A couple of weeks ago, a Facebook follower suggested that I come up with a recipe for snickerdoodles. The kiddo loves snickerdoodles, too. But, I realized I hadn’t made them in a long time. And, I’d never really come up with a go-to recipe for them. So, it sounded like the perfect challenge.

Never one to take the easy route, I decided that these particular snickerdoodles should be grain-free & vegan, too. Oh, and it’d be great if they could be refined sugar free, right?

Well, after 5 batches of cookies, I’ve learned a thing or two.

Number one: a snickerdoodle without white sugar is not a snickerdoodle.

That doesn’t mean that it’s not a good cookie. But, come on. A snickerdoodle is all about tasting the cream of tarter and the cinnamon. Make it with palm sugar and you taste, well, the caramel flavor of the palm sugar. Harumph.

Number two: Honeyville blanched almond flour really does make a difference. I knew this already. But, generally speaking, I prefer the skin-on almond meal. It has more flavor. But, in a snickerdoodle, you’re not going for nutty flavor. You’re going for snickerdoodle flavor. Skip the skins. Go for blanched.

Number three: Earth Balance soy-free spread yields a softer, chewier, flatter cookie than organic palm shortening. I’m partial to the soft & chewy cookie, but I know that others prefer the crisp, fat cookie. Your call.

So, today, you get a three-fer, just by changing up a few ingredients: a traditional soft & chewy snickerdoodle, a traditional crisp and puffy snickerdoodle, or a natural, nutty, not so snickerdoodle.

Traditional crisp snickerdoodle on the left, natural nutty chewy cinnamon cookie on the right

Snickerdoodles & Cinnamon Stackers

grain-free, vegan, refined sugar-free option

1 t. psyllium powder
3 T. unsweetened cold almond milk
1/4 cup (48 g) organic palm shortening + 1/2 cup (56 g) Earth Balance soy-free spread * OR 1/2 cup (96 g) organic palm shortening
2/3 cup white sugar * OR 2/3 cup palm sugar
2 cups (200 g) Honeyville blanched almond flour * or 2 cups (200 g) almond meal
1/4 cup (28 g) arrowroot starch
1 t. cream of tarter
1/2 t. baking soda
1/8 t. salt

1 T. cinnamon
2 T. sugar

Preheat oven to 400°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small cup, mix the psyllium powder with the almond milk. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the fat(s) until light and fluffy. Add the sugar. Beat until creamy. Add the psyllium & almond milk mixture. Beat well. Add the almond flour, arrowroot starch, cream of tarter, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Dough will be somewhat soft.

Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Scoop out chunks of dough. Roll into balls. Roll the balls in the cinnamon and sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cookies flatten somewhat and cinnamon coating is cracked. Cool completely.

* Note: I’ve starred the combinations that I like best. All of the combinations work. Feel free to experiment and try it yourself. I have NOT tried with all Earth Balance. Nor have I tried with white sugar and almond meal. I would imagine that with all Earth Balance, you’d need more flour or less fat. With white sugar and almond meal, the proportions above should work.