Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies
The popular cinnamon-sugar soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe. A recipe that has been in the family for over 30 years!
This was one of the first cookie recipes I made as a kid. As I have shared before, I was fully obsessed with cookbooks as a little girl. My Mom collected church cookbooks and I would go straight to the cookie recipes and beg my Mom to let me whip up a batch. I made this snickerdoodle cookie recipe 30 years ago and it is still the best I have ever tasted.
This is such a popular Christmas cookie because I have yet to find anyone who doesn't love snickerdoodle cookies! When I used to teach a cooking school for kids, it was the first cookie I taught them to make because kids love them. Whenever I make these cookies, they disappear so darn fast!
So what makes a perfect snickerdoodle cookie?
A snickerdoodle cookie has to be soft and chewy. No hard hockey puck cookies here! It has to be rolled twice in cinnamon-sugar to ensure that it is completely coated. It also has to have the signature tang from the cream of tartar.
How to make the BEST Snickerdoodle Cookie:
- Start by creaming butter and sugar for 4-5 minutes. This is an important step as the butter coats the sugar crystals and creates a smooth texture. It also whips air into the cookie dough.
- Use Cream of Tartar as a leavening agent. It gives it the signature tangy flavor and chewy texture. A touch of baking soda helps the cookies to rise as well.
- Double roll the cookie balls into a cinnamon-sugar mixture. This helps to make sure the cookies are completely coated in cinnamon-sugar before baking.
- Bake just until the edges begin to become a light golden color. These snickerdoodle cookies need to be soft and chewy so watch carefully. If you want them to be flat, press the balls down in the center before placing in the oven.
- My favorite baking tools for perfect Snickerdoodle cookies -- light-colored baking sheets, parchment paper sheets, KitchenAid mixer.
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Check out some more of my most popular cookie recipes:
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
MJ's Top Secret Chocolate Chip Cookies
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Soft Chewy Sugar Cookies
Grandma Geri's Gingersnaps
Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies
Mrs. Claus Peppermint Bark Chocolate Cookies
The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- 2 ¾ cup Flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cream of Tartar
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:
- ¼ cup Sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the eggs and vanilla. Cream for 1-2 minutes longer.
- Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt, just until combined.
- In a small bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon.
- If time allows, wrap the dough and let refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Roll into small balls until round and smooth. Drop into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and coat well. Using a spoon, coat for a second time, ensuring the cookie balls are completely covered. *To make flatter snickerdoodles, press down in the center of the ball before placing in the oven. This helps to keep them from puffing up in the middle. *
- Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Let cool for several minutes on baking sheet before removing from the pan.
Video
I hope you love this snickerdoodle cookie recipe and it becomes a staple in your family for years! Happy Baking!
Jilly Bean
These cookies are super yummy! They have just the right amount of chewiness. I couldn’t taste the cinnamon as much as I was expecting, but it was made up for by the perfect texture! I might try adding cinnamon into the dough next time I make them. (I have a feeling there will be many more “next times”, the cookies disappeared fast after I pulled them out of the oven!)
Modern Honey
Thank you so much for the kind comment. You can absolutely add a touch of cinnamon to the snickerdoodle dough. Great idea! So happy you loved them!
Jennifee arcand
Good for your children,,i kuv snickerdoodles!
Teresa Fraunfelter
I baked a batch tonight….they were fantastic! Snickerdoodles have been an all time favorite of mine and have quickly become the same for my children. Thank you so much for the recipe and the tips!
Modern Honey
Thank you so much, Teresa! I agree...they are one of my favorites too and everyone seems to love snickerdoodles. I appreciate your kind comments!
Jean
Why on earth have I not been making these regularly? My husband likes to wax nostalgic about "crack sugar cookies" his grandmother used to make. They are very similar as they include cream of tartar but no cinnamon. I think I had him with these - he went on and on about them. And as others said, the smell in the house while baking is worth it alone 🙂
Simple, satisfying. Can't wait to make more with some flavor variations. Could be fun!
My kids will be leaving for college soon and these will be great treats to send with them from time to time. I'm not going to share the ease, though.. Great post, and details on recipe.
Modern Honey
Thank you so much, Jean! I love the idea of "crack sugar cookies" -- I haven't heard of them before. They sound awesome! Whenever my daughter comes home to visit and then drives back to college, I always pack a batch of snickerdoodles for her as well. Everyone loves snickerdoodle cookies!