Snickerdoodles are a unique and beloved cookie, often associated with the holiday season but deserving of year-round enjoyment. This keto snickerdoodle recipe offers a low-carb twist on the classic treat, delivering a soft, chewy texture and that signature cinnamon-sugar coating.
Why Keto Snickerdoodles?
For those following a ketogenic diet, traditional snickerdoodles are off-limits due to their high sugar and carbohydrate content. This recipe provides a delicious alternative that aligns with keto principles, allowing you to indulge in a favorite cookie without derailing your dietary goals. These cookies typically contain just 2.2 total carbs or 1.1 net carbs per cookie.
Key Ingredients and Their Roles
To create a keto-friendly snickerdoodle, several substitutions are made to the traditional recipe:
Almond Flour: This gluten-free flour forms the base of the cookie, providing a slightly nutty flavor and tender crumb. Honeyville Almond Flour is an excellent choice. Blanched fine almond flour is recommended for a light and fluffy texture, closely mimicking that of regular flour.
Coconut Flour: Often used in combination with almond flour, coconut flour adds structure and helps to absorb excess moisture. The combination of almond and coconut flours helps to achieve the best texture.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Sweetener: Instead of sugar, keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit, or a blend of Swerve and Splenda are used. Erythritol is a popular choice, offering a good level of sweetness without a strong aftertaste. The amount of sweetener can be adjusted to taste, with 1/3 cup of erythritol often preferred over the traditional 3/4 cup to lessen any cooling effect.
Xanthan Gum: This ingredient acts as a binder, helping the cookies hold their shape and preventing them from becoming too flat. It's a life-saver when making low-carb sweets.
Cinnamon: The star of the snickerdoodle, cinnamon provides warmth and spice.
Cream of Tartar: While optional, cream of tartar contributes to the cookies' signature tang and chewy texture. You can have the cream of tartar on the keto diet if your macros allow it.
Coconut Oil: Used as a source of fat in the dough. Melted coconut oil is typically used.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Maple Syrup: Homemade maple syrup is used for flavor.
Recipe: Keto Snickerdoodle Cookies
This recipe is designed to be simple and straightforward, even for novice bakers. It makes a small batch, which is perfect for controlling portions and enjoying a fresh treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups Almond flour
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- 1/2 cup + 2 Tbl. Swerve sweetener* (*Or 1/4 cup each of Swerve and Splenda)
- 6 Tbl. Softened butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp . Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 Cup Melted Coconut Oil
- 1/4 Cup Homemade Maple Syrup
- 1 Tbsp. Vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
- 2 Tbsp. Cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine 2 Cups Honeyville Almond Flour, 1/4 tsp. Salt, and 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together coconut oil, homemade maple syrup, vanilla, and stevia.
- Optional Nuts: If using macadamia nuts, crush them in a food processor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a dough is formed. Do not over mix, the butter will get too warm and the cookies will fall flat.
- Cinnamon Coating: In a small metal ramekin, combine 2 Tbsp. Cinnamon and 2 Tbsp. Erythritol (or other keto-friendly sweetener).
- Shape and Coat: Roll dough into balls, dip into the cinnamon mixture, and then lay them onto a silicone silpat.
- Bake: Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them to firm up and prevents them from crumbling.
Tips for Success:
- Measure Almond Flour Correctly: When measuring almond flour, scoop it plainly into a cup from the bag.
- Cream Butter Well: Cream your butter very well until it’s light and fluffy. Since we’re using sugar alcohols rather than sugar, it won’t get quite as fluffy or smooth… but!
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough for 10-15 minutes before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much and contribute to a better texture.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener to your liking.
- Experiment with Texture: If you prefer a flatter, slightly chewy cookie, tap the pan on the counter when the cookies are removed from the oven.
Troubleshooting:
- Cookies are too flat:
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated.
- Refrigerate the dough for a longer period.
- Avoid overmixing the dough.
- Make sure your butter was not too soft or melted.
- Cookies are spreading too much: Some erythritol brands are behaving like real cookies, so I suggest you guys do a trial with one cookie to get the perfect texture!
- Dough is too dry: Add a teaspoon of water or almond milk at a time until the dough comes together.
- Dough is too wet: Add a tablespoon of almond flour at a time until the dough reaches the desired consistency.
Variations:
- Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts into the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar coating for a more complex flavor profile.
- Chocolate Chips: For a chocolatey twist, add sugar-free chocolate chips to the dough.
- Use different sweeteners: Personally, I reach for erythritol! I find it sweetens the cookies nicely and doesn't have a strong of a sweetener taste like some. But you can use other granulated sweeteners, you prefer.
Serving and Storage:
These keto snickerdoodles are perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days or frozen for up to three months. Allow your cookies to fully cool down, and then place them in an airtight container or sealable bag.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
tags: #keto #snickerdoodle #cookies #recipe