The Best Snickerdoodle Recipe: Soft, Cinnamon-Sugar Magic!

Soft, pillowy snickerdoodle memories dance through my kitchen every time I bake this magical recipe.

Childhood whispers of cinnamon and sugar swirl around my mixing bowl like sweet memories.

My grandma’s secret technique always made these cookies legendary among neighborhood gatherings.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a perfect balance that makes people smile instantly.

A classic cookie deserves respect, and this version honors traditional baking with unexpected delicate touches.

Warm spices and simple ingredients combine to create something truly remarkable.

Baking these cookies will make you the hero of any gathering.

Tips to Keep Your Cookies Soft and Chewy

• Cream Butter Perfectly: Ensure butter and shortening are at room temperature for smooth, even mixing that creates a light, fluffy texture in your cookies.
• Prevent Dry Cookies: Don't overmix the dough or overbake; remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers look slightly underdone to maintain soft, chewy perfection.
• Consistent Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform 1½-inch balls, ensuring even baking and consistent texture across all snickerdoodles.
• Maximize Cinnamon Flavor: Roll cookies generously in cinnamon-sugar mixture, pressing gently to help the coating stick and create a delicious, crispy exterior.
• Storage Hack: Place a slice of bread in the airtight container to keep cookies soft and fresh for up to 5 days, preventing them from drying out.

Snickerdoodle Storage Without Sogginess

• Seal freshly baked snickerdoodles in an airtight container to maintain their soft, chewy texture.
• Keep cookies at room temperature for optimal taste and prevent them from drying out.
• Place a slice of bread inside the container to help retain moisture and keep cookies perfectly soft for several days.
• Freeze extra cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, where they'll stay delicious for up to 3 months.
• When ready to enjoy frozen cookies, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to restore their original texture and flavor.

Best Companions for a Snickerdoodle Treat

• Pair with Warm Milk Bliss: Classic snickerdoodles taste heavenly when dunked into a cold glass of whole milk, creating a nostalgic comfort that brings out the cookies' sweet cinnamon notes.
• Elevate with Spiced Chai Latte: The warm, aromatic spices in chai perfectly complement the cinnamon-sugar coating, offering a sophisticated and cozy drinking experience that enhances the cookie's flavor profile.
• Coffee Companion Delight: Robust medium-roast coffee cuts through the sweetness of snickerdoodles, providing a balanced and rich contrast that makes each bite more enjoyable.
• Hot Cocoa Indulgence: Rich, creamy hot chocolate creates a luxurious pairing that amplifies the cookie's warmth and brings out deeper cinnamon undertones, making it a perfect winter treat.

Variations on This Cookie Classic

• Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodles: Add semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough before rolling in cinnamon-sugar for a rich, decadent upgrade.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for extra texture and a subtle nutty flavor profile.
• Spiced Autumn Snickerdoodles: Incorporate ground nutmeg and a pinch of ginger to the cinnamon-sugar coating for a warm, seasonal touch.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Cookies: Create a cream cheese filling and gently swirl it into the center of each cookie before baking for a luxurious, tangy surprise.

Snickerdoodle Questions, Quickly Answered

• What makes snickerdoodles different from sugar cookies?

Snickerdoodles are unique because they use cream of tartar, which gives them a tangy flavor and soft, crackly texture. Unlike regular sugar cookies, they’re always rolled in cinnamon-sugar before baking, creating their signature crackled look and warm, spicy taste.

• Why do I need cream of tartar in this recipe?

Cream of tartar is crucial for snickerdoodles. It provides a slight tanginess, helps create the classic soft and chewy texture, and contributes to the cookies’ signature crackled surface. Without it, the cookies would taste more like plain sugar cookies.

• Can I use only butter instead of butter and shortening?

While you can use all butter, using a combination of butter and shortening helps create a more tender, soft cookie. Butter provides flavor, and shortening helps maintain the cookies’ shape and creates a softer texture. If you only use butter, the cookies might spread more and be slightly less tender.

• How do I know when the snickerdoodles are perfectly baked?

