Snickerdoodle Recipe (2024)

This soft and chewy Snickerdoodle Recipe is a family favorite. If you love snickerdoodle cookies the way we do, then you’ll want to have this easy snickerdoodle recipe in your collection!

Snickerdoodle Recipe (1)

The Best Snickerdoodle Recipe

For me, a delicious snickerdoodle has a few requirements:

  • Snickerdoodles first and foremost must be soft and chewy. The best snickerdoodle recipe in my opinion has to be a soft snickerdoodle recipe. Crunchy snickerdoodles are a hard pass for this girl. I prefer a soft snickerdoodle, and one that stays soft for days.
  • Next, it has to have a fantastic blend of flavor, with both butter and cinnamon coming through. The perfect snickerdoodle cookies are a delicious and balanced combo of both.
  • Finally, as with almost all of my recipes, I prefer an easy snickerdoodle recipe. This is a cookie, not Honors Pre-Calculus (a current headache in my home), therefore it needs to be simple and easy to make.

This snickerdoodle recipe checks ALL of those boxes.

Snickerdoodle Recipe (2)

Truth be told I didn’t even try a snickerdoodle until about ten years ago. A friend of mine loves the Disneyland snickerdoodles, and asked me to bring her one home when we went for a visit. I searched that entire park for a darn snickerdoodle. Finally a cast member at one of the bakeries told me they had rotated them out for for another cookie at that given moment in time.

So I did what any crazy, obsessed snickerdoodle stalker would do. I came home and set out to make amazing, Disney-worthy, snickerdoodles.

Recipe For Snickerdoodles

A few things to take note of before you start making this snickerdoodle recipe.

Flour

It’s critical that you measure your flour correctly. You want to give your flour a stir, then gently spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off. Check out my all about flour post if you need more details. If you scoop, or don’t level your flour, you will have too much in your recipe.

Chill Your Dough

First, you are going to need to chill your dough. I know, dough chilling can be a pain. I get it. Trust me, I avoid putting into recipes when I can. For this recipe however, it really does make a difference. Chilling the dough gives you a richer tasting cookie that doesn’t spread too much.

Brown Sugar

Second, this recipe uses brown sugar. If you’ve made snickerdoodles before, chances are they just used granulated white sugar. And that’s fine. But brown sugar, it will take your snickerdoodles up a notch.

One time I needed to make snickerdoodles for an event, and like always was doing it at the last minute. Gasp, I was almost completely out of granulated sugar. Brown sugar to the rescue! That was one of the best substitutions I’ve ever made. The depth of flavor is greatly increased and the texture is just a bit softer.

Snickerdoodle Recipe (3)

Cream Of Tartar

Third, this recipe uses cream of tartar. Apologies if you you don’t have it in your pantry at the moment, but it’s really a snickerdoodle staple.

Cream of tartar is an acid, a tartaric acid. It’s used as a leavener, and when combined with baking soda they produce dioxide gas, which is the same gas that is produced by yeast in bread baking. Not only does it help make your cookies wonderfully soft, it also gives a hint of tartness.

If you don’t have any on hand and need to make these snickerdoodle cookies immediately, here’s some substitution advice. Disclaimer, I haven’t tested this snickerdoodle recipe with a substitute, only with cream of tartar.

Snickerdoodle Recipe (4)

Click to pin and save recipe.

Snickerdoodle Recipe (5)

Snickerdoodle Recipe

4.91 from 20 votes

Author Christi Johnstone

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

This soft snickerdoodle recipe produces perfect snickerdoodles that nobody can get enough of. The best snickerdoodle recipe I've tried, it uses both granulated and brown sugar for extra flavor and softness.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 36 cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar light or dark is fine
  • 2 large eggs make sure they are large eggs as they provide moisture for the recipe
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:

  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

  • In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and cream of tartar. Set aside.

  • In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add the eggs, milk and vanilla. Mix well.

  • Stir in the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.

  • Cover bowl (or remove dough from bowl and wrap in plastic wrap) and chill for at least one but not more than 24 hours.

  • When ready to bake, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  • Form the dough into 1 inch balls. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and roll each ball of dough through the cinnamon and sugar mixture to coat well.

    Snickerdoodle Recipe (6)

  • Place on a greased baking sheet or a cookie sheet covered with wax paper or silicone baking mat.

  • Bake 8-10 minutes. Check for the tops to start firming up, and the sides to show a bit of browning. Make sure they are cooked but do not over bake. Allow to cool on baking sheet for at least ten minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

    Snickerdoodle Recipe (7)

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Disclaimer

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this Recipe? Pin it!Mention @LoveFromTheOven or tag #LFTORecipes!

