Best Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

The best soft and chewy Snickerdoodle recipe ever! With their iconic cinnamon sugar coating, they take a classic sugar cookie to the next level.

Need more cookie recipes to make? You will love these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies or these Snowball Cookies and this Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe is a great twist on an all-time favorite!

Easy Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodles have been a favorite of mine my whole life. This recipe has the perfect amount of crisp on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. The cinnamon and sugar together on the outside makes it the ultimate classic snickerdoodle cookie.

Great for any occasion or just weekend baking, these cookies can be whipped up in no time. They require simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, making them great for a last-minute treat!

Ingredients

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this easy recipe. Scroll down to the full recipe card with amounts.

• Butter: Unsalted butter is best to use in my opinion for extra buttery flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
• Brown Sugar: Adds extra richness.
• Egg: Let eggs and butter come to room temperature before using. Usually letting them sit out for 30 minutes prior is enough.
• Vanilla Extract: Be sure to use pure vanilla extract and not imitation.
• All-Purpose Flour: Substitute ½ cup of all purpose flour for ½ cup of whole wheat flour or make them gluten free using a gluten free flour like Bob’s Red Mill One-to-One flour.
• Baking Soda: Allows the cookies to puff up and become light and soft.
• Cream of Tartar: Gives the distinctive tangy flavor they are famous for.
• Salt:
• For the Topping: Granulated Sugar and Cinnamon. Add a pinch of nutmeg

How to Make Snickerdoodles

Step 1 –In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer for about 4 minutes until fluffy.

Step 2 – Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you blend.

Step 3 – In a separate medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt.

Step 4 – Pour the dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Step 5 – Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.

Step 6 – Preheat oven to 350° F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, if desired.

Step 7 – In a small bowl, mix the sugar with the cinnamon for the topping

Step 8 – Roll the dough into balls. Use a cookie scoop to make the cookies equal sizes, roughly 1 ½ tablespoons of dough.

Step 9 – Then roll the cookie dough balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture and place on the cookie sheet at least 2 inches apart. (I like to roll them twice!)

Step 10 –Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just light golden in color. They need to be super soft so check them carefully. Remove them from the oven and leave the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely

Tips

• Be sure to not use too much flour, use the spoon and level method or a kitchen scale when measuring for best results.
• Check the date on your baking soda to make sure it is still fresh so the cookies rise correctly.
• Avoid over-mixing the dough as it can lead to dense cookies.
• If the dough is too sticky while rolling, place it back in refrigerator for a few minutes to chill again.
• Press the balls down in the center before placing in the oven for a flatter cookie.

Storing Leftover Snickerdoodles

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days or in the refrigerator for a week.

Freeze: Allow cookies to cool completely, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. You can also freeze the dough before you roll the dough ball in cinnamon sugar to use for future recipes for up to 2 months. I like to flash freeze them for about 20 minutes on a baking sheet before putting them in bags.

Baking from frozen: Place frozen dough balls on baking sheet then bake as directed but add an additional 1-2 minutes to cooking time.

Why do my cookies spread too much?

Over-spreading can result from too soft butter or an overly warm dough. Ensure your butter is at room temperature and the dough is chilled before baking.

Is cream of tartar necessary?

Cream of tartar in Snickerdoodles Cookies gives it their signature tangy taste and soft texture. If you don’t have it, the cookies will still be delicious, but they may not have that classic soft and chewy Snickerdoodles feel.

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