These are the best soft and chewy Snickerdoodle cookies with perfectly crispy edges. The recipe is super easy and doesn’t require dough chilling. Make a double batch as they disappear very quickly!
If you would ask me about my favorite cookies, I would definitely tell you; Snickerdoodles! They have a delicious sugar/cinnamon crisp outside, while staying soft and chewy inside.
While snickerdoodles are mostly popular during the Holiday season, I love baking them all year around! The same with my other favorite cookies, like , Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies, Donut Cookies, Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe, Brownie Cookies, Apricot Rugelach, Danish Butter Cookies Recipe, Pistachio Cookies, and many others.
Why this recipe works
Here is what makes these cookies the best:
- Creaming butter and sugar before adding any other ingredients insures the soft and buttery texture. This step is important for any cookie recipe!
- Cream of tartar helps the dough rise and makes the cookies thick and airy. It also provides the classic tangy flavor.
- The right amount of sugar/cinnamon mixture creates the perfect aromatic crispy edges.
- The high temperature bakes snickerdoodle fast and creates crunchy “shell”. Plus, it helps not to spread the cookies too much.
Why to use Cream of Tartar
Many people ask if it is necessary to use Cream of Tartar in Snickerdoodles Cookies recipe, or if this ingredient can be substituted. Both answers will be, yes. Here is a brief explanation of how Cream of Tartar works and how you can either use or replace it with other ingredients.
If you already read my post about “Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder”, you probably remember that baking soda is a base ingredient that requires some acid to activate. Cream of Tartar contains acid that helps baking soda activate. Together they create carbon dioxide, which allows your cookies to rise.
Because we don’t use any other acid ingredients to activate baking soda in this recipe (like lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt, sour cream), Cream of Tartar does a great job to help to make your Snickerdoodles soft and fluffy.
Also, this ingredient provides a classic tangy flavor that makes these cookies for popular!
How to make them without Cream of Tartar
However, if you don’t have this ingredient in your pantry, you can easily substitute it with adding some lemon juice. The proportion should be 2:1 (2 teaspoons of lemon juice per 1 teaspoon of baking soda). In this recipe, we are using 1 teaspoon of baking soda. So, if you don’t have Cream of Tartar, you can add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. The final results will be quite similar but you won’t have the same flavor.
How to make it
Preheat your oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat and set it aside.
In a mixing bowl mix all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt (Photos 1-4).
In a separate large mixing bowl, using a mixer or a spatula, cream the butter and sugar together until light and airy (Photos 5-8).
NOTE: Creaming butter and sugar is important step that helps the snickerdoodle cookies to be light and soft.
Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix it together until well combined (Photos 9-11).
Add dry ingredients to the mixture and fold it in until well combined (Photos 12-13).
Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set it aside (Photos 14-16).
Using a 1 ½ tablespoon size ice cream scoop or a regular tablespoon, scoop the dough into the balls and roll them around in the cinnamon/sugar mixture to coat (Photo 17).
Put the cookies on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart and bake at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes.
Cool the cookies on a baking sheet for 10 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack.
Tips for best results
Cream Butter and Sugar! Always cream these two ingredients until light and fluffy. That will make your cookies super soft.
Fold Dry Ingredients. While I use a mixer to mix wet ingredients, I prefer to FOLD dry ingredients into the wet. The main reason is you don’t want to overmix the dough, otherwise it will be tough. When you fold manually you can better feel the dough texture and won’t need to mix too much.
Don’t overbake the cookies! When the cookies are done, they will have golden edges on the sides, but will still look under baked in the middle. Just take the out and let them sit on the baking sheet for another 10 minutes. They will continue to bake and set. If you overbake them, they will be tough and dry.
FREQUANTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
You can put the cookies in an air tight container and they will stay fresh for 1 week.
Yes! Wrap the cookie dough in a plastic wrap and foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, place it on the counter for 30-40 minutes to soften. Then scoop, roll into cinnamon/sugar mixture, and bake.
Did you make this recipe?!? I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!
Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredients for Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar:
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl mix all-purpose flour, cream of tartar,baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, using a mixer or a spatula,cream the butter and sugar together until light and airy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix it together until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients to the mixture and fold it in until well combined.
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set it aside.
- Using a 1 ½ tablespoon size ice cream scoop or a regular tablespoon, scoop the dough into the balls and roll them around in the cinnamon/sugar mixture to coat.
- Put the cookies on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart and bake at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes.
