C is for Cookie, S is for Snifferdoodles (aka Snickerdoodles, read on)… 🙂
These past few weeks I’ve been pensive. I think more than I’d like to any given day, but this past month I have felt particularly heavy in thought. September always evokes much mood for me – apprehension about a the school year for our girls, a new routine/schedule to manage, and saying farewell to summer. While fall is a favorite season for many, it’s not for me. I prefer the brightness and warmth of summer, and my vata-nature always feels its best during those warm months. I have also been trying to determine where my work efforts are best directed. I am one person and one mama, with three daughters and a household to manage. I love to blog, to communicate – and of course to create my recipes. I have a stack of recipes needing edits, a backlog of food photos I want to blog and share, and several “ideas” I’d like to pursue. I need three of me to work all of this out!
When I’m in these pensive times, I find comfort in simple things. Food is one of them. If I’m not sitting with a hot tea and some dark chocolate for a few moments of comfort, then I might be baking – because that also reminds of the good and simple things in life. Taking a handful of ingredients and turning them into something fragrant and sweet to flow through your home. To have a little goodie to give your kiddos, and see their smile when they take that first bite.
And cookies are one of my favorite things to create and bake. When I was testing this Snickerdoodle recipe for LTEV, our daughter kept calling them “Snifferdoodles”. I loved the name – and as you can see in the book, it stuck. Recently I transformed these Snifferdoodles into ice cream sandwiches for the girls (fine, for me – because if a piece of chocolate and tea doesn’t give me a comfort fix, ice cream surely will). I’m sharing this recipe with you today, because maybe you are also feeling some ‘fall blues’, or finding yourself absorbed in thought. Let’s hope that it takes just a couple of batches of cookies to figure things out. 😉
Snifferdoodles wheat-free, soy-free (link to print/share recipe)
I had originally called these Maple Sugar Snickerdoodles. However, one day our middle daughter called them Snifferdoodles. I loved the name so much I had to go with it! They are delicious, and terrific for bringing to school or other parties, where allergies such as to peanuts, nuts, wheat, and even chocolate are always an issue.
3/4 cup + 1 tbsp spelt flour
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp oat flour
1⁄3 cup unrefined sugar
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp (rounded) baking soda
¼ tsp cinnamon (see note for anise “biscochitos” adaptation)
1⁄4 tsp sea salt
¼ cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp organic neutral-tasting oil (ex: avocado, almond, etc)
For coating:
2 tsp unrefined sugar (fine textured)
1 tsp cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients, sifting in the baking powder and baking soda, mixing well. In a separate bowl, combine the maple syrup, vanilla, and oil. Add the wet mixture to the dry, and stir until just incor- porated. Place the mixture in the fridge for about 5 minutes. While the cookie mixture chills, mix the coating ingredients together in a separate small bowl. Remove the cookie mixture from the fridge, and take small spoonfuls of the batter (about 1⁄2 tablespoon each; see note) of the batter and roll in your hands to form balls. Place on the prepared (you will still need to coat them, so just place randomly on the lined pan until ready to move to that step). Continue until you have used all the batter. Roll each ball in the coating mixture, and then place back on the lined pan, this time spacing out the cookies evenly. Do not flatten them! Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven (if you bake for much longer, they will dry out), let cool on the pan for no more than a minute (again, to prevent drying), then transfer to a cooling rack. Makes 15-18 snifferdoodles.
If This Apron Could Talk:
I make these cookies a little smaller than most of the others. They are perfect for little hands when bite size. Because they are smaller, you should get a yield of between 18 to 25 cookies, and the baking time will be only 10 to 11 minutes. If you choose to make them a little larger, the yield should be 13 to 15 cookies; bake for 11 to 12 minutes.
You may have extra sugar mixture after coating the cookies. Don’t throw it away! Use it to sprinkle on ice cream, bagels, toast, yogurt, or cereal!
