The Best Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe: Classic Cinnamon Sugar Perfection

Discover the ultimate recipe for The Best Snickerdoodle Cookies, a timeless classic beloved by all! This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create incredibly soft, perfectly chewy cookies, each generously coated in that delightful cinnamon-sugar blend we all adore. These are the quintessential Snickerdoodles that everyone craves – perfect for any occasion, from cozy family nights to festive holiday gatherings.

While you’re here, don’t miss our comprehensive collection of BEST CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES!

Whipping up a batch of these iconic cinnamon sugar cookies is surprisingly easy. With basic pantry staples and about 20 minutes of active time, you can have warm, fresh Snickerdoodles ready to enjoy. There’s truly never a bad time for these comforting treats, and with this foolproof Snickerdoodle recipe, you’ll be baking like a pro in no time!

Bake Amazing, Easy Homemade Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodles hold a special place in our hearts. My oldest son, in particular, absolutely adores them, which means they’re a frequent request in our kitchen. Over the years, I’ve stuck with this tried-and-true recipe, firmly believing in the adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s an incredibly straightforward cookie recipe, and my children love getting involved, especially when it comes to rolling the dough in the glistening cinnamon-sugar coating. The simple yet distinct flavor of these homemade Snickerdoodle cookies makes them a win-win for everyone!

There’s a unique charm to Snickerdoodles that transcends their simple ingredients. The delicate balance of sweet and tangy, combined with the warm spice of cinnamon, creates a truly comforting and unforgettable cookie. They’re soft and pillowy with just the right amount of chew, ensuring every bite is pure bliss. This recipe captures that classic essence perfectly, making it an ideal choice for bakers of all skill levels. Why not give this recipe a try today? Gather your kids, get them to help out with the fun parts, and prepare to enjoy these simply delightful cookies together.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE CINNAMON SUGAR COOKIES

• Effortless with Simple Ingredients. This classic Snickerdoodle recipe relies on fundamental baking ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar, and butter. You likely have most, if not all, of these staples already in your pantry, making it incredibly convenient to whip up a batch on short notice. No special trips to the grocery store required!
• Incredibly Easy to Make! Don’t let their gourmet taste fool you; these delicious cookies are as straightforward to prepare as they are delightful to eat. The dough comes together quickly, and they bake in under 10 minutes. This makes them a fantastic choice for beginner bakers or for anyone looking for a quick and satisfying dessert. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can create these sweet, comforting treats.
• A Minimalist Ingredient List. With only about 10 core ingredients, this recipe is perfect for those spontaneous dessert cravings. The simplicity of the ingredient list not only makes preparation a breeze but also ensures that the pure, classic Snickerdoodle flavor shines through without being overwhelmed by complexity. Chances are high that everything you need is already on hand.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Fun. This recipe is fantastic for involving younger helpers in the kitchen. From measuring ingredients to rolling the dough in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, there are plenty of simple steps that kids can assist with, fostering a love for baking and creating cherished family memories.
• Nostalgic Flavor. Snickerdoodles evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Their unique tangy-sweet profile, combined with the comforting spice of cinnamon, reminds many of childhood and simpler times. This recipe perfectly captures that classic, familiar taste that brings a smile to everyone’s face.

Essential Ingredients for the BEST Snickerdoodle Cookies

Crafting the perfect Snickerdoodle begins with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

Butter: You’ll need ½ cup of softened butter. Using softened butter is key for proper creaming, which incorporates air into the dough, leading to a lighter, more tender cookie. Butter contributes rich flavor and helps achieve that delightful chewy texture.

Shortening: Incorporate ½ cup of shortening (I recommend butter-flavored Crisco for an extra touch). Shortening is essential for creating incredibly soft and moist cookies that resist spreading too much. It has a higher melting point than butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and results in a wonderfully tender crumb.

Sugar: For perfectly sweet and chewy cookies, use 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar. Sugar not only provides sweetness but also helps with the cookie’s texture, contributing to both chewiness and tenderness.

Eggs: Add 2 large eggs to the dough. Eggs act as a binder, providing structure and moisture, which gives the cookies a great taste and a desirable, cohesive texture.

Vanilla Extract: To enhance all the wonderful flavors in your Snickerdoodles, use 1 tablespoon of good quality vanilla extract. Vanilla adds a depth of flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully.

Flour: The structural base of this cookie recipe requires 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, plus an additional 2 tablespoons. Proper flour measurement is critical for cookie consistency – too much can make them dry, too little can make them spread excessively.

