Description

Craving a warm, spiced cookie with a delightful crackly top? What if you could bake seven dozen bite-sized cookies bursting with cinnamon, nutmeg, and citrus zest in just 25 minutes of active time? Cinnamon Crackle Cookies, with 23 reviews, are your answer—perfect for holiday trays, bake sales, or cozy snacks

Ingredients

Here’s the lineup for 7 dozen cookies. Each ingredient plays a key role, with swaps for flexibility.

Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds rich flavor and tenderness. Sub: Vegan butter or all shortening (use 1 cup total).
Shortening (1/2 cup): Ensures crisp texture and stability. Sub: Vegan shortening or all butter (use 1 cup total).
Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and creates crackly coating. Sub: Coconut sugar or 3/4 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons maple syrup.
Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Adds caramel-like depth. Sub: Coconut sugar or additional white sugar.
Large egg (1, room temperature): Binds dough. Sub: Flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) for vegan.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances warmth. Sub: Maple extract or omit.
Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds subtle nutty notes. Sub: More vanilla or omit.
All-purpose flour (2-1/2 cups): Provides structure. Sub: Gluten-free flour blend or 1-1/4 cups whole wheat + 1-1/4 cups all-purpose.
Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): Delivers bold, warm flavor. Sub: Pumpkin pie spice.
Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Works with cream of tartar for lift. Sub: No substitute; critical for texture.
Cream of tartar (2 teaspoons): Adds tang and stabilizes texture. Sub: 1 teaspoon lemon juice or omit (may affect texture).
Ground nutmeg (2 teaspoons): Enhances spiced profile. Sub: Ground ginger or mace.
Grated orange zest (2 teaspoons): Adds bright citrus notes. Sub: Lemon zest or omit.
Grated lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Complements orange zest. Sub: Orange zest or omit.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness. Sub: Kosher salt or reduce to 1/4 teaspoon.
Additional sugar: For rolling; creates crackly top. Sub: Cinnamon-sugar mix or coarse sugar.

These ingredients are pantry staples, creating a wholesome, festive treat.

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Instructions

Ready to start? You’ll need baking sheets, mixing bowls, and an oven. These steps are simple, with tips for success.

Preheat oven and prep: Preheat to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment or leave ungreased. Place additional sugar in a small bowl for rolling. Tip: Parchment ensures easy cleanup; use about 1/4 cup sugar for rolling.
Cream wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup shortening, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar with a mixer or whisk until light and fluffy (5-7 minutes). Beat in 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Tip: Room-temperature ingredients ensure a smooth dough.
Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk 2-1/2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 2 teaspoons nutmeg, 2 teaspoons orange zest, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Tip: Zest citrus finely to avoid bitterness; sift flour if clumpy.
Mix dough: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Tip: Don’t overmix to keep cookies tender; dough will be soft.
Shape cookies: Shape dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 teaspoon each). Roll each ball in additional sugar to coat. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Tip: Use a small cookie scoop for uniform size; don’t flatten balls.
Bake: Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned and crackly on top. Tip: Bake one sheet at a time for even browning; 10-12 minutes yields softer cookies.
Cool: Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Tip: Move carefully to keep crackly tops intact.