News-Record.com

Somehow the copy desk got started talking about snickerdoodles the other day, when one of our editors started wondering how the cookie got its name. "Hey Mel, blog about that, would ya?" Holly, your wish is my command.

Unfortunately, the origins of the snickerdoodle are kind of murky. Some say that the recipe is a New England creation.

"According to the Food Lover’s Companion (Sharon Tyler Herbst, 2001, New York: Barrons), the term Snickerdoodle originates in 19th century New England and its name has no particular meaning or purpose."

Others think they are a creation of the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Apparently they are a fairly recent creation; you won't find any recipes for snickerdoodles in 18th- or 19th century cookbooks. In fact, according to FoodTimeline.org, the first recipe for snickerdoodles was printed in a church cookbook printed in the 1920s:

"Snickerdoodles. 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 egg, 1 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 cup currants. Put into a large square tin and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon before baking."

---Tried and True Recipes, published for the Benefit of the First Congregational Church, Wilmette, ILL. By the East End Circle Woman's Guild [1920s?--no date on the book]

However, there are many recipes for cookies with snickerdoodle-like ingredients dating all the way back to Roman times, many made with currants (like raisins) or sweet spices, nuts and dried fruits.

Conclusion? A cookie with any other name is probably just as sweet.

Recipes
Simple sugar variation
Pa. Dutch variation