Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies with the perfect cinnamon sugar coating, these are the perfect amount of chewy for your nostalgic snickerdoodle memories.
We love classic cookie flavors on the site include Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and my personal favorite cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies. This is the best Snickerdoodle Cookie recipe ever!
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodle Cookies are the ultimate classic cookie. Like a sugar cookie with a tang (thanks to the cream of tartar) and then of course there is the delicious cinnamon sugar that the cookies are rolled in before baking. The cookies may not with the award for the prettiest on your Christmas Cookie Exchange plate, but they will certainly be one of the first to disappear!
What is the difference between Sugar Cookies and Snickerdoodles?
Cream of Tartar is used in snickerdoodles and it is actually the key difference between sugar cookies and snickerdoodles. Cream of tartar inhibits sugar crystallization which creates the chewier, puffier and softer texture of the snickerdoodle cookie and is a non negotiable ingredient in this recipe.
Because we have the cinnamon sugar flavor on the outside and the additional tang of flavor that comes from the cream of tartar you don’t actually need to add any vanilla extract to this recipe. It would just muddle the flavors of the cookie. As always I suggest the first time you make this recipe you follow the recipe as written, the next time you make it you can experiment with vanilla extract, or even use a bit of ground nutmeg, some white chocolate chips, or any other mix-ins you want to add to these classic snickerdoodles.’
Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches
One of my favorite things to do with this recipe? Make an ice cream sandwich with two cookies using my homemade Vanilla Ice Cream in the middle. If you are going to make a batch of ice cream sandwiches the best way to ensure even sizing is to make your cookies even using a cookie scoop. Then use the same sized cookie scoop to scoop the ice cream into the cookies and freeze the ice cream sandwiches. Sometimes I like to do two small scoops of vanilla ice cream (one on each cookie before sandwiching) and sprinkle some of that cinnamon sugar on the ice cream before sandwiching. Also, use coarse sugar for a crunch in the middle too.
If you love snickerdoodles another recipe that is really similar you may also love would be my Brown Sugar Cookies which also are like chewy snickerdoodles but they have a more caramel-like flavor than these buttery cookies, the difference of course being they’re primarily made with brown sugar while these are made with only white sugar.
HOW LONG WILL snickerdoodle COOKIES KEEP?
Snickerdoodles will last in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. Store them with a sheet of parchment paper between each layer, to keep the cinnamon sugar from becoming moist and becoming more like a paste and sticking together.
WHY ARE MY snickerdoodle COOKIES HARD?
- If your snickerdoodles turned out too hard it means you’ve over-baked them. There should be a chewy texture to these cookies, so try baking them for 1-2 minutes less.
- If you’re sure that you’re baking them for the right amount of time according to the sugar cookie recipe, try using an oven-safe thermometer to double check the baking temperature. Sometimes an oven can cook higher or lower than the set temperature, and you can change it up or down to compensate.
- Make sure you’re not over-mixing the dough, especially if you are using a stand mixer where it can be easy to do so.
HOW DO I KNOW IF snickerdoodles ARE DONE?
Watch Snickerdoodles closely because the cinnamon sugar mixture they are rolled in will give the illusion of browning. Since you won’t be able to see the color of the cookie as clearly watch for the shiny color in the middle of the cookie. When it looks slightly set, immediately remove as we are looking for these cookies to stay chewy.
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CAN I FREEZE snickerdoodles?
This snickerdoodle recipe is perfect for making ahead of time and freezing, which is especially helpful if you’re making early Christmas cookies! If you freeze the cookies already baked be sure to wrap them in plastic wrap then in foil when freezing. This way your Christmas cookies won’t lose any of their delicious chewy texture.
If you’re just freezing the cookie dough, roll the balls in the cinnamon and sugar before freezing them on a baking sheet. Then place the frozen dough balls in a ziplock bag and remove as much air as possible. Defrost in the refrigerator the night before you want to bake, then follow the cooking instructions.
WHY DID MY snickerdoodles SPREAD too much?
If your cookies are spreading too much, there’s a good chance that the cookies have too much butter or granulated sugar. Make sure you’re measuring your ingredients exactly. Try using a knife to level your baking cups when you’re scooping sugar.
TIPS FOR MAKING snickerdoodle COOKIES
- I like to use unsalted butter to make cookies so I can decide how much salt to add. If you do use salted butter, omit the teaspoon of salt from the recipe.
- Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking when baked.
- Any leftover dough you have can be frozen, then defrosted and re-rolled when you’re ready to bake.
- Be sure to only mix the dry ingredients in until just combined to prevent overmixing.
- Use a cooling rack/wire rack to cool the cookies completely.
- Make sure your baking soda and cream of tartar are fresh.
- Do not swap pother ingredients like baking powder for your baking soda or cream of tartar.
- Make sure your cookie dough balls are rolled well in the cinnamon sugar but don’t let them get too warm before baking. If they get too warm refrigerate them for 30 minutes before baking.
MORE COOKIE RECIPES
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 3/4 cup sugar divided
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a stand mixer whisk the butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar on high speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs and whisk until fully combined.
- Add in the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt and turn on low until just combined.
- In a small bowl add the last 1/4 cup of sugar and cinnamon and stir until combined.
- Scoop one tablespoon of cookie dough into the cinnamon and sugar and roll it around.
Bake 2 inches apart for 6-8 minutes, until the edges have just barely started to brown.
I have made several of your recipes over the past year and every one has been awesome. However, these snickerdoodles were amazing! My husband said these were the best cookies he has ever tasted. My son, who typically isn’t a snickerdoodle fan loved them as well. So thank you once again for another delish recipe that was sure to not disappoint.
I’m happy to know you’re loving all of the recipes. Thanks for the 5 stars, Elena.
I Am in the U.K.
Please can you tell me what temperature the oven should be set at
To cook the Snickerdoddle cookies?
The recipe is great but I do not want to waste anything if I over cook the super
Doddles!
Yours
Liz
So sorry I’m just now seeing this. You’ll want to bake them at 400 degrees. I hope you enjoy them.
Amazing recipe. Loved these cookies.
Thanks for sharing .
You’re welcome. Thanks so much for coming back to let me know.
Love snickerdoodles!! I definitely need to make these more often.
They’re so good!
There’s nothing better than a perfect snickerdoodle cookie!!!
So delicious, soft, and easy! These are so good!
So glad you loved them.
Total cookie perfection right here!
So good! These are my favorite!
So glad you loved them, Rachael!
Snickerdoodles are my favorite! I love them more than chocolate cookies and this recipe looks so easy!
They’re such a winner! Thanks for the 5 stars.