If you’re looking for a twist on the classic snickerdoodle, brown butter snickerdoodles are the perfect upgrade. These cookies offer a rich, caramel-like flavor that makes them stand out. Brown butter adds depth to the dough, giving each bite a nutty and buttery taste. With a chewy middle and crispy edges, they’re irresistible for any cookie lover.
Whether you’re making these for a holiday gathering or just to satisfy a sweet craving, the brown butter in this recipe takes snickerdoodles to the next level. This guide will walk you through every step, from browning the butter to baking the cookies, ensuring you achieve the perfect texture and flavor every time.
What Are Snickerdoodles?
Snickerdoodles are a classic cookie that has stood the test of time. With their crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating and soft, chewy center, they’ve been a family favorite for generations. Traditionally, snickerdoodles are sugar cookies rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking, creating a flavor that is both sweet and slightly spicy.
One unique ingredient that sets snickerdoodles apart from regular sugar cookies is cream of tartar. This simple addition gives the cookies their characteristic tang and helps to keep the centers soft while the edges become crisp. Cream of tartar also reacts with baking soda, ensuring the cookies rise properly without becoming too flat.
The Role of Brown Butter in Snickerdoodles
The star of this recipe is brown butter. If you’ve never used brown butter in baking before, you’re in for a treat. Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes these cookies stand out from the crowd. The process of browning butter involves cooking it slowly until the milk solids turn golden brown, resulting in a deep, caramelized flavor that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon in snickerdoodles.
Brown butter can elevate any cookie recipe, but in snickerdoodles, it adds a depth of flavor that regular butter just can’t achieve. The nutty aroma and toasty notes it imparts are what make these cookies so special. The process of browning the butter is simple, but it requires attention to ensure you don’t burn it.
How to Brown Butter Perfectly
To make brown butter, melt unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent burning. First, the butter will foam as the water evaporates. Then, it will begin to turn golden brown, and you’ll smell a nutty aroma. When you see the milk solids at the bottom of the pan turning a deep amber color, remove the butter from the heat.
Important tip: Pour the browned butter into a heat-proof bowl immediately to prevent it from continuing to cook in the pan. Let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before using it in the recipe.
If you’re new to browning butter or need a visual guide, check out Bon Appétit’s detailed step-by-step guide on how to brown butter for extra tips and photos.
Ingredients Breakdown for Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make these cookies so delicious:
- Brown Butter: As mentioned, this adds a deep, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookie.
- Dark Brown Sugar: This gives the cookies their chewy texture and adds a molasses-like richness. The moisture in dark brown sugar helps to keep the cookies soft.
- Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar is used in combination with brown sugar for balance. It also adds a bit of crispness to the edges.
- Egg & Egg Yolk: The egg provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together. The extra egg yolk adds richness and keeps the cookies chewy.
- Greek Yogurt: A surprising addition to this recipe, Greek yogurt adds a slight tang and helps create the perfect chewy texture. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can substitute it with sour cream.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla enhances the flavor of all the other ingredients and adds warmth to the cookies.
- Cream of Tartar: This is what gives snickerdoodles their classic tang and chewy texture. It also helps the cookies rise and gives them their unique soft interior.
- Cinnamon & Sugar: The signature snickerdoodle coating. Rolling the dough balls in this mixture before baking gives the cookies their classic flavor and crunch.
Each ingredient plays an essential role in making these cookies the best snickerdoodles you’ll ever taste.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s walk through the process of making these incredible cookies:
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by browning your butter. As discussed earlier, this process takes about 5-8 minutes. Don’t rush it—properly browned butter will make all the difference. Once browned, transfer the butter to a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cooled brown butter with both the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix them together until the texture is smooth and creamy. Next, add in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt. Beat everything together until fully combined. This step ensures the dough will be rich and flavorful.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Once your dough is mixed, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better. Chilling the dough allows the flavors to meld and ensures that the cookies hold their shape during baking. If you’re in a hurry, you can chill the dough for about 30-45 minutes in the freezer, though the texture won’t be quite the same.
Step 5: Roll in Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture
After the dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar for coating. Roll each dough ball in the mixture, making sure it’s fully covered.
Step 6: Bake
Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to ensure they don’t overbake. The centers may still look soft when you take them out, but they will firm up as they cool.
