A snickerdoodle is a type of cookie made with butter or oil, sugar, and flour, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Eggs may also sometimes be used as an ingredient, with cream of tartar and baking soda added to leaven the dough. Snickerdoodles are characterized by a cracked surface and can be either crisp or soft depending on the ingredients used. Snickerdoodles are often referred to as "sugar cookies". However, traditional sugar cookies are often rolled in white sugar whereas snickerdoodles are rolled in a mixture of white sugar and cinnamon.
Etymology
The Joy of Cooking claims that snickerdoodles are probably German in origin, and that the name is a corruption of the German word :de:Schneckennudel|Schneckennudel, a Palatine variety of schnecken. It is also possible that the name is simply a nonsense word with no particular meaning, originating from a New England tradition of whimsical cookie names. The Oxford English Dictionary claims the word's origin is "uncertain", and possibly a portmanteau of the word "snicker", an "imitative" English word with Scottish roots that indicates a "smothered laugh", and "doodle", a Germanic loanword into English meaning a "simple or foolish fellow," originally derived from the Germanic dudeltopf, meaning "simpleton, noodle, night-cap". The word "snicker" had appeared in the English language by 1836, while "doodle" had appeared by the early 17th century. The word "snickerdoodle" itself, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is first recorded in 1889.
Food trends
The snickerdoodle is a very common cookie in the United States, but is relatively unknown in other countries. The cookie is common to Mennonite and Amish communities and was a favorite treat of the Indiana poet, James Whitcomb Riley. In more recent times, the Snickerdoodle cookie has transformed into a popular flavor of desserts, sweets, drinks, etc. Big brands have taken the simple dessert and turned them into their own original products. For example, General Mills created a Snickerdoodle flavored Chex MixMuddy Buddies to their snack line. During the 2014 holiday season, Dunkin' Donuts unveiled a Snickerdoodle Cookie Latte on their holiday menu. In addition to a Snickerdoodle latte, NestléCoffee-Mate introduced their take on the cookie in the form of a coffee creamer. Brands such as Braum's Ice Cream and Prairie Farms have dedicated an ice cream flavor to the popular cookie.
Commercial products
The Snickerdoodle scent has also become popular in non-edible products. In 2014, Bath and Body Works launched their "Made with Love" holiday collection. This collection included a Snickerdoodle scented candle. However, this scent failed to gain popularity. In addition, the skin care company Philosophy, Inc. released a Snickerdoodle scented body wash and shampoo in their "Twas the Night Before Christmas" collection. This scent has been discontinued.
