The Best Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodle Cookies are a classic cookie loved by both kids and adults. They’re soft, sweet, slightly chewy, and coated with cinnamon sugar. All you need is a mug of Hot Chocolate to dip these into.
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Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
If you’ve never sunk your teeth into one before, Snickerdoodles are simple cookies covered with cinnamon and sugar. Just like Crinkle Cookies, they are delicious, simple to make, and the perfect addition to a Christmas cookie platter.
Hi there! My name is Natalya and I run the blog Momsdish. If you already follow me, you know I can’t get enough of easy meals that require simple ingredients. This recipe for snickerdoodles encompasses all my favorite things: sweets, straightforward instructions, and easy clean-up.
What are Snickerdoodle Cookies?
Snickerdoodles get dubbed as sugar cookies with a touch of cinnamon. While it’s true that snickerdoodles and traditional sugar cookies have a lot of similar ingredients, there is a major difference between the two: cream of tartar.
Now, you might be thinking that cream of tartar is a weird ingredient to add to a cookie. However, this ingredient is the main reason why snickerdoodles are chewy, have that signature touch of tanginess and a melt-in-your-mouth softness.
How to make the best Snickerdoodle Cookies:
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add in vanilla extract and eggs and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
- Add dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir to combine.
Pro Tip: Make your very own vanilla extract and use it for this recipe. So amazing and easy, you’ll find yourself never buying it from the store again!
How to form Snickerdoodles:
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Form equal-sized dough balls and roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Baking Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies:
- Place cookies on a baking sheet. Press down the center to create an even top.
- Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes until edges are just lightly golden. Let cookies rest and enjoy.
Common Questions
There is much debate surrounding why these cookies got their wacky name. However, The Joy of Cooking guesses the name was likely derived from the German word “schneckennudel.” This translates directly to “snail noodles”, but the word also refers to a delicious German variation of cinnamon rolls.
Cream of tartar prevents the sugar from crystallizing when baking. This results in a soft and chewy cookie versus a crunchy one.
Don’t over bake them. Depending on the size, they will need to be in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Pay close attention to when the edges start to turn golden and then immediately pull them out. They might look a little underbaked but will harden as they cool down.
Storing Snickerdoodle Cookies Cookies
- Room Temperature: Keep snickerdoodles in a sealed, air tight container on the counter. They should stay soft for about 2 days and then will start to harden a bit.
- Freezing: Freeze your snickerdoodles by placing baked and fully cooled cookies on a baking sheet in one layer. Pop the entire sheet in the freezer and allow cookies to completely freeze. Remove cookies from baking sheet and place in a freezer-safe plastic bag. When you’re ready to eat, allow the cookies to thaw on the counter at room temperature until softened through.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can make the dough a day or two in advance. Keep it covered and refrigerated. Just before serving, roll in cinnamon sugar and bake.
More Cookies Recipes
Looking to fill up that holiday tray? Here are some more knock-out cookie recipes:
- Christmas Sugar Cookies – Our no-fail festive, decorated cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – a cross between a cookie and brownie
- Snowball Cookies – perfect for a holiday cookie tray
- Madeleine Cookies – delicate and impressive cookies
- Macaroon Cookies – The coconut lovers cookie
Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Snickerdoodle Cookies are a classic cookie loved by both kids and adults. They’re soft, sweet, slightly chewy and coated in cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
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Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachement. Beat on medium/high speed until the mixture is fluffy (about 5 minutes).
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Add in vanilla extract and eggs. Continue beating until well combined (about 2 minutes).
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In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar.
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Add your dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir until well combined. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
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In a separate bowl, combine 1/3 cup sguar and 2 Tbsp cinnamon. Form equal-sized dough balls and roll each one generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
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Place cookies on a baking sheet and press down the center slightly to create an even top. Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Let cookies rest a few minutes before serving.
Natalya Drozhzhin
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Can we substitute the cream of tartar? What do we substitute it with?
Hi Inna, Cream of tartar prevents the sugar from crystallizing when baking. This results in a soft and chewy cookie versus a crunchy one. I haven’t tried any other substitute to advise, though.