Ingredients 411:
If the batter is a touch dry when mixing, use another 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon of oil and mix with another smidgen (about 1 teaspoon) of maple syrup. Depending on the brand of flour used and/or time of year, this is a good trick. Simply fold the oil and syrup into the batter, and repeat if needed. Just don’t overdo it—the batter should be thick and not too wet or oily, or the cookies will spread out flat and join when baking.
Make It More-ish!
After making these cookies, I learned about biscochitos, which are Mexican cookies flavored with anise and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. To make a biscochito instead of a Snifferdoodle, omit the 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon from the batter and replace it with 3⁄4 to 1 teaspoon of aniseeds, crushed just slightly between your fingers before mixing in (if you love that licorice flavor, use the full 1 teaspoon, or more)! The cookies will look the same, just taste different!
You can also make different shapes with the batter, if you first refrigerate it for 20 or more minutes to get firmer. Roll out about 1⁄4 inch thick and cut into shapes before dusting with the cinnamon sugar.
To make ice cream sandwiches: Let ice cream soften in the refrigerator. Once ice cream is softened enough to easily scoop/spread, get started. Spread a layer of ice cream on the flat (under) side of one cookie. Place the underside of another cookie on top, and lightly press together. After making 3-4 sandwiches, transfer to freezer immediately to set. Continue in batches, freeze until firm, and store in a sealed container.
*For those of you waiting on more from the Plant-Powered Kids series, my apologies as I won’t be getting a new post out this week. Please subscribe to my blog for any new updates. Enjoy the cookies. 🙂
Does baking or cooking bring you comfort as well? What do you most love to create or bake?
katherine says
Surprised at how good these are considering how quick and easy they are to make!
Would definitely recommend making these 🙂
kina says
These turned out great! I ended up overcooking the second tray by 2 minutes, but they still tasted great (just a bit in the crispier side). These kept well on the counter in a sealed jar for the whole week and never got hard. Also, a hit with my non-vegan family – they enjoyed the cookies even more than I did! Thanks so much for this recipe!
Amal says
I make these on a regular basis, and I just made these again. I love them! They’re simple, not too sweet, and full of flavor. I use extra virgin coconut oil, which is not neutral, but it goes perfectly with the other ingredients. The only thing I don’t like about these cookies, is that they’re hard to keep for myself!
Martine says
Thank you for this lovely post. I’ve been thinking a lot along the same lines lately, and am actually in the process of writing a post about it – but just trying to get my thoughts together. I’ll let you know when it’s up. These cookies reminded me of when I first fell in love baking – cooking Mrs. Field’s Snickerdoodles. It made me smile. Did you see 101 Cookbook’s post on saffron vanilla snickerdoodles (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/saffronvanilla-snickerdoodles-recipe.html)? It seems like the universe is telling me to make some cookies this weekend… or just reconnect with some of my first loves.
Kelly says
We made these the day I saw your post on my Google Reader, and YUM!
When I was home sick as a kid, I used to make Snickerdoodles with my late grandmother when I was brought to her house so she could watch me while my parents worked. Now I get to share your vegan Snifferdoodles with my kids – and these are better than other recipes I’ve tried to veganize.
They didn’t last long, but they brought back wonderful memories of my Granny! Thank you.
Rebekah says
There are so many things that I love about this time of year, particularly September when we are still getting local blueberries, peaches, and nectarines, but the winter squashes and apples are showing up at the same time! It is a time of such abundance!
But…this year in particular, I really agree that it is bittersweet. My kids are finishing up their second week back to school this week and I really feel their absence at home. Even with a busy toddler, our home is so quiet without the older brothers here. I don’t know why I didn’t feel it so intently in past years…perhaps because when my toddler was younger things were so busy with him that the quiet felt like a nice reprieve for me. But I just really miss my kids all day this time around…and when I pick them up from school and hear them say, “can I go to so-and-so’s house?” I want to scream, “No! I’ve been away from you all day and now it’s MY turn to hang out with you!” 😉
Ah well…glad to know I’m not the only mom with a little bit of the autumn blues…even though in many ways it is still my favorite season.
