I tried using my bf’s 50 mm lens for these photos. I’m a complete newbie when it comes to this stuff; I just flip a switch here, flip a switch there, press a button, and snap a picture. I mess with the camera a little bit more and take another. I repeat this process about 60 times and cross my fingers that one of the photos turns out well. I told you, I’m a newbie. That’s what I do.
I used to hate this lens at first because I had to stand so far from the cookie to take the picture. I like to get up close and personal, but this lens would never take a good picture that close. The manual focus also threw me off. Now, I’ve fallen in love with this lens. Look at that focus, the blurred background, the way it makes an object look.. just dreamy! I know I still have to work on getting a very clear photo, but I’m more than happy to work with this lens some more in the future.
Let’s take a break from those cupcakes, shall we? Here, we have some maple snickerdoodles. I’ve had a love affair with snickerdoodles ever since I was in the second grade. Let me explain…
In second grade, I never cared for anything but climbing fences, playing red rover, and chasing boys (to kick them, of course). I was oblivious to boys liking girls, girls liking boys, or that whole other world where crushes existed. I didn’t care for boys.. I only cared for them when it was their birthday and they brought in cupcakes or cake to share with the whole class (Why didn’t we do this in middle school/high school?). Is that selfish? Maybe not for a 7 year old.
One day, a boy brought in Mrs. Field’s cookies to share with the whole class for his birthday. Since my mom never baked, I wasn’t really familiar with cookies or any dessert, really. I chose a snickerdoodle out of the box and took a bite. I, till this day, remember taking my first bite of a snickerdoodle. It was soft, chewy, and melted in my mouth. This was also probably my first time eating cinnamon because there aren’t too many Vietnamese dishes that use cinnamon (I grew up with a nanny that only cooked Vietnamese food) and my dad hates cinnamon, so it was never in the household. This boy asked me how my cookie was and I couldn’t stop raving about it. I kept telling him how much I wish I had another since one was just not satisfying.
The next day, he handed me a huge white box. I opened it up to see a dozen of Mrs. Field’s snickerdoodles. I repeat… a dozen. The box was lined with wax paper and had snickerdoodle on top of snickerdoodle. I just about died in heaven and ate the entire box by the end of the day. Looking back on it now, I realized he probably maybe possibly might’ve just had a teeny tiny itty bitty crush on me. Maybe. It took me until the sixth grade to figure that out– when he actually told me flat out that he’s liked me for years. I guess the presents-for-no-reason makes sense now. I just always thought he was a nice boy. I’m so oblivious, sometimes. But I’m still curious.. how the heck would a second grader be able to go out and buy a box of Mrs. Field’s cookies? Thank you, boy’s mom!
What is it with snickerdoodles and boys, anyways? Every boy (and child) that I know loves snickerdoodles! It’s the way to a man’s heart– I just know it. Why do you think I’ve been trying to perfect it for so long? The better the snickerdoodle, the better the boy. Hahah. Now I’m talking crazy talk. You’ll have to excuse me.
This is a snickerdoodle with a twist, adapted from The Busty Baker. I just added cream of tartar (because a snickerdoodle is not a snickerdoodle without cream of tartar) and rolled it in cinnamon and sugar rather than just cinnamon. Make sure to use good quality maple syrup! None of that Aunt Jemima garbage. These cookies will come out fluffy and soft with a crackly top.
- 2 cups AP flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup salted butter (or you can use unsalted and add about 1/4 tsp salt)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tblsp real maple syrup
- 1 egg
- 2 parts sugar to 1 part cinnamon
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cream of tartar, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the maple syrup and egg until combined. Add dry ingredients. Beat until just mixed.
- Refrigerate dough for at least an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Roll each ball in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Arrange balls on cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Bake until tops are crackly, about 9-12 minutes. Remove from oven and leave cookies on sheets to cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
I’m going to be honest. I’ve never had a snickerdoodle. I just might have to try that recipe, though. Very adorable story. 🙂
i’ve tried this recipe already and love it! my mom is from asia and wasn’t introduced to an oven until she was about 25 so everything i’ve learned to bake has pretty much been self-taught. snickerdoodles are easy and that’s probably why i learned them somewhere in the beginning–and why i love them so much now!
sidenote, though. gimme a stack of pancakes and i will not allow maple syrup anywhere near it. it’s aunt jemima allllll the way with me! i HATE maple syrup on anything, except when baked into cookies or scones in relatively small quantities. hm.. i guess there’s something wrong with me :/
could i possibly make them without the cinnamon? they look delicious but i’m afraid my tastes are similar to your dad’s!
I made some a while back, but they were cakey-yours look great!
They look wonderful. It’s been too long since I’ve had snickerdoodles. The maple flavor adds a nice twist.
I LOVE THIS POST! Your story had me grinning ear to ear. What a sweet boy. so adorable!!
And… you’re right! every guy I know says that his favorite cookies are snickerdoodles! interestingggg
There’s a bakery here in Vancouver that sandwiches maple buttercream between two huge snickerdoodle cookies. this kind of rolls those flavours together into one cookie!
great story – what ever happened to that boy? Have you heard from him since the sixth grade?
ha this describes me…a total guessing game when it comes to taking pictures. i’m dying to learn some tricks though..so tired of being rejected by foodgawker 🙂
Looks at the snickerdoodles and drools I adore those. Next to chocolate chip they are my favorites 🙂
Love the photos (great lens!), but I must say I love the lil story even more. So sweet and adorable 🙂
Hey Kim! I’m really enjoying reading your blog….just made the White Chocolate Macadamia cookies which were delish! They didn’t really spread at all so that was a bit interesting but very good texture/flavour.
I would love to see a “Top 10 favourite cookies list” of your favourite cookie recipes…it might narrow down my search on the days where I just can’t decide what to bake!
Hey, new follower here!
I like your blog, because:
1) I’M A GIANT FOODIE. I love food. I swear to god I do.
2) I like reading about career choice “struggles”. I’m just finishing graduating high school (tomorrow’s my last day!) and am SO CONFUSED about what to do next year. Nice to know we all have similar-ish problems, haha!
ANYWAYS, JUST DROPPING SOME SUGA-AH!
Love the story!I can just imagine you eating all those snickerdoodles at school 🙂
You are so right! My husband LOVES snickerdoodles! Seriously, they’re right up there with chocolate chip cookies for him. Sometimes even above them! I mean, I like snickerdoodles, too, but I sure don’t love them as much as he does. I’ll have to try these out! 😀
hi! Stumbled across your blog via livejournal and I love your journal entries because your hobbies are similar to mine! scrapbooking and baking. (: I love combining the 2 hobbies into gifts for my friends and family and you’re a great inspiration! I really hope you’ll set up a world famous bakery someday soon. cheers!
I’m the same as you with cameras – just clicking away and not adjusting things haha. These photos look great with that new lens though! I looove snickerdoodles (and what a sweet story!) Haven’t tried them made with maple syrup before.
What an adorable story! since it’s almost valentines day, I’m going head over heels for cute lovey-dovey stories like this. Thanks for sharing!