Feels Like Home
They are known by many names…Nana, G-Ma, Grammy, Granny…and most people have had at least one in their life. That person who embodies everything that is “home.” The one whom the mere thought of brings back the innocence of childhood – warm summer nights chasing lightening bugs (fireflies) after dinner, taking turns cranking the handle of the ice cream maker out on the porch, drinking from the water hose, playing hide and seek for hours. For me, that person is Mamo.
Like many women of her generation, the early years of her marriage and young motherhood were framed by World War II. She was strong, with a quiet dignity and determination. Never one to relish the spot light, she always put her husband and her four children first. She also had a great sense of humor and fun – more understated then the rest of our rambunctious family, but I still remember her soft chuckle at the telling of an unexpected joke…a combination of joy at making us laugh and embarrassment about…well…making us laugh.
I’m sure my love of cooking began with Mamo. Her pantry was always full of the fruits and vegetables she canned from her garden, and rarely was there a day when there wasn’t something cooking on the stove or baking in the oven. When we all gathered at my grandparents’ house for a holiday or reunion, the table was covered with a feast…Mamo was always worried we would run out of food. She would wait until everyone else had filled their plate, then she would get her food and stand in the kitchen to eat, out of the limelight but within earshot in case someone needed something.
I loved watching at the holidays when all the cooks were in and out of the kitchen, with Mamo flitting from one dish to another overseeing her sous chefs, making sure everything was just so. But she always took the time to show me how something was done or answer my questions about the food.
Baking desserts was one of the things Mamo really loved…I think our family’s collective sweet tooth came from her side of the gene pool! Pies, cakes, cookies, banana pudding…you never knew what it would be, but you always knew there would be something (sometimes two or three somethings). Visitors would grab a plate, a cup of coffee or tall glass of sweet iced tea and settle in for a gab session at the kitchen table or enjoy a beautiful afternoon out on the front porch.
Probably more than any other aroma, the smell of cinnamon takes me back to those days in Mamo’s kitchen. It reminds me of her famous (at least in our family) Sock-It-To-Me cake, which she brought to almost every get-together; and of her holiday Snickerdoodle cookies, always my favorite. The sweet, spicy fragrance evokes holiday gatherings, laughter coming from every room, kids dipping their tiny hands in the cookie jar when they thought no one was looking, and simple moments with Mamo sharing her love of baking.
Snickerdoodles are a great cookie to make with your family because they are quick and easy, and they are delicious! Kids love rolling the dough balls in the sugar mixture, and they don’t have to flatten them on the baking sheet like you do with some sugar cookies. They can be fluffy and soft (my preference), or crunchy depending on how long you bake them. But keep an eye on them when they come out of the oven and on to the cooling rack…the warm, spicy smell of cinnamon will bring your family running into the kitchen and reaching for those cookies!
I hope you love this recipe, and that it brings memories to your kitchen that make you Snicker(doodle) too!
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Michele
Making Mamo’s Snickerdoodles:
Mamo's Snickerdoodles
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Butter or Margarine Softened
- 1/2 Cup Shortening
- 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 2 3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 3 tbsp Sugar
- 3 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
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Heat oven to 400 degrees.
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Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and eggs.
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In separate bowl, mix together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
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Slowly mix dry ingredients into butter mixture until thoroughly blended.
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Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls.
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Mix together 3 tbsp sugar and 3 tsp cinnamon. Roll dough balls in mixture.
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Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
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Bake 8 to 10 minutes, depending on preference for softness. Remove immediately to rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.
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reading thes nice articles or reviews.
Thank you!
These look really good. I love how sentimental they are for you as well.
Thank you for checking them out Kat!
My son loves snickerdoodle, will be baking these for him soon.
I hope you enjoy them Evelyn!
Those look so yummy!
Thank you Heidi.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, my boys are always excited about making desserts together, well give these a try!
Thank you Hannah. I hope you enjoy them!
I had a Grandma and a Nana and In loved them both with all my heart. But I’ve never had a snickerdoodle, ha. That will be changing soon.
