Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles - The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe! (2024)

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Soft, buttery, and chewy, these is the Best Snickerdoodle Recipe you’ll find! No one will be able to resist these classic cookies and they’re super easy to make too.

If you’re looking for more easy cookie recipes that always receive rave reviews, try these kitchen sink cookies or these monster cookies. They’ll be a hit with kids and adults alike!

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles - The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Snickerdoodle Recipe
  • What Are Snickerdoodles?
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • How to Make Snickerdoodles
  • Tips for Success
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to Store Snickerdoodles
  • Can I Freeze Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough?
  • More Snickerdoodle Recipes
  • Get the Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Snickerdoodle Recipe

Calling this snickerdoodle recipe “the best” is a bold claim, I know. But, I have developed and tested these cookies so many times over the course of so many years, and I think they’re worthy of the title! Here’s why:

  • Soft and chewy. These snickerdoodle cookies are super soft, with just a tiny bit of golden brown crispness to them on the bottom. Words cannot describe how perfect the texture is!
  • Cozy and comforting. If you’re having a bad day, these sweet cinnamon-sugar cookies are the best pick-me-up! (And they’ll make your kitchen smell fantastic, which is always a bonus.)
  • So quick and easy. It only takes 15 minutes total to prepare and bake these cookies. That’s it!
  • Great for all occasions. Need an easy dessert for a bake sale? Or another option for your Christmas cookie platter? These snickerdoodle cookies are just the thing in both cases!

(Also, should you need more cookie recipes for the holidays in particular, check out these easy butter cookies or these Linzer cookies!)

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles - The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe! (2)

What Are Snickerdoodles?

Snickerdoodle cookies are similar to sugar cookies, but technically they are not the same thing. What’s the biggest difference? Cream of tartar. This little known ingredient prevents the cookies from developing sugar crystals like regular sugar cookies, which means that snickerdoodles have a soft, pillowy, and totally addictive texture.

Another difference between these snickerdoodles and sugar cookies is that the former are rolled in cinnamon-sugar before baking. (Of course, you could also roll sugar cookies in cinnamon sugar, and it would be delicious!)

For classic sugar cookie recipes, try my easy sugar cookies, brown sugar cookies, and soft sugar cookies.

Recipe Ingredients

Let’s talk snickerdoodle recipe essentials! If you’re looking for the exact ingredient amounts or the full set of directions, check out the recipe card below.

  • Butter: Feel free to use either unsalted butter or salted butter. Make sure that whichever kind you choose is at room temperature before you start.
  • Sugar: This recipe calls for both granulated sugar and light brown sugar. The extra richness the brown sugar gives these cookies is what helps set them apart. Brown sugar adds a little moisture, as well as a deeper flavor.
  • Large Eggs: You will use one whole egg and one egg yolk.
  • Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract works best.
  • Baking Soda: To help the cookies rise while baking.
  • Cream of Tartar: There are lots of different cream of tartar substitutes if you need them!
  • Salt: Kosher salt is my go-to for this recipe.
  • Ground Cinnamon: For both the cookies and the cinnamon-sugar coating.
  • Flour: I like to stick with all-purpose flour for these cookies.

How to Make Snickerdoodles

This snickerdoodle cookie recipe is super simple. Here’s an overview of the steps. Scroll down to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

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  • Make the dough. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and cinnamon. Mix for one minute then reduce the speed to low and add the flour. Mix until just combined.
  • Form the cookies. Stir together the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Using a medium (2-tablespoon) cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll it into a ball. Then roll each cookie dough ball into the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.
  • Bake. Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through. Cool on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Success

Some of you will agree with my tips, especially if you’ve made this snickerdoodle recipe before – you already know they’re magic. But some of you might disagree… and that’s ok! This is what I’ve learned over the years when it comes to making the best snickerdoodles:

  • Cream of tartar can be optional. I don’t necessarily think you have to use cream of tartar to have a good snickerdoodle (gasp, I know). I do use it in my recipe to keep things traditional, but, if you find yourself fresh out of it, check out those substitutes linked above in the ingredients section!
  • Don’t chill the cookie dough. You don’t need to chill the dough as you normally would with snickerdoodles because of the lower oven temperature!
  • Use extra cinnamon. I use cinnamon in the dough as well as in the coating. You can leave it out if you want, but the best part of a snickerdoodle is the buttery, cinnamon-ness and, in this case, more is more!
  • Don’t forget the extra egg yolk. Adding one egg plus a yolk gives the cookie dough a little extra moisture and a lot of richness. You could omit the yolk and add a few tablespoons less of flour, or you could certainly add 2 whole eggs, and have a slightly thinner cookie, but the extra yolk is where the magic happens!
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cream of tartar used in snickerdoodles?