Need more snickerdoodle cookies in your life? I hear ya. I have a few more recipes you’ll want to try! My Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles are always a big hit. My friend Rebecca over at Foodie With Family has a Snickerdoodle Cake recipe that you need in your life. Aimee over at Shugary Sweets has a Snickerdoodle Banana Bread that makes mornings extra delicious. Snickerdoodle Pie? Oh yeah, it’s a thing and Deborah over at Taste and Tell will fill you on in that deliciousness.

Snickerdoodle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between sugar cookies and snickerdoodles? ›

Snickerdoodles are sugar cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar. The cinnamon sugar gives the cookies their distinct flavor, texture, and appearance. Some food historians argue that sugar cookies recipes use baking powder to leaven the cookies, while snickerdoodles recipes use cream of tartar.

Why is it called a snickerdoodle? ›

The Joy of Cooking claims that “snickerdoodle” comes from “Schneckennudel,” a German word that literally means “snail noodles.” Schneckennudels don't have anything to do with snails or noodles, though—they're actually delicious-looking German cinnamon rolls.

What is snickerdoodle flavor? ›

The snickerdoodle flavor is best described as a mix of vanilla and cinnamon with a singular tanginess thanks to the cream of tartar.

Why do my snickerdoodle cookies taste like flour? ›

Improper flour measurement is the #1 cause of your cookie dough being too dry or the cookies tasting like flour.

Why are snickerdoodles so good? ›

Not only is there ample cinnamon-sugar coating on every cookie, but the cinnamon also adds the tiniest hint of spice that balances the sweetness of the cookies really well. The addition of vanilla bean makes them feel a little extra special, although the flavor doesn't overwhelm the cookie.

Why are my snickerdoodles always flat? ›

The Problem: Your Oven Is Too Hot

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot.

Why did my snickerdoodle cookies not flatten? ›

One of the most common reasons why cookies didn't spread out in the oven is because you added too much flour. Cookies rely on the perfect ratio of butter to flour in order to spread just the right amount when baked. It's very easy to over measure flour when using cup measurements.

Why do my snickerdoodle cookies get hard? ›

Snickerdoodles might turn out hard if they are overbaked or if the dough is too dry.

Why are my snickerdoodles raw? ›

Texture and colour: If the cookie crumb is still wet, doughy, or appears raw, the cookies need more time in the oven. Fully cooked cookies should have a slightly dry and crumbly texture.

Why are my snickerdoodles so fluffy? ›

Why are my snickerdoodles puffy? Too much flour - spoon and level the flour correctly how I show it in my chocolate chip cookie post. Inaccurate oven temperature (too hot) - I advise using an oven thermometer for accurate baking results.

Why are my snickerdoodles sour? ›

If your snickerdoodles are too sour, you may have added too much cream of tartar. It does give the cookies a subtle sour-tangy flavor, but it should not be over-powering and should balance nicely with the cinnamon and sugar.

What is a fun fact about snickerdoodles? ›

The cookie is common to Mennonite and Amish communities and was a favorite treat of the Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley. In more recent times, the snickerdoodle cookie has transformed into a popular flavor of desserts, sugary sweets, drinks, candies, etc.

Why do my snickerdoodles taste bitter? ›

Your snickerdoodles may taste bitter if you are sensitive to the taste of cream of tartar. This snickerdoodle cookie recipe without cream of tartar is an excellent option if you fall into that category.

What country are snickerdoodles from? ›

“Snickerdoodles, also called snipdoodles or cinnamon sugar cookies, have been around since the late 1800s. They probably originated in New England and are either of German or Dutch descent.

What's the difference between a snickerdoodle and a regular cookie? ›

Snickerdoodles may be considered a type of sugar cookie but the truth is that they are not prepared in the same way. A proper Snickerdoodle cookie recipe calls for cream of tartar, an ingredient not commonly added to cookie doughs. In fact, cream of tartar is most often added to egg whites when making meringue.

What makes sugar cookies different from other cookies? ›

Often flavored with vanilla, sugar cookies are usually rolled out and cut into shapes using a cutter. They have a high ratio of flour to butter, giving them a sturdier, snappier constitution which means they are well suited to being decorated.

What is another name for sugar cookies? ›

The name Nazareth cookie came from the people of Nazareth, Pennsylvania who came from Germany. The cookie later took on other names in other countries. In England they were called sugar biscuits as well as jumbles. Sugar cookies were also called gemmells, crybabies, gimbletts, cimbellines, jumbles, and plunketts.

What are the four types of cookies? ›

Here are the 4 main types of cookies:
  • Session cookies. These are temporary web cookies that are only present as long as your web browser stays open or your session is active. ...
  • Persistent cookies. ...
  • Third-party cookies. ...
  • First-party cookies. ...
  • User experience. ...
  • Advertising and marketing. ...
  • Analytics and web optimization.
May 22, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 5401

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.