Most people who know C.J. through real estate probably do not know that she is also a skilled baker who genuinely loves making things that tempt me.

We have a rule at home.

We can splurge a little, but then the rest has to be shared.

That's why some of her best baking ends up finding its way to friends, family, clients, and open houses.

At our recent open house, she made one of her favorite recipes.

Snickerdoodles.

Nothing elaborate.

Just warm cookies, fresh from the oven, and something simple to offer people as they walked through the door.

It reminded us of something we have learned over the years.

Real estate may involve contracts, pricing, inspections, financing, and negotiation.

But at its core, it is still a people business.

People make better decisions when they feel comfortable enough to ask questions.

They share more when the conversation feels natural.

They tell you what they really think about a home, what concerns them, what they are hoping to find, and what may be holding them back.

That kind of conversation matters.

For a seller, it can provide valuable insight into how buyers are responding to the property.

For a buyer, it can become the beginning of a relationship with someone who takes the time to listen before offering advice.

And sometimes, something as fun as a warm cookie helps create that moment.

C.J. says Snickerdoodle's are easy to make, popular, and one of her favorites.  I could eat a dozen.

So we thought we would share the recipie.

C.J.’s Snickerdoodles

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer. 

In another bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, soda, and salt. Slowly combine dry ingredients with the wet.

Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.  Mix the remaining 2 Tbsp. sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll the balls of dough in the mixture.

Place on cookie sheets. Bake 8–10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.

Real estate is still a people business.

And some of the best conversations really do start with a cookie.

Preparation. Positioning. Negotiation. Results.