Perfecting the Cookie: Pro Tips for Success
Baking cookies might seem simple, but there are a few key techniques that will ensure your brown butter snickerdoodles turn out perfect every time.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much. If the dough is too warm, the butter will melt quickly in the oven, resulting in flat, thin cookies.
- Measure Ingredients Carefully: Baking is a science, and precise measurements are crucial. Too much flour can result in dense cookies, while too little can make them too soft and spread too thin. Use the spoon-and-level method to measure flour for accuracy.
- Let the Butter Cool: After browning the butter, let it cool slightly before adding it to the sugar. If the butter is too hot, it can cause the sugar to dissolve too quickly, affecting the final texture of the cookies.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Old baking soda or cream of tartar can lead to cookies that don’t rise properly. Make sure your baking ingredients are fresh for the best results.
Delicious Variations on Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
There are endless ways to customize and elevate your brown butter snickerdoodles. Here are a few creative variations to try:
1. Add Chocolate Chips
For a more indulgent cookie, add white or dark chocolate chips to the dough. The combination of chocolate and cinnamon is incredibly delicious, and the brown butter only enhances the overall flavor. Try adding 1 cup of chocolate chips to the dough before rolling it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
2. Spiced Snickerdoodles
If you love warm, spicy flavors, consider adding other spices like cardamom or nutmeg to the dough. Just a pinch of these spices can give the cookies a unique twist that pairs perfectly with the brown butter and cinnamon.
3. Stuffed Snickerdoodles
For an extra special treat, try stuffing the dough with caramel or Nutella. Simply flatten each dough ball slightly, place a small spoonful of caramel or Nutella in the center, and fold the dough around it. The result is a gooey, melty center that takes these cookies to the next level.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a detailed recipe, a few things can go wrong when baking cookies. Here’s how to avoid some common pitfalls:
- Overmixing the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Once you’ve added the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mix just until combined.
- Not Chilling the Dough: Skipping the chilling step can cause the cookies to spread too much, resulting in thin, flat cookies. Chilling the dough helps to solidify the butter, which in turn helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Using Old Baking Soda: Baking soda loses its potency over time, so make sure yours is fresh. Old baking soda can result in cookies that don’t rise properly, leaving them dense and flat.
Storing and Freezing Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
One of the great things about cookies is that they freeze well, meaning you can make a big batch and enjoy them whenever the craving strikes.
Storing Baked Cookies
Store your baked snickerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days. You can also freeze baked cookies by placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat them, just let them thaw at room temperature.
Freezing Cookie Dough
If you want to freeze the cookie dough for later, roll the dough into balls after chilling and flash freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed. You may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does cream of tartar do in snickerdoodles?
Cream of tartar is an essential ingredient in snickerdoodles. It gives the cookies their signature tang and chewy texture. Cream of tartar also reacts with baking soda, helping the cookies rise and creating their soft, pillowy centers.
2. Can I make snickerdoodles without cream of tartar?
Yes, you can, but the cookies won’t have the traditional tangy flavor. If you don’t have cream of tartar on hand, you can substitute it with an equal amount of lemon juice or vinegar. However, the flavor and texture won’t be quite the same.
3. Why are my snickerdoodles flat?
There are a few reasons why your snickerdoodles might be coming out flat. First, make sure you’re chilling the dough for at least 2 hours. Warm dough spreads too much in the oven, resulting in flat cookies. Also, check that your baking soda is fresh. Old baking soda can cause cookies to not rise properly.
4. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe by half. The added salt in the butter can throw off the balance of flavors if you don’t adjust the additional salt in the recipe.
5. How can I make my cookies extra chewy?
To make your cookies extra chewy, slightly underbake them. Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look a little soft. As they cool, the centers will firm up, resulting in a perfectly chewy texture.
For more baking tips, you can also check out Healthline’s detailed guide on baking techniques.
Conclusion: Why Brown Butter Snickerdoodles Are Worth the Effort
Brown butter snickerdoodles are a delicious and indulgent twist on the classic cookie. The brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that elevates the cookies to a whole new level. With their chewy centers, crispy edges, and cinnamon-sugar coating, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your household.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to bake the perfect batch of brown butter snickerdoodles every time. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try one of the variations, you’re guaranteed a delicious treat that everyone will love. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the best snickerdoodles you’ve ever had!