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Snickerdoodle Pie

Snickerdoodle Pie

I am a big fan of snickerdoodles, the classic American sugar cookies rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture. Not only to I like the original cookies, but I’ve used the idea to make a few spinoffs, including Snickerdoodle French Toast and Snickerdoodle Scones. So, when I was flipping through my files of recipes clipped from magazines and newspapers and noticed that I had saved one for Snickerdoodle Pie from an old issue of Better Homes & Gardens (not sure what issue, possibly in 2008), I immediately put it on the “must-try” list.

The pie is one that should have a very wide appeal, with the look and flavor of a snickerdoodle in pie form. I think it’s actually better than the cookies themselves, although one could argue that it’s not quite as easy to munch on as a cookie would be. It consists of a vanilla-flavored top layer that is a cross between a cookie and a cake. This layer has a cinnamon overlay that gives the pie the look of an actual snickerdoodle cookie. Underneath the cookie layer, there is a thin caramel layer that adds a lot of moisture and flavor to the cake, with notes of both caramel, cinnamon and browned butter. It really takes the pie from good to great. Of course, there is also a crisp pie crust at the bottom holding the whole thing together.

The pie is easy to make, with a method that is similar to that of a pudding cake. First, the cookie layer is poured into an unbaked pie crust. Then, the pie is topped with a sweet, syrup mixture. It is put into the oven and the layers meld together, then separate into caramel and cookie as the pie bakes. You can use a homemade pie crust for this recipe or a storebought one for this pie.

Serve the pie warm – either warm from the oven or reheated in the microwave – so that the caramel layer is oozing and juicy. The pie is great on its own and also goes well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Snickerdoodle Pie

Snickerdoodle Pie
adapted slightly from Better Homes and Gardens
Crust
1 9-inch pie crust (unbaked, rolled into a pie pan)
2 tsp butter, melted
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon

 

Filling
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature and divided
3 tbsp water
2 tbsp corn syrup
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract, divided
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350F.
Prepare the pie crust by brushing the inside of the crust with melted butter. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Pour into pie plate and turn to coat the entire inside of the crust with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Set aside.
Prepare the filling.
In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, water, corn syrup and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once sugar has dissolved, boil the syrup for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together remaining 1/4 cup butter, sugar and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in baking powder, cream of tartar and salt. Beat in egg and remaining 1 tsp vanilla extract, followed by the milk. When mixture is smooth, blend in the flour, mixing only until no streaks of flour remain visible.
Pour flour mixture into prepared pie crust. Pour syrup over the cookie mixture. Do not mix. Carefully transfer pie to the oven.
Bake for about 45 minutes, until pie is browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

Serves 10.

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23 Comments
  • Nutmeg Nanny
    November 6, 2009

    Ok this is AMAZING! I will totally make this into little tarts for the boyfriend and I. I can’t wait to try it:)

  • marina mott
    November 6, 2009

    Seems so good!

  • Baking Monster
    November 6, 2009

    anything snickerddodle goes on my list of things to make!looks great!

  • Cheryl
    November 7, 2009

    I’m drooling over here! Can’t wait to try this recipe! I can only hope it comes out as pretty as yours!

  • Caley
    November 7, 2009

    This sounds INCREDIBLE! I want to try it so much!!

  • Kelsey/TheNaptimeChef
    November 7, 2009

    This is definitely one of the best cookie-to-pie translations EVER!

  • Melody
    November 7, 2009

    I made this today for a friend’s birthday, and it was perfect! All the guests marveled at how delicious it was, especially with your suggestion of vanilla ice cream.

  • Jeniffer
    November 8, 2009

    I’ve never even heard of a snickerdoodle until reading your post, but I’ll have to make that pie for our next family lunch… looks great 🙂

  • pasangikchin
    November 8, 2009

    Yeah it is an awesome friends recipe which is very useful for my new friend happy birthday party.

  • Kay
    November 8, 2009

    Hi Nicole,

    I was wondering if I could substitute the corn syrup for a different ingredient — maybe honey or agave nectar?

  • cookingprincess
    November 8, 2009

    Yum! My fiance and I just enjoyed the first two slices. Excellent! I think I will make this along with pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

  • Jason Barrett
    November 8, 2009

    I love snickerdoodles! Blue Bell Ice cream makes a Snickerdoodle Ice Cream that would be so good with this!

  • Jen B
    November 9, 2009

    I could soooo go for a piece of that! Yum!

  • CakeSpy
    November 9, 2009

    This is awesome. I think I may have to try this one very soon–a beautiful combination!

  • suzi
    November 9, 2009

    Oh man, I love me some snickerdoodles, and I’ve always been a pie-lover. I’ll definitely have to give this a try. Looks fantastic!

  • Ashley
    November 12, 2009

    Yum I love all versions of snickerdoodle things! This pie looks really good.

  • Adria
    November 21, 2009

    I tried this today. I am not much of pie baker, but I feel this turned out good. I made 4 individual pies, and they look so cute!! (my blog has pictures.)
    I am have not tasted it yet, but I am sure it is delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!!

  • canyoutrustthem
    May 6, 2010

    that’s look delicious .. i want it..

  • The pie is one that should have a very wide appeal, with the look and flavor of a snickerdoodle in pie form.

  • Veronica
    August 18, 2010

    I love that YOU love snickerdoodles. I’m one of those people who does actually refer to them as my favorite cookie, so your many adaptations of them have me baking up a storm!

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