Cream of Tartar: This is a defining ingredient for Snickerdoodles! Adding 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar contributes to the cookie’s distinctive tangy flavor and helps prevent sugar crystallization, resulting in a soft and tender texture. It also interacts with baking soda to give the cookies their characteristic “puff.”

Baking Soda: Use 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Activated by the cream of tartar and moisture, baking soda creates carbon dioxide bubbles, which helps the cookies rise and become tender as they bake.

Salt: A ½ teaspoon of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the flavors in the dough. Don’t skip it; it truly brings out the best in the other ingredients.

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: For the irresistible sweet and spicy coating that makes these cookies legendary, you’ll need a mixture of 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. This coating provides the signature Snickerdoodle aroma and taste.

How to Make the BEST Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these detailed steps to ensure your Snickerdoodles turn out perfectly soft, chewy, and bursting with cinnamon sugar flavor.

Preparation Phase: Setting Up for Success

Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). A properly preheated oven is crucial for even baking. Next, prepare your baking sheets: line them with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is a game-changer for preventing sticking and making cleanup a breeze, especially with softer doughs like Snickerdoodle. Set your lined baking sheets aside while you prepare the dough.

Next, get your signature cinnamon-sugar coating ready. In a small, shallow bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Use a fork or a small whisk to thoroughly blend the two ingredients until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar. This ensures every cookie gets that perfect spiced sweetness.

Crafting the Cookie Dough: The Heart of Your Snickerdoodles

In a large mixing bowl (preferably using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, shortening, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, the eggs, and the vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ light texture.

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: the 2 ¾ cups + 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Make sure these are thoroughly combined to ensure even leavening and flavor distribution in your cookies.

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredient mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies. Mix just until no streaks of dry flour remain. The dough will be soft.

Using a cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 tablespoons for medium-sized cookies) or by rounded spoonfuls, portion the dough and shape it into smooth balls. Roll each ball of dough generously in the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture. For an extra thick coating, you can even spoon a bit more mixture over each cookie, turning it once to ensure all sides are well-covered. Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Baking and Cooling: The Final Steps to Perfection

Carefully place the baking sheets into your preheated 400°F oven. Bake for precisely 8 minutes. Snickerdoodles are best when slightly underbaked, as this contributes to their soft and chewy texture. The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the centers still look a little soft. Do not overbake!

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for an additional 2-3 minutes. This crucial step allows them to set up and firm slightly before being moved. After this brief resting period, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool on the rack prevents them from becoming soggy on the bottom and maintains their crisp edges.

Serve immediately while still slightly warm, and enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness and spice!

Pro Tips to Make the PERFECT Snickerdoodle Cookies Every Time

Achieving consistently perfect Snickerdoodle cookies is easier with a few handy kitchen tools and techniques. I rely on these items and methods for nearly all my cookie baking, making them incredibly versatile additions to your kitchen arsenal.

• Parchment Paper is Your Best Friend: First and foremost, I always line my cookie sheets with a piece of parchment paper. Pre-cut parchment sheets perfectly fit standard 12×16-inch cookie sheets, ensuring your cookies bake beautifully without sticking. This eliminates the need for messy oil sprays and makes cleanup an absolute dream. Parchment is especially invaluable for this particular Snickerdoodle recipe because the dough is quite soft and sticky, preventing any frustration during transfer and baking.
• Invest in a Quality Stand Mixer: The second essential item is a KitchenAid mixer. I truly adore mine! While I also own a Bosch, I find myself reaching for my KitchenAid specifically for cookie recipes. It comes with a dedicated cookie paddle attachment that effortlessly creams butter and sugar, mixing ingredients uniformly and efficiently. This prevents overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies. It’s an investment, but it’s one of the most used small appliances in my kitchen!
• The Magic of a Cookie Scoop: The third item that revolutionized my cookie baking is a cookie scoop! For years, I struggled with two spoons, trying to measure and scrape cookie dough onto pans. The result was often an assortment of oblong cookies in various inconsistent sizes. Then, a friend brought a batch of perfectly uniform cookies to a party, and her secret was the scoop! They come in various sizes—1/2 tablespoon, 1.5 tablespoon, and 3 tablespoon. For these Snickerdoodles, and most standard cookies, I use the middle size (1.5 tablespoon). This ensures every cookie bakes evenly and looks professionally made. It’s a small tool that makes a huge difference!
• Accurate Flour Measurement: While not a tool, this technique is critical. Always spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge (like the back of a knife). Scooping directly from the bag can pack too much flour into the cup, leading to dry, crumbly cookies. Precision here makes all the difference!
• Don’t Overbake: This might be the most crucial tip for soft and chewy Snickerdoodles. They should look slightly underdone when you pull them from the oven. The edges will be set and lightly golden, but the centers will still appear soft and puffed. They will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet for those crucial few minutes after removal, firming up to perfection.

