Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies that are soft, chewy, and coated in a delightful cinnamon-sugar crust. Perfectly balanced with a hint of vanilla and cream of tartar to create the signature tangy flavor, these homemade cookies are easy to make and bake to perfection in your oven.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks, softened)
- 1 and 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure cookies don’t stick.
- Make the dough base: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter for a couple of minutes until smooth and creamy. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally.
- Add sugars: Add the granulated sugar and packed brown sugar to the butter. Beat for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and free of lumps, scraping the bowl as needed.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract. Beat well until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Measure flour: Spoon and level the all-purpose flour into your measuring cup carefully to avoid packing. Do not add it to the batter yet.
- Mix dry ingredients: In the measured flour, stir in the baking soda, kosher salt, and cream of tartar using a teaspoon.
- Combine wet and dry: Gently beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Stop mixing while some flour streaks remain. Then use a spatula to scrape down the bowl edges.
- Final mixing: Beat for just a few more seconds until the dough is uniform with no streaks. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape dough balls: Use a large cookie scoop or spoon to form dough balls approximately 1½ to 2 inches in diameter.
- Prepare cinnamon sugar coating: In a small to medium bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Roll each dough ball in this mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place coated dough balls on the lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Typically, 12 fit on an 11×17 inch sheet.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are just set and the centers appear shiny but the rest of the cookie is matte.
- Shape cookies while warm: Immediately after removing from oven, gently push the edges of each cookie toward the center using a spoon to round the shape and thicken the center, creating a chewier texture.
- Cool on the pan: Let the cookies rest on the pan for 3-5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further.
- Extra cinnamon sugar coating: While still warm but cool enough to handle, dip each cookie back into the cinnamon sugar coating on both sides for an enhanced cinnamon-sugar crust.
- Freezing instructions: To freeze dough, shape it into balls, roll in cinnamon sugar, and place in a ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen and add a couple of minutes to the bake time without thawing.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
- Underbaking slightly retains the soft and chewy texture characteristic of snickerdoodles.
- Pressing the cookie edges inward right after baking helps produce a thicker and chewier center.
- Using cream of tartar is essential for the authentic tangy flavor and texture.
- Make sure to spoon and level flour instead of scooping directly from the bin to avoid dense cookies.
- Freezing dough balls in cinnamon sugar allows you to bake fresh cookies anytime with no thawing needed.
Keywords: snickerdoodle, cookies, cinnamon sugar, soft cookies, classic cookies, homemade cookies, dessert