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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.
Yes, yes, yes! This IS the best Snickerdoodle recipe!!!!!
So happy you think so 🙂 Thank you!
good cookies SnickerD’s
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for trying them!
Making them now! I’ll keep you pos.ted 😆
Hope you liked them!
Turned out poofy and nice…but it’s impossible to not taste the baking soda. I will use 3/4 or 1/2 amount next time.
Thanks for trying them!
Stop looking for any other recipe! Perfect!
Awe, thank you for saying that!
They are delicious. I thought they had a little too much cinnamon, but that is just my preference. Don’t be alarmed that they don’t look ready when you take them out of the oven they will deflate and sturdy up as they cool.
Thank you for trying them!! Happy you liked them!
Taste is better as they cool. Still for some reason they are very thin like paper. Can anyone tell me why?
There are a few reasons cookies might spread more…over-mixing the butter, sugar, it might need a little more time in the fridge, & google has a couple more reasons. Not sure if those were any of the reasons, but I hope that helps!
Hello! I just quickly wanted to step in and give a tip. If you would like thicker cookies add in about 1-3 tsp of cornstarch to your dough. This guarantees success for scones and cookies. Good Luck!
https://bakeeatsmilerepeat.com
These were delicious. Just the right balance of chewy and a slight crisp to the tops. Will definitely use this recipe again in the future.
I am happy to hear that! Glad you tried them! Thank you!
I just made snickerdoodles for the first time using your recipe and they turned out great! My friends love them so I put some in a cute container and left them on their doorstep for Christmas. I baked mine for 11 minutes because my oven sometimes likes to underbake things, but next time I’ll follow your advice and bake for a shorter amount of time. They’re still really good, but a little crunchier than I’d prefer. Thank you for the recipe – happy holidays!
You are so welcome! I am glad you tried this recipe 😉
I made these for my dad afew months ago and they are amazing!! He requests them at least once a week now. He just got home from the hospital this evening and this was the first thing he asked for. Thank you for a tried and true recipe!!!
I love that!! Tell him thank you & thank you for sharing the recipe!
I made these today for Christmas. Super Good!!