This is the best snickerdoodle recipe – these cinnamon sugar cookies are deliciously soft and chewy with the perfect crisp edge.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This easy snickerdoodle recipe is made in one bowl and doesn’t require any extra time to chill the dough.

How long it takes: 15 minutes to stir up the dough, and 10 minutes to bake each batch
Equipment you’ll need: large mixing bowl, mixer, baking sheets
Servings: 3 dozen cookies

Snickerdoodle cookie with a large bite out of it.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Snickerdoodles are sugar cookies coated in cinnamon sugar, with the perfect balance of chewy and crisp.

Along with my whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, these snickerdoodle cookies are a go-to of mine and I’m pretty sure they’ll become a requested cookie in your family, too.

And if you’re looking for more cookies, Christmas or otherwise, check out my list of kitchen tested, family approved cookie and bar recipes.

Overhead view of a snickerdoodle cookie.

About this recipe

  • Easy to Make: These cookies are very easy to make; it’s a simple sugar cookie dough that doesn’t even need to be chilled. I tested them both ways and the cookies were equally as chewy and delicious with or without extra refrigeration time. I really don’t like chilling dough because a) it takes longer, and b) it gives me more time to eat all the dough. 
  • All Butter: I didn’t invent the wheel when it comes to snickerdoodles, but it’s probably no surprise that the Rachel Cooks version involves ALL butter (no shortening) and extra cinnamon.
  • Great Snack: A snickerdoodle goes really well with a cup of tea or coffee, or a tall glass of cold milk. Kids love them in lunchboxes. They are nut-free which is a bonus for my household.
  • One Bowl Recipe! Whenever possible, we’ll leave you with the fewest dirty dishes possible!

What You’ll Need

  • Butter: Because there are so few ingredients in a good sugar cookie, butter is an essential element. Good-tasting butter makes the cookies taste good, it’s that simple. Make sure the butter is at room temperature. If it’s ice cold, it won’t blend properly.
  • Sugar: Plain white granulated sugar is also necessary. It provides a crunchy texture and sweetness.
  • Eggs: A couple of eggs bind the cookie dough together and helps keep the cookies soft.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: Pretty much every cookie recipe requires vanilla. It’s the background flavor that provides just the right note.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Just regular flour. Don’t substitute bread flour (the cookies will be too hard) or cake flour (the cookies will be too soft). Read the tip below to learn how to properly measure flour.
  • Cream of Tartar: A dry white powder that is usually found in the baking aisle along with the spices, dried herbs, and seasoning, cream of tartar is acidic and gives the cookies a unique tang. Read more about that in the FAQ section.
  • Baking Soda: Baking soda interacts with the cream of tartar to leaven the cookies, making them slightly airy, soft and chewy.
  • Salt: A pinch of salt keeps the cookies from tasting bland.
  • Cinnamon & Sugar, For Rolling the Cookies: Each cookie dough ball is rolled in a cinnamon and sugar mixture which adds another snickerdoodle signature touch.
Ingredients needed for recipe including eggs, butter, cinnamon, flour.

Roll up your sleeves and let’s get baking! Preheat your oven and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat for easy cleanup. Scroll down for the full printable recipe!

The cookies can be made with an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer. You can use arm power instead but you’ll need to use some muscles.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend together the sugar and butter, beating for a few minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla, blending them into the sugar/butter mixture.

Add Dry Ingredients: Now, most cookie recipes will tell you to measure out the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, mix them, and then add them to the butter mixture. I question why you need an additional bowl to do that, just one more bowl to wash!

Measure out the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt, adding them right to the original bowl. Mix just the dry ingredients with your fingertips or a spoon, right on top of the butter mixture.

Dry ingredients on top of wet ingredients.

Now stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Don’t overstir! Tough cookies will be the result. Mix the two together until just blended. Perfect!

To chill the dough or not to chill the dough, that is the question. The cookies turn out just fine either way. If you don’t have time right now to bake them, go ahead and chill the dough. If you would like to get them in the oven pronto, go ahead and bake them. It’s your choice!

Cookie dough balls being rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Roll: To bake the cookies, scoop out the dough (about one and a half tablespoons), and form it into balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture and place them on the cookie sheet. They’ll spread so allow some room in between.

Bake: Bake the cookies until they are just done, about 10 minutes. They’ll be set (firm) but not brown. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then use a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cookies on a cooling rack.

FAQs

Why are they called snickerdoodles?

“Snickerdoodle” is a rather unique word, isn’t it? Is it a small laugh or a silly drawing? Or a drawing of someone laughing? According to The Joy of Cooking (and Wikipedia), the name is German in origin but the Oxford English Dictionary believes the word’s origin is uncertain and more or less just a fun word someone made up.

What’s the difference between a sugar cookie and a snickerdoodle?

One simple ingredient sets a snickerdoodle apart from a regular sugar cookie: cream of tartar. Cream of tartar isn’t creamy as you might guess. It’s a white powder that is an acidic byproduct of wine fermentation (tartaric acid).

Why do you need to put cream of tartar in these cookies?

Cream of tartar gives the cookies a slightly acidic flavor which is a trademark of the cookie. Moreover, cream of tartar gives the cookie a soft texture and is a leavening agent when teamed up with baking soda.

Can I use baking powder instead of cream of tartar?

Yes, you can make these cookies without cream of tartar but keep in mind that the cookies will lose their iconic tart flavor. For this recipe, use 2 teaspoons of baking powder instead of the cream of tartar.

Why did my snickerdoodles get hard?