Janae @ Bring-Joy says
Dreena, I’m with you on the fall blues. Fall time is hard. I hate to see the sunshine & long days, the good times go. There *are* good things about fall & winter, but I much prefer sunny long days. It is hard to to figure out the balance of work/motherhood. I don’t think I’ve figured it out, but I do know that as much as I like to blog & connect with others, nothing is more important than moments with my kids. I just know they will be gone sooner than I’d like & I want no regrets.
Wish we lived closer. We need to go out to lunch & have a nice long chat. Sending lots of hugs your way.
The Cold Turkey Vegan says
Hang in there, busy Mama! I feel your pain. I haven’t blogged in over a month. The thoughts still come, but the process of getting them out has been hampered by other things going on in my personal and professional life. Luckily, your readers still hear from you on a regular basis – and I tell you, that is so valuable to us! I hope that your priorities allow you to continue to serve us out here who love your recipes and appreciate your advice and experiences. But no pressure! 🙂
mattheworbit says
They look delicious, and I haven’t even tried them yet. So now they’re on the list.
Hang in there – you’re fabulous, and I’ll keep reminding you!
Debby Sunshine says
These Snifferdoodles are the perfect back-to-school treat! Very creative, as always!
Tiffany says
Hi Dreena,
I always love reading your posts and your creativity is always appreciated 🙂
I want to make your pumpkin oat muffins but unfortunately I do not have pumpkin pie mix. I have 2 cups of pureed pumpkin in the fridge…can I use that instead? What do you suggest?
Thank you!
Dreena says
Tiffany, check out the Pumpkin Cake, p.211. It uses the pumpkin puree, not the mix, and is not an overly sweet cake, you can even reduce the sugar by few tbsps if you like – they will work well for muffins, rather than try to make the diff for the mix in the oat muffins. That’s one of my fave cakes out of all my books. 🙂
Tiffany says
Thank you Dreena! Great idea 🙂
Beth says
I most love to bake cookies, and it’s very relaxing. I’ll come home from a long day at work and get out stuff to bake cookies to wind down. These look like they will be perfect for just that!
Ricki says
Dreena, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been in that pensive place! I find end of summer hard, too, as that’s when my mum died. Every year toward the end of August, I start to feel a bit down and don’t quite know why. . . and then I remember. I think this type of thing is very cyclical. And I am SO with you on disliking the end of summer–even with no kids in my house! I just know it means colder weather is on the way, something I do not relish, to say the least. I think with these Snifferdoodles, though, my mood would perk up considerably. 😉 I do hope the thinking helps and that you work things out in a way that works for you! xo
Dreena says
Ricki, I appreciate your thoughts and perspective. We cannot pretend those emotions aren’t there, no matter what we do! Sorry you have a bit of a rough time this time of year as well. And, you have to endure far colder winters than we do on the ‘wet coast’, so I shouldn’t complain about the seasonal changes too too much. Thank you for the note. xo
Kim says
Just recently landed on your website and I love it! Your recipes are wonderful and I love the videos. Have made Snickerdoodles many times in the past but not since switching to a plant-based diet five years ago, so I can’t wait to make Snifferdoodles. I too hate to see the summer go, but I do love the fall here in New England. The fall to me feels like a new year, with the start of new school year. Just knowing how excited my two girls are to return to school makes me happy. Mine are much older, one a Sophomore in College and one working on her Masters degree. The house becomes so quiet with just my husband and I. Its hard for a bit, but then we fall into a rhythm. First one home from work makes dinner. The house stays clean and I have more time to pursue my hobbies, no guilt staying for an extra class at the gym either. Nothing more de-stressing than a hour of zumba followed by a hour of yoga after work. When I miss my girls I quick text puts me in touch with them. They are never without their smart phones. My mother passed away from cancer 6 years ago and I miss her very much. I find comfort in baking (reminds me of family) and reading cookbooks. I have a huge stack of cookbooks from the library and I can’t decide which of your two latest books to order from Amazon so will probably just order both. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
Dreena says
Hi Kim, welcome to my blog then! Life is about finding that rhythm, as you mentioned. Every season brings that change to adapt to. I’ve never done zumba!! I’ve heard so much about it, need to take in a class myself sometime. Right now I workout at home, but when life brings that space for me to break free a little more, I will have fun trying out these newer workouts! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and sweet words. 🙂 Hope you enjoy my recipes.