This is the best snickerdoodle recipe I’ve ever tried. The freezing option is the best and they taste like you just made them once they get to room temperature.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Snickerdoodles were always me & my dad’s favorite cookies! So when I found out my boyfriend also favoured these, I knew I had to make some. Knowing that your recipes are always a hit, I made them & omg they’re wonderful; to say the least. I’ve made these several times since, & crazy enough they stay soft plus fresh for up to two weeks! Love them & love youu, thank you for helping me be a hit too 😍🙏🙏
Hello Rebecca, that is so great! I’m glad you loved this recipe, these are one of our favorites at home too. Thanks for sharing that with us!
Thank You For to Know this Snacks. Thank You For Sharing.
You’re welcome! I hope you can try this recipe soon.
Unbelievable chewy and soft, even on a third day! Kids say they are better then chocolate chip cookies. I end up not refrigerating the dough and they still turn out so delicious. Will be making them again and again.
That is the best when kids love what we moms make, Yana. That’s so great!
What do you think about using brown sugar with cinnamon for the ‘rolling’ mixture? More like Coffee Cake flavours. Would that work?
I haven’t tested that substitution so I’m not sure how it would bake up. The color would be darker since brown sugar has molasses. If you experiment, please let me know how it goes.
FYI: Brown sugar + cinnamon at the end put these over the top! SO yummy!
Excellent recipe! As my kids said “cookies to die for”. Thanks for sharing this recipe with everyone
They are so sweet! Thank you for sharing that with us, Irina.
My wife has made snickerdoodles for years. This year she tried this recipe and they were the best she ever made. So good she took her old recipe out of her book and replaced it with this one.
Wow! That’s amazing! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
hhhmmmm…im excited to try this recipe…another challenge
I hope you love these cookies and please let us know too how it goes!
Huge hit, adults and kids alike. Added some sparkles to the cinnamon-sugar coating to add the Christmas feel.
Love it! Thanks for sharing that with us.
Can you add cream of tartar to other cookies to make them soft.
Hi John, I’m not sure about other recipes but it works great for this specific recipe.
Hi Natasha, I made your snickerdoodle cookies today to add to my holiday baking, and they are amazing! The perfect snickerdoodle!!! My husband said they may be the best cookie he’s ever had. Thanks for a wonderful, easy recipe. I’ve made many recipes of yours, and I have never been disappointed!
Hi Dana, so great to hear that! Thank you for sharing that with me, I’m happy that your husband loved these cookies.
What can I substitute for cream of tartar?
Hi GM, Cream of tartar prevents the sugar from crystallizing when baking. This results in a soft and chewy cookie versus a crunchy one. I haven’t tried any other substitute to advise though.
When a recipe says baking soda, does it mean baking powder or bicarbonate soda?
Hi Margie, baking soda is the same thing as bicarbonate of soda.
Hi natasha I am so excited to try your recipe
I hope you love this recipe Sara!
hi i wish you can make some restaurants recipe
Hi Malak, we have several restaurant copy-cat recipes! What kind are you looking for?
Honey bread that they serve it in cheesecake factory
Honey bread that they serve it in cheesecake factory
Thank you for that suggestion, Malak! I do not have that recipe at this time.
But you can try it and then share it
hi natasha i brought my cookie cutter last wweek from amazon and i am going to try your biscuits do you have a biscuit recipe i can try
Hi Jana, I only have recipes for cookies on my website.
Hello, I like your recipes, it would be easier to make them if you also put the measurements in grams.
I just discovered that you have an option to use grams. thanks for your recipes.
You’re welcome!! I hope you enjoy this!
Hi Montse, thank you for that suggestion. If you scroll down to our printable recipe card, you will find we have a metric conversion option. I hope you find it helpful!
Hi Natasha,
How many tablespoons was the cookie scoop you used?
Thanks.
That scoop portions 1 Tablespoon of dough if you level it.
This is my favorite snickerdoodle recipe. So soft and chewy and m’mmm….
Perfect! I hope this recipe becomes your favorite.
I love Snickerdoodle Cookies i bet this will taste good
I hope this becomes your favorite!
Your recipe is incredible! Snickerdoodles are a favorite in our home. They never disappoint!
Hi Kristyn, thank you for the wonderful review. I’m so glad you loved the snickerdoodle cookies.