When cookies turn out too hard, the culprit is often dough that’s been overmixed. Once you add the dry ingredients, stir just until the flour mixture is incorporated into the butter/sugar mixture. Don’t be tempted to keep stirring.
Use the correct type of flour. Most cookies call for all-purpose flour; if you happen to substitute bread flour, your cookies may be too hard.

How To Measure Flour Correctly

Often home bakers make the mistake of inadvertently adding too much flour, resulting in hard dry cookies. Measure the flour accurately. Don’t scoop the flour with your measuring cup. Spoon it lightly into a dry measuring cup (not one with a pouring spout that is used for measuring liquids) and level the flour off with a knife. Tapping or shaking the measuring cup to level the flour causes  the flour to settle and you’ll end up with more flour than you need.

Make It Your Own

Snickerdoodle cookie held in a hand.

Storage Tips

  • Cool First: Cool baked cookies completely before storing. Any residual heat will turn to steam once you put the cookies in an airtight container, and steam will make the cookies soggy or even moldy eventually.
  • Storing Baked Cookies: Baked cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for at least a week or in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. Snickerdoodles freeze well, too. They can be frozen for two to three months.
  • Storing Unbaked Dough: The dough can be refrigerated for two to four days, wrapped securely, or it can be frozen for up to two months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
  • Freezing Unbaked Dough: You can also freeze individual dough balls. Wait to roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture until you’re ready to bake them. Freeze the balls individually on a tray or baking sheet for an hour or so, then pop them into a freezer bag. You can take out as many as you need to bake them. There’s no need to thaw the dough balls but add a minute or two to the baking time.

More Cinnamon Love

Be sure to check out:

Recipe

Snickerdoodle Recipe

4.36 from 203 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 36 servings
This is the best snickerdoodle recipe – these cinnamon sugar cookies are deliciously soft and chewy with the perfect crisp edge.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

for cookies:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For rolling:

  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400ºF. If desired, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter and sugar and use an electric or a stand mixer to beat for 2-3 minutes or until fluffy.
  • Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined.
  • On top of the wet ingredients, add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gently mix those together before mixing into the wet ingredients. Mix until combined, do not overmix. (See note regarding chilling dough.)
  • In a small bowl or plate, combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
  • Use a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop to scoop out dough and roll into balls. Roll in cinnamon sugar mixture and place on cookie sheet. Place cookies about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until set. Be careful not to overbake. Let cool for 1-2 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to a week, in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks, or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
  • To Chill or Not To Chill: I tested this recipe both ways. I found that chilled dough had a slightly increased bake time but did not change the appearance, taste, or texture of the cookies. If you prefer to use chilled dough, go for it, but I didn’t find it necessary for this recipe.
  • I like to add ¼ – ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg to the dough. It’s not a classic snickerdoodle flavor but people seem to love it. It will give your cookies an edge over the ordinary.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 121kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 51mg, Potassium: 37mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 171IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
Holiday Quick-Start Guide

Get my Holiday

Quick-Start Guide!

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

4.36 from 203 votes (203 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

53 Comments

  1. Sarah Pates says:

    I love this recipe so much! I’ve made this recipe many times and every time the cookies turn out amazing! Definitely recommend!!!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      So glad to hear it! It’s one of our favorite recipes, too!

  2. cheryl says:

    why cant i use salted butter?

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      You definitely can, but you may want to reduce the salt in the recipe by a little bit.

  3. Patti says:

    I have not made my grandmother’s snickerdoodles in years, so I thought I’d look at recipes online to see if anyone had gotten fancy with the concept. Browning the butter? Aging the dough?

    Nope, this easy recipe is the same as hers, so I know they’ll turn out well.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Ahhh I love that so much! I hope you love the cookies!

  4. Mike says:

    I’m in the UK and came across Snickerdoodles on a recent trip to the USA and loved them. Had a go at making them using this recipe (once I figured out the cups conversion!) and they were great and took me back to a great holiday.

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      So glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

  5. ava says:

    this recipe kind of sucked. the cookie dough was too runny and it got all over the inside of my oven. 

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      This dough shouldn’t be even close to runny. Are you sure you used the correct amounts of all of the ingredients?

  6. Eliza Lopez says:

    Could you bake using a convection oven? Should I lower the temperature to 375?

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I haven’t tested them that way, let me know if you give it a try!

    2. dakora says:

      how did they turn out???

      1. Sheri says:

        I used convection oven for 9:30 minutes at 400….perfect!

        1. Rachel Gurk says:

          Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

  7. Jackie Wessels says:

    I just made the snickerdoodles! They turned out perfect !!! 

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      So glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment, Jackie!

  8. Zaidee Barclay says:

    How long is it?? 
    And how dose it have no sugars??????

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Hi Zaidee, these cookies do have sugar in both the dough and then the cinnamon sugar mixture you roll them in. 1 1/2 cups in the dough, 3 tablespoons in the cinnamon sugar mixture. You will bake them for 10 minutes (or until set) as directed in the recipe card. I hope that helps!

  9. Yelly says:

    These are the best snickerdoodles I’ve ever made. They came out PERFECT . And they taste fantastic. I did chill the dough for about 30 minutes, just to harden it up a bit. But overall delicious

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Oh I’m so glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment. :)

  10. Amy Gottman says:

    Oriental 5 spice is really good as well

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Ooooh I bet that’s so yummy!

      1. Sheri says:

        Royal Cinnamon from Burlap and Barrel is incredible!  It is sweet enough on its own.

        1. Rachel Gurk says:

          Good to know!