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Super soft and full of cinnamon, this snickerdoodle recipe is one we’ve made for decades that is beyond delicious and NO-FAIL!
A Family Favorite
Snickerdoodle cookies are a classic cookie we have made our whole lives. The family is obsessed with them and fortunately you guys are too! With over 3,000 FIVE STAR reviews, this recipe has been made and enjoyed by thousands of you each year and we cannot tell you how happy that makes us.
This easy cookie recipe was first made by mom decades ago. It was also one of the first recipes we ever shared here on Lil’ Luna. Although we haven’t changed the recipe, we have shared more tips and tricks to make sure it’s NO-FAIL and turns out perfect EVERY TIME.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Perfectly sweet. It’s double-dipped in cinnamon + sugar!
- Pantry staples. The ingredients are simple and found in most kitchens!
- Giftable. They make a great addition to Christmas cookie plates.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 min
COOK TIME: 10 min
Cookie
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – How to Measure Flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar – creates the signature tangy flavor
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter – just softened!
- This is KEY! When you press in finger into the butter, you want it to barely indent. Too hard, and the dough won’t be just right – too soft and your cookies will be flat.
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 whole eggs – room temperature eggs incorporate the best
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Cream of Tartar Substitution
Replace the 2 teaspoons cream of tartar AND the 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar.
How to Make SnickerdoodleS
- BATTER. In a medium bowl, stir the 2¾ cup flour, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer) cream together 1 cup butter (barely softened) and 1½ cups sugar. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix until it is well blended.
- SHAPE. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix well, and then shape the dough into 1-inch balls (no need to chill).
- COAT. In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Roll the dough balls into the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- BAKE. Place on an un-greased pan, and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few additional minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.
To Chill or Not to Chill?
This is the main question we get asked about this snickerdoodle recipe so we decided to test it for you to show the differences. The results speak for themselves!
- CHILLED – the cookie is more poofy, doesn’t have as many cracks on top and does not expand as much.
- CHILLED + FLATTENED – this cookie expanded the most, but became almost too flat
- NOT CHILLED – our preferred method – you can see that the cookie is not too flat, has all the cracks on top and is PERFECT.
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Snickerdoodle Recipe
Ingredients
Snickerdoodle Dough
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, just softened
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, cream together butter (barely softened) and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.
- In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out dough and roll it into a ball. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture – twice.
- Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few additional minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Cover and store the dough from this snickerdoodle recipe in the fridge for 1-2 days. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.
Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Store in a freezer bag, or air-tight container in the freezer for up to 4 months.
This is basically the recipe I use except I use shortening instead of butter.
Isn’t it the best?! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! My Grandmother made these for as long as I can remember (about 50 years?!!!!) They were her signature cookie every Christmas. My family is continuing on the tradition with our own version with buttercream frosting and Christmas sprinkles. They look so festive and the frosting takes this favorite cookie over the top!
Love recipes that remind me of my grandma! Thanks for sharing 🙂
The store pkgs are close but nothing is better than home made. Same as my great grammas sugar cookies. I will go and search my brothers house myself for that one. When I find it I will share it with you. It’s a cake like but oh so darn good. .
Thanks & I agree 🙂
Ok I made these snickerdoodle cookies and they turned out perfect. They are absolutely yummy. I did refrigerate the dough and used parchment paper.
Yay! Glad you liked them! They are a favorite! Thank you so much!
The recipe was amazing only one issue using the suggested measurement of 1 inch balls it doesn’t make anything close to four dozen it makes a little under two dozen so be aware that if you want to make four dozen you may need more of some or all ingredients.
If this isn’t the exact snickerdoodle recipe it’s darn close. My mom’s great grandmother’s recipes were hidden from me when my mom passed last year. I am so glad I came across this one. Cream of tartar is the most important ingredient. Without it all you have are sugar cookies.
I’m so glad you found this, too! You are right about the cream of tartar, it’s key! I sure hope you like these!!
Hi, just wondering what i could do if i doubled the recipe and it’s too mushy to roll in my hands. What can i add?
It shouldn’t be mushy, even when you double the recipe. I hope it worked out! Did you add enough flour?
Cannot see my comment anywhere. Basically, I love the recipe, the cookies are so moreish! But the problems I encounter is that they don’t flatten out so I have ‘ball’ cookies. Also, the bottom of them are very black, look burned, don’t taste it but I cannot serve guests with burnt looking cookies. Any ideas? I’d be very grateful for any suggestions. I’ve tried a plain baking tray, also foil covered and greaseproof paper but it makes no difference to the bottom of the cookies. Any suggestions would be very welcome.
These cookies sound wonderful. How long will the dough keep in the frig before I have to use?
I wouldn’t keep it in there too long, if it’s more than a day or so, I’d just freeze it. I like to make them right away, so I haven’t tried keeping it in there more than half a day.
I just made these for my daughter’s 3rd grade Christmas party at school. But instead of rolling in the Cinnamon and sugar mixture I rolled in colored Christmas sugar. Turned out great!
Perfect idea! I bet they were a hit! Thanks for sharing!
Came out perfectly! Followed directions exactly, the only thing I changed was I put the dough in the fridge for about an hour and cooked for 13 min. Perfect chewy cookie!
Yay! I’m happy to hear that you liked them! They are my favorite snickerdoodle recipe! Thank you!
So good!!!!
Glad you think so!! They are my fav! Thank you!