-new-b.html
All the best,
Mary Shrader
http://marysnest.typepad.com
July 28th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I love your blog. What a great design! Perfect for recipes.
The cookies look pretty good, too.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Thanks so much, Heather. I’m a fan of Autumn at Oak Hollow too!
July 29th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Wow these look great. I’m on a cinnamon kick at the moment so snickerdoodles….here I come!
August 4th, 2008 at 10:08 am
We would like to feature this recipe on our blog. Please email haleyglasco@gmail.com if interested. Thanks
Haley
http://blog.keyingredient.com/
August 6th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Yummy! This is a perfect recipe for a bake sale I need to bake for in a couple of weeks – thanks so much!
January 18th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Wow!looks delicious..my mom always called them snickerdoodles tho..she was always kinda confused tho..lol
February 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
My kids just loved the cookies..they give you two thumbs up
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March 11th, 2009 at 7:21 am
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June 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 am
I love everything that has cinamon inside. These cookies look really tasty. Thanks for sharing this cookie recipe with us. I have already copied and pasted to a word document. I will give it a try soon.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I couldn’t agree more that much needs to be said about simple lifestyles, but you should address the need nutrition, dieting and food substitutes. Many are allergic to eggs. What is a good substitute for eggs?
•2 Tbsp. Corn starch = 1 egg
•2 Tbsp. Arrowroot flour = 1 egg
•2 Tbsp. Potato starch = 1 egg
•1 heaping tbsp. Soy powder plus 2 Tbsp water = 1 egg
•1 Tbsp. Soy milk powder plus 1 Tbsp Cornstarch and 2 Tbsp. Water = 1 egg
•1 banana – 1 egg in cakes
•Ener-G Egg Replacer – follow directions on the box = 1 egg
If you are attempting to cut calories and need a calorie chart visit our website.
July 15th, 2009 at 9:54 am
great post, thanks
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December 6th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Wow, the cooking way of this dish is great and easy to cook, I’ll try it later and I hope it tastes delicious. Just one suggestion: If you add some cooking pictures it will be easier to follow! One question:How to add you blog into my rrs reader? thanks so much.
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December 18th, 2009 at 7:03 am
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