- Cool the cookies on a baking sheet for 10 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in 2017, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, tips, and FAQs in Feb of 2020.
It’s midnight central time in the Midwest. Had to make my first snickerdoodle cookies! I purposely halved this recipe. Worked perfectly! The cookies look identical to the blog pictures! They are cooling now. They smell so good. I got 12 puffy pillows of cinnamon sugar goodness to have with my morning coffee in the AM. Thanks 🙂
Thank you so much, Emmi! Midnight is the perfect time to bake some cookies 😉
Oooh, I love snickerdoodle flavors in everything! Your recipe is so easy to make and I plan to make it all year round!
Ever since I was a little girl snickerdoodles were one of my favorite cookies! I love how soft and chewy these turn out. Thank you so much!
So simple to make, yes. Thanks for your explanation on the cream of tartar. Sometimes I forget all about the chemical process.
Snickerdoodles are one of my very favorite cookies, if only because of their name, lol. I love the idea of making the cookie dough, roll it into balls and freezing to bake off later!
Soft and full of cinnamony goodness! One of my favorite cookies and your recipe was super easy to make.
Simple , quick and easy and sounds perfect for a snack box or Tea time treat option.
These snickerdoodles are such a great classic cookie experience that is a favorite here in our house. Very easy to make too.
I have never tried to make a Snickerdoodles cookies, but that recipe looks delicious and easy. Thank you!
Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies ever! They are just so perfect for Christmas!
The classic cookie is always a hit. Perfect for the holiday treat tray. Great all year long.
They turned out absolutely perfect! I was pretty nervous because when you say something like, “When you fold manually you can better feel the dough texture and won’t need to mix too much” I have no idea what you mean! I am a very new dessert baker and that sentence really meant nothing to me. How exactly is the dough supposed to feel? I’m glad I went ahead anyway without knowing because it was super easy and the end result delicious.
Should step 4.5 be “refrigerate dough for xx minutes”? You mention refrigeration in the history and how to but not in the actual recipe.
No, you don’t need to refrigerate the dough.
Hey Veronika, just wanted to let you know that in the bit where you talked about substituting lemon juice for cream of tartar you say that the recipe calls for half a tsp of baking soda when it’s actually a full tsp!
Also, for anyone who is trying to make this recipe vegan, I used 1/4 cup of apple sauce per egg and it worked super well.
Thanks for the recipe!
Hi I was wondering what you subbed for the butter bc I tried vegetable oil and it didn’t taste right? Thank you
Hi Veronika
Once made, what is the shelf life for snickerdoodles?
Hi Doreen! I usually keep them in a tight container. You easily can keep them for about a week, but I bet they will be gone before that!)
I love snickerdoodles! We always put a cherry in the center. And as a kid, I would just eat the cherry part, hah. I need to make some as an adult!
Thank you, Ashley! I love your idea with cherry) I should try it)
That looks like the prettiest and yummiest snickerdoodles to me!! These are my fave and love them with a cup of tea!!
Thank you, Manila!
This is a classic that will never grow old. I really enjoy the taste of cinnamon and so does the rest of the family. Baking weather is here — yay!
Thank you, Marisa)
These cookies look so good and chewy! I gotta make a batch ASAP!
Thank you, Andrea)
Soft and chewy cookies are always a hit with me and my family. Making these for sure.
Thank you, Deepika)
Soft and chewy cookies are my favorite cookies. Snickerdoodles are one of those classic favorites, and I love the cinnamon and sugar combo.
Thank you, Joanna!
YEA! My kids are going to LOVE THESE! I love making fun treats to add to their lunches as an extra surprise 🙂 Great recipe!!
Thank you, Kaitie! I am sure they will love these cookies)
I usually always make snickerdoodle cookies during Christmas holidays.. just like my mom use too. Loved when my mom made it.
Thank you, Veena) I agree, they are perfect for the holiday season)
These look so perfect! I love snickerdoodles – they remind me of holidays and good times. The smell alone takes me back!
Thank you, Kylee!
I remember making Snickerdoodles once for a Christmas cookie exchange. They are easy and delicious…the disappeared quickly.
Thank you, Gloria) They are really easy to make!
I have been meaning to make snickerdoodles some time. Most probably I will try to make this for Christmas. 🙂
Thank you, Helene! You will love them)
I love snickerdoodles, they are one of my favorite cookies. Not only do they taste great, but they smell great too.
Thank you, Val)