As mentioned above, cream of tartar is what gives the cookies their ultra-soft, chewy texture. It also adds the classic tangy taste that snickerdoodles are known for.

Why did my snickerdoodles come out dry?

It could be that too much flour was added to the cookie dough. Be sure to weigh your flour or spoon it into the measuring cup so that you can avoid this. Also make sure to watch the bake time closely so that the cookies don’t over-bake and dry out.

How do I know when my snickerdoodles are done baking?

I bake my snickerdoodles for EXACTLY 11 minutes every single time at 325°F with perfect results. But, I know all ovens are different, so I wrote 10-12 minutes in the recipe card just in case. You want the edges to be lightly golden and the center to seem ALMOST done… you might think it’s not done, but once it cools completely it will be soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

How to Store Snickerdoodles

  • Room temperature. Once they have cooled completely, snickerdoodles are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Fridge. If you want them to keep for a little bit longer, you can try storing the container in the fridge. They should last about 5 days.
  • Freezer. When freezing baked snickerdoodles, keep them in an airtight container or tightly-sealed plastic bag. Freeze them for up to 3 months – remember to let your cookies thaw in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy them again!
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Can I Freeze Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough?

Yes! If you want to make a double batch to have on-demand snickerdoodle cookies in the future, you totally can.

Just follow the recipe up until the cookie dough is rolled in cinnamon sugar. After you roll each cookie ball in the cinnamon-sugar, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze the dough until firm. (Usually this takes about 4-6 hours.) You can then move the frozen cookie dough to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and store them for up to 3 months.

The great thing about this trick is that you can make single-serve snickerdoodle cookies! When you feel the snickerdoodle craving, simply pop a couple frozen dough balls onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 325F for 12-14 minutes.

More Snickerdoodle Recipes

Can’t get enough of this classic cinnamon-sugar combination? Try out some more snickerdoodle-themed recipes, then!

  • Stuffed Snickerdoodle Cookies
  • Snickerdoodle Cobbler
  • Snickerdoodle Krispie Treats
  • Soft Snickerdoodle Muffins
  • Snickerdoodle Apple Bread

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    Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles - The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe! (6)

    Perfect Snickerdoodles

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 208 reviews

    • Author: Cookies & Cups
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 20 1x
    • Category: Cookies
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

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    Description

    This is the BEST most PERFECT snickerdoodle cookie recipe ever! These cookies are super soft and buttery, and loaded with cinnamon and sugar. Plus, it’s not necessary to chill the dough, so they can be made really quickly!

    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the Cookies

    • 1 cup butter, room temperature
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 egg, plus 1 yolk
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 3/4 cup flour

    For the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 325°F.Line a baking sheet with a parchment paper and set aside.
    2. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment mix the butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add in the egg, the yolk, vanilla,baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and cinnamon and mix for 1 minute, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
    3. Turn mixer to low and add in flour, mixing until just combined.
    4. In a separate small bowl make your Cinnamon Sugar by mixing together cinnamon and sugar, stirring until evenly combined.
    5. Using a medium (2- tablespoon) cookie scoop portion out the dough and roll into a ball. Then roll each cookie dough ball into the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.
    6. Place on prepared baking sheet about 2- inches apart. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes, turning cookie sheet halfway through baking.
    7. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    • I bake my Snickerdoodles for exactly 11 minutes every time I make this recipe with perfect results, but I know ovens vary, so bake only until the edges are slightly golden. The tops may seem slightly undercooked, but they will firm up perfectly when they cool. If you prefer a crisper cookie, bake for 2 additional minutes.
    • To store. Keep leftover snickerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
    • To freeze. Keep your cookies in an airtight container or tightly-sealed plastic bag. Freeze them for up to 3 months – remember to let your cookies thaw in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy them again!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cookie
    • Calories: 207
    • Sugar: 13.7 g
    • Sodium: 131.1 mg
    • Fat: 9.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 27.3 g
    • Protein: 2.5 g
    • Cholesterol: 43 mg

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    Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles - The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make cookies softer? ›

    Baking cookies quickly in a hot oven – at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature – will make for soft results. They'll bake fast instead of sitting and drying out in the oven's hot air. Ever so slightly underbaking your cookies will give you softer results than cooking them the full amount the recipe says.

