These are a traditional snicker doodle made healthy. If you are making a traditional snicker doodle, your recipe has cream of tartar in it - that the big difference between a snicker doodle and a sugar cookie.
This recipe also uses whole wheat flour. The cookie holds up really well to it, and isn't heavy and stays light and crumbly. They aren't overly pumpkin flavored, and I made mine a tiny bit spicier, because I like them that way.
They were gobbled up so fast, and I even told the kids that these were "good for you" cookies and it didn't slow them down a bit.
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
7 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
For Rolling:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a medium, microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Let cool slightly, then briskly whisk in the granulated sugar and brown sugar, until no brown sugar lumps remain. Whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and all spice.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients all at once. With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir by hand, just until the flour disappears. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then let chill for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat mats. In a shallow dish or bowl, stir together the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon for rolling.
With a cookie scoop or spoon, portion the dough by 1 1/2 tablespoons and roll into balls. Roll the dough in the cinnamon and sugar mixture to coat, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten the balls slightly (the cookies only spread a little bit as they bake).
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are barely golden (the cookies will look underdone). Place the baking sheets on a wire rack and let cool 10 minutes, then remove the cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely.