Melinda Winterwerb says
Dreena, I am a new follower and I want to say thanks for sharing a hard day it’s nice to know we are not alone in this world! Some dys all I can do is stress bake to get through haha! In the last 2 years I have buried my Father, my younger sister and had surgery for an anuerysm (hence why we are now eating vegan and trying to all stay healthy) yet each day holds new beauty in my 4 boys faces and when the days seem to hard to overcome I find comfort in feeding my brood little healthy treats I’ve baked with all my heart. Love your blog
Dreena says
Oh, thank you Melinda. What a heavy couple of years for you – I’m so sorry you’ve had all that to deal with in such a short time. Lovely that you are looking to your children for that spirit lift to work through the hard days. Wishing you good health and strength, and I appreciate your note. Best to you … and happy baking. 😉
Gena says
Love! And interestingly enough, I made snickerdoodles (not posted) earlier this weekend. Yours look significantly better than mine were 🙂
Dreena says
Thanks Gena… have a hunch yours were pretty darn spectacular too! xo
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says
When I saw the title “snifferdoodles” in LTEV I laughed. It always brings a smile to my face when kids get words incorrect. I find it to be a warm fuzzy memory when they get older. For example my oldest son, now 9, used to call pot holders “cook cooks.” It stuck and we use the phrase all the time (so do my parents).
I think the passing of a close relative (parent, grandparent, etc) is not something you ever really move past it just seems to be a little less raw. It is a positive thing to talk about your dad. My father-in-law passed away 5 years ago from cancer and my kids will ask questions about how he got sick and if he is in heaven (what is he doing while he is up there). I think for our family being able to share enough information, without overwhelming them, has been a healing move.
My mother-in-law now frequently talks about her deceased husband and it is a nice time for us to reflect back on him and laugh about the good times we had.
I hope that your mind will find rest and that some calm can come over you as the fall time approaches. The best to your girls as the school year kicks off and if nothing else keep creating delicious cookie recipes 🙂
Happy Thursday Dreena!
Dreena says
That’s a sweet memory of your son, Rachel. Those innocent moments make the harder days all worth it, don’t they? Sorry that you experienced that grief and difficult time with your father-in-law. Yes, absolutely – not as raw, but always with you. I’m sure your mother-in-law enjoys those chats and reflections with your family… children keep us young at heart.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and kindness. xo
Stephanie says
I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the Summer to Fall change and it is so nice to know that someone else feels the same way! My little girl started Kindergarten this year and I am filled with a multitude of thoughts/emotions with this transition. It is all about the letting go and leaving room for new things to grow. So, allow the feelings to come as they please and keep doing what makes you feel good! Baking has always been my stress reliever and I have really enjoyed your latest creations, so a big hug and thank you, Dreena!
Dreena says
Stephanie, I think as women we are far more sensitive to these changes and emotions than are men. Kindergarten is definitely a tough transition. Our youngest starts preschool this year, and even though it’s just 2 days a week, I’m not ready for it. Ahhh, the things we work through as moms and as women. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I wish you the best with the fall transition as well. 🙂
Marissa says
Snifferdoodles! That is too adorable. When I’m reflecting inward, cooking is one of the only things that can hold my attention. It’s meditative in a way that I’ve yet to find elsewhere, except with pottery work I did in college. What I create is not as important as how I create it. I put all my love and attention into the food and plate it in a creative way, even if I’m the only one eating it. I hope those snifferdoodle ice cream sandwiches calmed your busy mind!
Dreena says
Marissa, I love what you say here “What I create is not as important as how I create it.”… yes, so much of our cooking is in the thought and intention behind it. Not just the final product. Thank you for this note, that is a quote to remember.