As twinkling lights begin to glow across the rooftops of Santa’s Village and sleigh bells start their annual tune-up, one cookie rises above the rest to mark the culmination of holiday cheer: the legendary St. Nickerdoodle.
Spiced with love, sugar, and a sprinkle of North Pole magic, these soft, buttery cookies are a holiday staple passed down through generations of elves — and they’ve earned their place as Cookie #12 in our festive countdown.
🎅 Cookie Spotlight: St. Nickerdoodles
Backstory:
Believed to be adapted from a cinnamon-sugar cookie recipe gifted to Santa himself by Mrs. Claus’s great-grandmother, the St. Nickerdoodle has long been the official “Welcome Home” cookie for the Big Guy after his Christmas Eve flight.
Each batch is made with cinnamon warmth, a hint of nutmeg, and the most tender crumb imaginable. No fancy frosting or toppings needed — just a golden-brown hug in cookie form.
🧝 Elf Commentary (Snick Snackleberry): “Baking these every December reminds us all why we do what we do. It’s like the spirit of Christmas baked into a bite.”
📝 Recipe: St. Nickerdoodles
Yields: ~30 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 10 minutes
✨ Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
🍽 Instructions:
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add eggs and vanilla; mix until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Gradually add to wet ingredients and mix until dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help the dough firm up.
- Roll & Coat: Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls and roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake: Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, or until edges are set and tops crackle. Let cool 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
🛷 Elf Tip:
For an extra festive twist, add a dash of clove to the dough or sprinkle the tops with edible glitter for a shimmer that shines like Santa’s sleigh rails.
💫 A Final Word from Tinsel:
It’s been a joyous ride through the oven doors of the North Pole with these 12 magical cookies. From gooey chocolate centers to peppermint crunches and cinnamon dreams, each one tells a story of holiday spirit and sweet traditions.
Stay warm, keep baking, and remember — the best kind of gift is one you can share (especially if it’s made with butter and joy).
