Recipe: Holiday Sprinkled Snickerdoodles

We don't do a lot of desserts here, but once in a while it's okay to indulge, and our philosophy is, it's better to indulge in something home-made, when you know what's in it. Snickerdoodles are always a favorite at holiday parties, and with this simple recipe you can be sure to please even the pickiest co-worker palate at your office Christmas party.

Holiday Sprinkled Snickerdoodles
(Makes about 2 dozen.)

Snickerdoodles ready to bake. (Photo credit: wEnDaLicious)

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp red sugar sprinkles
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon, divided
2 Tbsp green sugar sprinkles
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup all-natural shortening
1/2 cup organic butter, softened (homemade butter is really easy to make, and much cheaper than buying it, especially organic - we'll feature instructions in a future post soon!)
2 eggs from pastured chickens
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prepare the sprinkles:  Get out 2 shallow bowls. In one put the red sugar sprinkles and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon, in the other put the green sugar sprinkles and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Mix the sprinkles and cinnamon together; set aside. 
3. Prepare the dough:  In large bowl, put the sugar, shortening, butter, and eggs and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
5. With electric mixer running on low, slowly add the flour mixture until incorporated and a dough forms.
6. Using a melon baller or teaspoon, shape balls out of the dough, about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter.
7. Roll the balls of dough through the sugar sprinkle mixtures, some in each, combinations of colors, or as you like.
8. Place the dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, keeping about 2 inches between each one.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
10. Remove and let cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then remove to a cooling rack.
11. Let cool completely before storing in an air-tight container.

Make Your Holidays Tasty: