Snickerdoodles 

Buttery cinnamony cookies- YUM! Do you call them Snickerdoodle Cookies or Snickerdoodles? They are my son's FAVORITE cookie of all time.  Of course, he's merely 9 years old, I'm sure there's time for other cookies in his life.  My favorite part is how they start off with this soft crunchy texture then they just dissolve on the tongue like cotton candy.

Do not attempt to make this recipe using butter only and skipping the shortening.  You'll be left with cookies that leave you feeling bad about yourself.  Follow this one exactly.  This recipe comes straight from my secret cookie book.

HERE'S ALL IT TAKES

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Mixed together in a small bowl and set aside. This is what you'll use to coat the dough balls.

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 2 eggs

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt

Heat oven to 400ºF degrees.  Beat 1 1/2 cups sugar, the shortening and butter in a large electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.  Add in the eggs one at a time.

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.  Reduce electric mixer speed to Stir or Low; gradually add in dry ingredients a third at a time. As soon as all the flour is moistened, stop stirring.

Set up your assembly area. Dough bowl - cinnamon sugar bowl- ungreased cookie sheet.

Use a 1 inch scooper to measure out and drop dough balls into cinnamon coating.  Roll the dough ball around until well coated.  Shake off excess coating, then move to cookie sheet.  Place dough balls 2 inches apart.

Bake about 10 minutes or until centers are almost set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Cooking Note: The dough is sticky.  Using the scooper and wearing a pair of latex medical gloves, makes the task easier to handle and easier to clean up.  I wouldn't make these cookies without them.

Do not attempt to flatten the dough balls.  They will flatten beautifully on their own and make that wonderful cracked look.

And finally, just like the recipe reads, bake until almost set.  They're perfect when they still look a little wet in the center.  These cookies firm up as they cool down.  Over baking them, even just a couple of minutes, will make them crumble quicker later on.

Alright, that's it.  Totally fun to make alone, or with your kids. Their always a crowd pleaser anytime of the year.