Look for slightly golden edges and a soft center. The cookies should look set but not completely firm. They’ll continue cooking slightly on the baking sheet after removing from the oven, so don’t overbake.

Why This Snickerdoodle Recipe Is a Cinnamon Dream

• Speedy Sweet Treat: Whip up these snickerdoodles in just 30 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for sudden cookie cravings or last-minute dessert needs.
• Foolproof Family Fun: This recipe is super beginner-friendly, requiring basic baking skills and simple ingredients that even kids can help mix and roll, creating delightful family baking memories.
• Crowd-Pleasing Classic: These soft, cinnamon-sugar coated cookies are universally loved, making them ideal for potlucks, school events, holiday gatherings, or casual weekend treats that everyone will enjoy.
• Versatile Comfort Companion: Serve these warm cookies with milk, coffee, or hot cocoa for a comforting snack that works perfectly as an after-school treat, dessert, or midnight indulgence.

Snickerdoodle Staples You’ll Need on Hand

• Butter, Shortening: Provide rich, tender texture and help cookies spread evenly
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to soft, chewy texture

• Flour: Provides structure for the cookie
• Cream of Tartar: Gives traditional tangy snickerdoodle flavor and helps cookies crack
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, tender crumb
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness

• Cinnamon, Sugar: Create signature sweet and spicy snickerdoodle exterior
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to cookie flavor

Note: Choose unsalted butter for better flavor control. Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly. Use fresh spices for most robust cinnamon taste. All-purpose flour works best for consistent texture.

Baking Directions for Perfect Snickerdoodles

Step 1: Ignite the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Grab a baking sheet and give it a quick protective layer with parchment paper or a light brush of grease.

Step 2: Craft the Magical Dough

• Softened butter
• Shortening
• Granulated sugar

Whip these together until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. This should take about two minutes of passionate mixing.

Introduce eggs and vanilla extract, blending until silky smooth.

• All-purpose flour
• Cream of tartar
• Baking soda
• Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a tender dough that whispers sweet promises of deliciousness.

Step 3: Shape and Sparkle

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Roll the dough into charming little balls, about 1½ inches in diameter. Give each ball a luxurious roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring a complete and glorious coating.

Arrange these sugary gems on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Watch the magic happen for 9-11 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are set but centers that remain delightfully soft.

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for cooling.

Step 5: Indulge and Share

These cookies are heavenly when served warm. Pair with a cold glass of milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or a mug of hot cocoa.

If you manage to resist eating them all at once, store in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and fabulous for up to 5 days – but let’s be honest, they probably won’t last that long!

The Best Snickerdoodle Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Snickerdoodle cookies bring classic comfort with their crisp edges and tender centers, dusted in cinnamon-sugar magic. Warm memories of grandma’s kitchen melt together with each buttery, sweet bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup shortening
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

Flavoring and Leavening Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Coating Ingredients:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F (190°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or applying a light grease coating.
2. Create a creamy base by thoroughly blending butter, shortening, and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, which typically takes around 2 minutes.
3. Introduce eggs and vanilla extract to the creamy mixture, stirring until the texture becomes uniformly smooth.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt, whisking the dry ingredients until well integrated.
5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to form a soft, cohesive dough.
6. Craft a cinnamon-sugar coating by mixing sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, ensuring even distribution of the spice.
7. Shape the dough into uniform balls approximately 1½ inches in diameter, then thoroughly coat each ball in the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for proper spreading during baking.
9. Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, watching for golden edges while maintaining soft centers.
10. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize their structure.
11. Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to complete the cooling process.
12. Serve the snickerdoodles warm, accompanied by milk, coffee, or hot cocoa for an indulgent treat.
13. Store any remaining cookies in an airtight container, where they will maintain freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Ensure butter and shortening are at room temperature for smooth, even mixing that creates a perfectly creamy base.
• Use fresh cream of tartar for the most authentic tangy Snickerdoodle flavor that sets these cookies apart from regular sugar cookies.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies – stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined for tender, soft results.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same delightful texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 154
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg