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 do you 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.

    Why did my snickerdoodles come out cakey? ›

    Generally when baking, cakey texture is from more flour and less sugar. The ratio of fat, sugar and flour is what achieves the texture of the cookie. Also, when you are whipping the eggs in the recipe as well.

    What makes cookies soft or chewy? ›

    Well, the long and short answer to chewy cookies is it's all about the moisture content. Cookies that are dense and chewy incorporate more moisture into the batter. This can be achieved by making substitutions with wet and dry ingredients, or even just changing the way you incorporate certain ingredients.

    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.

    Why are my snickerdoodles not chewy? ›

    It's VERY important to not over bake snickerdoodles; underbaking slightly is what helps give them that soft and chewy texture. (Dry Snickerdoodles taste like chalk. Don't be like that.)

    How do you soften snickerdoodles? ›

    Simply lay the bread at the bottom of the container and pile your cookies on top of it, seal the lid, and wait a few hours. The cookies will soak up all the moisture from the bread and by the next morning, they will taste as good as the day they came out of the oven gooey.

    How do you soften snickerdoodle cookies? ›

    Another way to soften cookies is by placing the cookies in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy. Another way is to place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel.

    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.

    Why are my snickerdoodles always flat? ›

    If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure. Therefore, as the butter spreads so does the whole liquidy cookie.

    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 cookies cakey and chewy? ›

    Eggs bind the ingredients and make for moist, chewy cookies. Adding too many eggs can result in gummy, cake-like cookies. Adding too few eggs can result in dry, crumbly cookies.

    Why does snickerdoodle dough need to be refrigerated? ›

    Refrigerating snickerdoodle dough lets the butter resolidify and prevents the cookies from flattening out in the oven. I recommend giving the dough at least 45-60 minutes of chilling time in the fridge before baking.

    Why are my snickerdoodles spreading so much? ›

    Too-warm butter will melt and spread in the oven before your cookies set. So, if your recipe calls for room-temperature butter, it needs to be exactly that: room temperature. “It should not be melty or warm to the touch,” says Dawn. “Room-temperature butter is pliable but cool to the touch.

    What can I do with cookies that are too hard? ›

    Bread Buddy: Place a slice of bread in the cookie jar or with the cookies. The moisture from the bread will transfer to the cookies, making them softer. Apple Accomplice: Similar to the bread trick, you can use a slice of apple. It works wonders in reviving the chewiness.

    What makes cookies soft and fluffy? ›

    When added to dough, baking soda releases a carbon dioxide gas which helps leaven the dough, creating a soft, fluffy cookie.

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