Almond-Butter Snickerdoodles

Is there anything better than the warm aroma of cinnamon wafting through the air, especially when it means something scrumptious is about to be pulled out of the oven? Just knowing that there are cookies baking is comforting but the scent of cinnamon is particularly satisfying. It's no wonder realtors bake cookies before an open house. Unlike traditional snickerdoodle recipes, this one uses less fattening ingredients and whole wheat flours. Not to mention the numerous health benefits cinnamon possesses: anti clotting, anti microbial, blood sugar control, fiber, and ancient warming qualities according to WH Foods. Also, for all the men reading this, the scent of cinnamon may be linked to "increased penile blood flow" (Don't worry, this link isn't spam. Promise.)

But really, who cares about all of that? Because cinnamon tastes wonderful and the word snickerdoodle is fun to say. All those health touts are all just convenient excuses to bake this mouth-watering snickerdoodle recipe.

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Warm and sweet with a complex flavor profile thanks to the tangy-ness of the cream cheese and lemon, which also adds a delightful freshness. While the almond flavor isn't dominant, it definitely adds a warm nuttiness alongside the cinnamon.
Texture: These cookies are slightly crisp around the edges but chewy in the middle.

Ease: The recipe is easy to follow although it does dirty multiple dishes.
Appearance: These cookies have a winsome crinkled appearance due to the cinnamon sugar coating.
Pros: Easy to make, whole wheat, lower in fat. You don't have to use almond butter, you can use other nut butters like peanut.
Cons: None.
Would I make this again? I've already used this recipe twice.

Almond-Butter Snickerdoodles
Yield: 2 dozen
From Cooking Light May 2010

• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1/3  cup  (about 3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4  cup  unsalted butter, softened
• 2  tablespoons  smooth almond butter
• 1  teaspoon  grated lemon rind
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 2  large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 4.75  ounces  white whole-wheat flour (about 1 cup)
• 1.5  ounces  whole-wheat flour (about 1/3 cup)
• 1  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 2  tablespoons  granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats.
2. Place the first 4 ingredients (brown sugar, cream cheese, butter, almond butter) in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at high speed until well combined (about 2 minutes). Add 1 teaspoon lemon rind, vanilla extract, and egg yolks; beat until well blended.
4. For most accurate measurement, weigh flours with a digital kitchen scale. If you don't have one, lightly scoop flour into measuring cup and level with a knife. Combine flours, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt using a whisk. Add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat at low speed until well combined. Combine the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon and granulated sugar in a small bowl. Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, roll rounds of dough in cinnamon sugar then drop dough onto prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 6 minutes; flatten cookies with the back of a spatula. Bake an additional 6 minutes. Cool on pans 1 minute. Remove from pans, and cool on wire racks.