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The Perfect Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe, Made Easy

The Perfect Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe, Made Easy

Soft, chewy snickerdoodle cookies are rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked until the edges are set while the centers remain tender. Cream of tartar gives these classic cookies their signature mild tang.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup (226 g) Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 g) Granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs Large eggs
  • 2 3/4 cups (345 g) All-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 teaspoons Cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fine salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) Granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Beat the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture looks light and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. Whisk the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing only until a soft dough forms.
  6. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl.
  7. Portion the dough into balls using about 1 1/2 tablespoons per cookie, then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  8. Arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Chill the shaped dough for 20–30 minutes if thicker cookies are preferred or if the dough feels sticky.
  9. Bake for 8–10 minutes, removing the cookies when the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.
  10. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Use softened rather than melted butter for better structure and less spreading. Do not overbake; the centers continue setting as the cookies cool. Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container.