Cream of Tartar in Snickerdoodles: Is it Really Necessary?

Cream of Tartar is indeed one of the signature ingredients that gives Snickerdoodles their distinct tangy flavor, unique texture, and characteristic crackled top. It’s what differentiates them from a regular sugar cookie simply coated in cinnamon sugar. The specific acidity of cream of tartar reacts with baking soda to create a rapid release of carbon dioxide, which gives the cookies their tender crumb and slight puff, while also inhibiting browning too quickly.

This distinct flavor profile, a delightful blend of sweet and subtly tangy, is fairly difficult to replicate exactly. However, if you find yourself without cream of tartar and don’t want to make a special trip to the store, you can still make delicious cookies. A common substitute is baking powder. Since baking powder is a mixture of baking soda, an acid (often a form of cream of tartar), and a starch, it can serve as a decent alternative. For every 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar, you can typically substitute 1 teaspoon of baking powder (and reduce the baking soda in the recipe by about ¼ teaspoon, though some recipes might just swap directly). While the flavor might not be as pronouncedly tangy and the texture might be slightly different, your cookies will still be wonderfully soft and chewy.

How Long Do Snickerdoodle Cookies Stay Fresh? (And How to Store Them)

These delightful Snickerdoodle cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store remarkably well! To maintain their wonderful soft and chewy texture, it’s crucial to store them properly. Kept in an airtight container at room temperature, your Snickerdoodles will remain fresh and delicious for 3-5 days. For an even longer shelf life, you can extend their freshness by storing them in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay good for up to a week.

If you’ve made a large batch or want to enjoy fresh Snickerdoodles anytime, these cookies also freeze beautifully. You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds to restore their fresh-baked goodness.

Alternatively, you can freeze the unbaked dough balls. After rolling them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When a craving strikes, simply bake them from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Explore More Snickerdoodle Variations

Once you’ve mastered the classic, don’t hesitate to experiment with these fantastic Snickerdoodle twists from our collection:

• Caramel Apple Snickerdoodles: A delightful fusion of fruity and spiced.
• Peach Snickerdoodles: A summery take on the classic, bursting with peach flavor.
• Cinnamon Roll Snickerdoodles: Combines the best of two beloved desserts.
• Snickerdoodle Apple Pie Cookie Cups: A creative and fun dessert that’s perfect for entertaining.

Beyond Snickerdoodles: More Amazing Sugar Cookie Recipes

If you adore the comforting simplicity and versatile nature of sugar cookies, you’re in for a treat! Our collection features a wide array of sugar cookie variations, each offering a unique twist on this beloved classic. Expand your baking repertoire and discover new family favorites with these incredible recipes:

• CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES: For an extra soft and tangy cookie.
• FROSTED BROWN SUGAR COOKIES: A deep, rich flavor with a sweet frosting.
• SOUR CREAM SUGAR COOKIES: Incredibly moist and tender, with a subtle tang.
• CHEWY CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES: A delightful cocoa twist on a classic.
• SUGAR COOKIE BARS: All the flavor of sugar cookies in an easy-to-make bar form.
• MINI SUGAR COOKIE BITES: Perfect bite-sized treats for any occasion.
• JELLO SUGAR COOKIES: A colorful and fruity addition to your cookie plate.
• BLUEBERRY SUGAR COOKIES: Bursting with fresh blueberry flavor.
• LIME SUGAR COOKIES: A bright and zesty option for citrus lovers.

Baking is more than just following a recipe; it’s about creating moments and memories, especially with family. Beyond the kitchen, some of our fondest memories are made outdoors. There’s something truly magical about visiting the ocean with your children. I’ll admit, it’s definitely less serene than a solo beach trip, but the joy and wonder in their eyes make every sandy moment worthwhile. I vividly remember a trip where my husband helped our youngest daughter spot vibrant, colorful fish swimming right around the rocks on the shoreline. And don’t miss the adorable sleeping sea lion lounging in the foreground of our memories! This was a small, bustling beach, but it offered so many delightful sights and experiences.

Do you enjoy visiting the beach with your family? What’s your favorite beach destination for making lasting memories?

Whether it’s a quiet afternoon at home or a lively family adventure, these Best Snickerdoodle Cookies are the perfect companion. Try this amazing traditional Snickerdoodle recipe to create the soft, tender, and sweet cookies we all know and love! The snickerdoodle cookie dough, with its great cinnamon flavor and classic chewy texture, promises a delightful treat every time. Happy baking!