    Why are my snickerdoodles hard? ›

    Snickerdoodles might turn out hard if they are overbaked or if the dough is too dry. Be sure to keep an eye on them as they bake – when the edges are set but the centers are still soft and puffy, they are done. Also, make sure you're not adding too much flour.

    Why don't my snickerdoodles crack? ›

    If yours aren't cracking, your oven may not be hot enough or your ingredients may not be fresh enough! Are snickerdoodles supposed to be undercooked? I always recommend slightly underbaking your cookies and then letting them finish baking through cooling on the pan.

    What happens if you add too much cream of tartar? ›

    Keep in mind that more cream of tartar doesn't necessarily mean a better, more stable result. “Too much cream of tartar will impart a metallic, tin-like taste,” Molly warns.

    What happens if you dont use cream of tartar in cookies? ›

    Adding it to cake or cookie batters prevents sugar from banding together and crystallizing, meaning that it results in more of a tender chew—snickerdoodles and sugar cookies wouldn't be the same without cream of tartar. The same effect is why it's added to some frostings and syrups, where it helps keep things smooth.

    What makes cookies soft and chewy? ›

    Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

    How do you make cookies stay soft and chewy? ›

    Keep Them Sealed

    The key to keeping cookies fresh and soft is to seal them in an airtight container, like a resealable freezer bag. And here's a nifty little trick: add a piece of bread to the bag.

    What is the secret to keeping cookies soft? ›

    “To keep cookies soft, store them in an airtight container and not in a cookie jar,” Amanda recommends. “While cookie jars are cute, they usually don't have airtight lids.

    How to soften snickerdoodles? ›

    The best way to soften up those hard cookies is something you probably already have in your kitchen… bread! That's right, a piece of fresh bread will make those tough treats soft and chewy.

    How to soften snickerdoodle cookies? ›

    Bread releases moisture into the air, while sugar (present in large quantities in cookies), absorbs moisture out of the air. Don't have any white bread? Use a slice of apple instead. Just slip a wedge in with your cookies, cover, and let sit overnight.

    How do you know when a snickerdoodle is done? ›

    How do you know when the cookies are baked? The snickerdoodle cookies will only take about 10 to 12 minutes to bake, so be sure to keep your eye on them! It's best to rotate the cookies after about 6 minutes so that the cook evenly. The cookies are done when the edges are just set and the centres are soft and cracked.

    Why did my snickerdoodles come out cakey? ›

    If your cookies come out flat on top, with a cake-like texture, you've added too many eggs.

    Why are my snickerdoodles so fluffy? ›

    Why are my snickerdoodles puffy? Too much flour - spoon and level the flour correctly how I show it in my chocolate chip cookie post. Inaccurate oven temperature (too hot) - I advise using an oven thermometer for accurate baking results.

    Why are my snickerdoodles cakey? ›

    Using too much flour will make your cookies too cakey, so try reducing the flour amount by two tablespoons. Avoid using cake flour instead; try a mix of all-purpose flour and bread flour for a more dense and chewy texture.

    What is the benefit of cream of tartar in baking? ›

    Culinary uses

    Bakers often use cream of tartar in baked goods by mixing it with egg whites to help create stiff peaks in meringue. This prevents the formation of sugar crystals. Cream of tartar can be a substitute for anything from buttermilk to baking powder and lemon juice in your favorite recipes.

    Does cream of tartar help cookies rise? ›

    When combined with baking soda, it becomes a leavening agent (the stuff that makes baked goods puff up in the oven) by producing carbon dioxide gas. If you ever run out of baking powder, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar for 1 teaspoon baking powder.

    Why did my Snickerdoodle cookies not flatten? ›

    One of the most common reasons why cookies didn't spread out in the oven is because you added too much flour. Cookies rely on the perfect ratio of butter to flour in order to spread just the right amount when baked. It's very easy to over measure flour when using cup measurements.

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