I hope you enjoy them Lorna!
I loved reading this story! I always love reading stories about grandparents, there is just something so special about them! I will definitely have to try these sometime, cause they look delicious!
Thanks Eileen. I think capturing those memories before we are gone is a great thing! And so are Snickerdoodles!
I just love the story of your Mamo! She reminds me of my grandma, who was always cooking and baking something. And this recipe is next level!
Thank you Tina. I’m glad you enjoyed it…and hope you will try the cookies!
I love the story of your Mamo. I am a Nana to a 4 year old granddaughter, and I am sure more will follow soon. I have wonderful memories of my grandma, and work in a labor of love to ensure my granddaughter has wonderful memories of her time with me. When she had just turned 3 she looked up and told me that she liked me. I told her I liked her too. She then smiled and said, that means we are best friends Nana. Oohh. She is everything good in the world, and I love her so much! We love Snickerdoodles and cooking together too! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jennifer! That grandmother bond is so special in my life, and I know your grandkids will feel the same way!
This was beautiful to read. And this recipe looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you Christa. I hope you enjoy them!
Oh, I love a good snickerdoodle!! Craving some with a glass of milk right now!
I hear ya! That light, fluffy cooking with all that cinnamon! It screams for cold milk!
My mom always makes the snicker doodles, I’ll have to compare her recipe to your Mamo’s and try your version. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Katie. I hope you enjoy them!
Mmmmm Snickerdoodles are great comfort food!
Nothing like cinnamon to bring everyone into the kitchen!
Love snickerdoodle, it is one of the comforting cookies!
You just can’t beat cinnamon!
This makes me think of my sweet grandmas. I loved making my grandma’s sweet rolls with her. It is fun to have such great memories of loved ones. Thanks for making me remember!
Thank you Stephanie. Remembering those times is the best thing to pass down to my kids!
Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies! Seeing these brings back so many memories. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Thank you for reading my story!
Awe, Your Mamo reminds me of my sweet grandma. I like to eat snickerdoodles cookies when they are warm with a glass of milk.
Warm is the best time to eat them!
Oooooh I have everything for this except the Cream of Tartar. I need to go shopping.
LOL! Hope you enjoy them Catherine!
I have a recent love of snickerdoodles! I haven’t made them yet!
Very easy to make and so yummy! Give them a try!
I forgot how much I love snickerdoodles, until just recently when I whipped some up after years. I’ll be trying your recipe! I’m always willing to try new and find my favorite! YUMM!
I hope you enjoy them Jocelyn!
My mom used to make snickerdoodles. The house would smell so good! Your picture at the top is mouthwatering. I may need to make these before school starts up again!
I hope you enjoy them Stacey!
Snicker(doodle)!!! LOVE THAT! Personal story with a great recipe! Great combo!
Thanks for the read Laura!
Wondering how this recipe would work with gluten-free flour! I would love to take a stab at it and let you know how it works out!
Please do! I am always looking for ways to change up my recipes to fit different dietary restrictions!
I love snickerdoodles! They make the house smell so good!
Yes they do! Nothing like the smell of cinnamon!
MMMMM! Love Snickerdoodles! I tend to bake the most around the holidays. It is usually just me at home so making a batch of cookies could be dangerous to my waist, haha! Thanks for the recipe will try this over my holiday baking!
I hear ya Nikki! Now that it’s usually just my husband and I at home I don’t get nearly as much baking opportunity (that doesn’t involve me eating it all!).
I adore snickerdoodles. In fact, I just made some snickerdoodle bars last night and they are already half gone!
I would love to try those!
These sound delicious and what a wonderful way to make a memory!
Thanks Samantha. I hope you give them a try.
Your Mamo sounds awesome, thanks for sharing her recipe!
Thank you Eileen.
We love snickerdoodles – my daughter made them for her first year 4-H project and did well with them, so they have become her signature cookie!
My family comes running when they smell the cinnamon!