Classic Snickerdoodles Recipe

Snickerdoodles are a soft and chewy cookie with a sweet and spicy cinnamon sugar coating. They’re easy to make with this simple recipe!

close up of Snickerdoodle cookies, with a cinnamon sugar coating.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

At first glance, snickerdoodle cookies don’t seem all that exciting. They are a pretty basic cookie made up of the same butter, flour, and sugar as many other cookies. But I promise, once you’ve tasted a snickerdoodle, you will get it!!

At least that was my experience!

I tried my first snickerdoodle cookie right after I moved to Texas. I usually go straight for chocolate chip, but I’d heard good things about them so I decided to take the plunge at our local bakery.

Oh. My. Gosh.

Hiding beneath that seemingly innocent golden brown exterior was a soft, pillowy cookie that just melted in my mouth! And then there was that sweet sugar and zippy cinnamon! It was heavenly and I was hooked!

These snickerdoodle cookies are both buttery and sugary with just a pinch of vanilla with a tangy finishing taste from the cream of tartar. The cookie dough is full of rich cinnamon flavors after being rolled in a cinnamon and sugar mixture. This process gives each cookie a sweet taste while maintaining its soft and chewy texture.

If you haven’t tried one, this is a must make recipe! A classic Snickerdoodle that will be one of your go-to cookie recipes again and again!

Related: For a healthy cinnamon sugar treat, try our Chickpea Snickerdoodle Blondies!

What is a Snickerdoodle?

Snickerdoodles are a classic cookie recipe made with a butter and flour dough, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked until just golden brown.

They’re a tad chewy on the outside and deliciously light and fluffy on the inside. It’s a perfect contrast of textures and what snickerdoodle cookies are known for, in addition to that sweet cinnamon sugar coating!

What is the Difference Between Sugar Cookies and Snickerdoodles?

Snickerdoodles are often described as sugar cookies, but that doesn’t quite do them justice!

At their core, snickerdoodle cookies use many of the same ingredients as sugar cookies. However, there are a few key things that set them apart from plain sugar cookies.

The most obvious difference is the cinnamon sugar coating. Sugar cookies are usually rolled or sprinkled with white sugar. Snickerdoodles

A second crucial difference is that snickerdoodle cookie batter is made with cream of tartar, which adds that signature chewy texture.

close up of snickerdoodle cookie in hand

Ingredients

Affiliate links provided for your convenience in re-creating this recipe; read disclosure policy here.

For the Cookies:

  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt

For the Coating:

  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Sugar

Kitchen Tools Used:

Instructions

To Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl at a ratio of 4 parts sugar to 1 part cinnamon.

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. Add eggs and vanilla and mix.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar and whisk together. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing as you add.
  3. Make balls of dough and roll them in cinnamon sugar mixture. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes – 1 hour, if you have time.
  4. Place the dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until they just start to turn golden brown.
4 step photo collage showing how to make snickerdoodle cookies.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool and enjoy!

Video Demo:

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I Don’t Have Cream of Tartar?

Have you ever gathered all your ingredients for a recipe, only to realize you’re missing one key thing?

Perhaps you’ve got a hankering for some sweet snickerdoodles, but then you realize there’s no cream of tartar in the pantry! Now you’re wondering, can I still make snickerdoodles without cream of tartar?

The good news is that yes, you can still make snickerdoodle cookies without cream of tartar. Simply omit the baking soda as well and instead use 2 teaspoons of baking powder in place of the cream of tartar AND baking soda.

There may be some who could tell a difference between the original and the substitute version, but the difference is subtle and you’ll still have a delicious and fluffy cinnamon sugar cookie!

Can I Make Snickerdoodle Cookies Gluten Free?

Sure! Nowadays it’s pretty easy to make a gluten free version of your favorite cookies by swapping out regular all-purpose flour with gluten free all-purpose flour.

You’ll just want to make sure to check labels on the other ingredients used to confirm that they’re processed without cross-contamination from gluten products – if that is a concern.

snickerdoodle cookie coated in cinnamon sugar

More Classic Cookie Recipes To Try:

Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)

If you like this recipe, please rate it! We’d also love to hear what you think in the comments below!

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox.ย Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Save Post

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Soccer Mom Blog

close up of Snickerdoodle cookies, with a cinnamon sugar coating.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Classic Snickerdoodles Recipe

Snickerdoodles are a soft and chewy cookie with a sweet and spicy cinnamon sugar coating. They're easy to make with this simple recipe!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Kids
Keyword: Cashew Butter Cookies, cinnamon, Snickerdoodle, sugar cookies
Servings: 24 Cookies
Calories: 170kcal
Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Stand mixer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Cookie sheet
  • Silicone baking mat
  • Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

For the Cookies

For the Coating

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix one tablespoon of ground cinnamon and 4 tablespoons of sugar together and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs and vanilla and continue mixing on low speed.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar.
  • Slowly add the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients, mixing as you go.
  • Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portionn out a heaping spoonful of dough. Roll dough into a ball and place into the bowl of cinnamon and sugar mixture.
  • Gently roll the dough balls in a small bowl of cinnamon sugar, then place onto the prepared baking sheet. If you have time, chill the dough for 30 minutes – 1 hour before baking.
  • Bake at 350ยฐF for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool on wire rack.

Video

Notes

Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.
Prep Tips:
  • Cream of Tartar Substitution – If you don’t have cream of tartar, omit the baking soda from recipe and instead use 2 teaspoons of baking powder in place of the cream of tartar AND baking soda.
  • Gluten Free Variation – To make these cookies gluten free, use all-purpose gluten free flour instead of regular flour.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 155mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 228IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Pin our Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe on Pinterest:

Classic Snickerdoodles Pinterest Image.

More of our favorite cookie recipes:

If you love the candy bar, then you've got to try this amazing recipe for Twix Cookies!ย Chocolate-dipped and caramel-filled and SO delicious!

Twix Cookies

Chewy Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Latest posts by Stacey aka the Soccer Mom (see all)

Share this post:

Similar Posts

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating