Home » Cookies » Best Snickerdoodle Recipe
posted by Liz Berg
on November 25, 2013 (updated 2/1/23)
This is the Best Snickerdoodle Recipe! Soft, chewy, and buttery, they’re perfect to eat with a cup of hot coffee or tea!
An Easy Snickerdoodle Recipes, there’s no excuse not to add them to your baking list this week! Adding half butter instead of all shortening, the classic cinnamon-sugar coating, and the perfect puff make these blue-ribbon worthy.
Table of Contents hide
1 Why You Must Make
2 Ingredient Notes
3 How to Make
4 Expert Tips
5 Frequently Asked Questions
6 You May Also Like:
7 The Best Snickerdoodles
Why You Must Make
- Unlike snickerdoodles made with all shortening, these winners have the flavor of butter (or brown butter if you want to go the extra mile).
- This is an old-fashioned cookie recipe. If you’re a fan of sugar cookies, you’ll enjoy this recipe.
- Cookies make a great gift. Whether to welcome a new neighbor, celebrate a new baby, or deliver as part of a meal for an ailing friend, everyone loves homemade cookies!
We were heading down to Indiana University to treat my youngest and his roomies to another dinner on the town. I imagine after 3 months of cooking for themselves, any alternative to their skimpy recipe repertoire would be welcome. I’m not sure I’d find any of their home-cooked meals actually edible, and there are rumors that Nick has been designated (demoted to?) dishwasher duties.
Not sure he’s mastered much as far as cooking. It was my motherly duty to bring the boys some cookies. I packed up both these Snickerdoodles rolled in cinnamon and sugar and the super decadent Double Chocolate Cookies I posted last week. I bet you’d also enjoy these Brown Butter Toffeedoodle Cookies!
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Sugar, Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Cinnamon
- Eggs – Have at room temperature
- Butter – Salted is fine
- Shortening – Helps the cookies stay puffy
- Vanilla – Use real vanilla extract, never artificially flavored
- Cream of Tartar – Assists in making the crackled exterior
How to Make
- Always preheat your oven first unless your dough needs chilling.
- With a mixer, cream together the butter, shortening and sugar.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla.
- Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined.
- Scoop out a tablespoon of dough and shape them into balls.
- Make the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Roll dough balls in the mixture.
- Place about 2 inches apart on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake as directed or till set.
- Remove immediately to a cooling rack.
Expert Tips
- Pro-Tip: You may freeze the dough balls by placing them on a baking sheet (mine were already rolled in the cinnamon sugar), then freeze until hard (an hour or so) to bake later. Remove to a freezer-strength Ziploc bag and store them in the freezer until you want fresh cookies. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, and bake as directed. Since the defrosted dough is cold, the cookies may take an extra couple of minutes in the oven. You may also want to roll them a second time in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
- Use a cookie disher to make all the cookies the same size. This will help them finish baking at the same time, too.
- Don’t skip the cream of tartar as that helps them crackle by giving them a boost of leavening power.
- Measure out the cinnamon and sugar for rolling. It’s a key component of snickerdoodles so you’ll want enough cinnamon but not too much!
- As with all my cookie recipes, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy clean-up.
- Pro-Tip: Try making these with cooled brown butter, too, which gives them a subtle nutty nuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are these Called Snickerdoodles?
Around since the late 1800s, these cookies may have German roots. There is no definitive answer, but they could be named for a crunchy German noodle, Schneckennudhel.
What Does the Cream of Tartar Do?
In snickerdoodles, the cream of tartar adds a tangy flavor and prevents the sugar from crystallizing, which would make the cookies crunchy. It also works with baking soda, helping to leaven the cookies which allows them to puff up and then crackle when they deflate a bit.
What is Brown Butter?
Brown butter orBeurre noisetteis made by cooking unsalted butter long enough to brown the milk solids and evaporate any water. The flavor is nutty in flavor and aroma. It’s used to drizzle on vegetables, fish, and chicken, cook omelets and enhance baked goods like these snickerdoodles!
How Do You Store Snickerdoodles?
Snickerdoodles can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days. After that, they will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months as long as they’re kept airtight.
Why Didn’t My Snickerdoodles Crackle?
Yes! This happened to me! After baking these numerous times over the years, this batch did not have the classic crackled surface that snickerdoodles are known for. They tasted just fine, but I had to figure out what happened!
The most probable reason is old baking soda and cream of tartar. My cream of tartar had expired! Using all butter and no shortening makes a tastier cookie, but they’ll crackle best with all shortening. I compromise and use half butter and half shortening.
You May Also Like:
- Chewy Gingersnaps
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Danish
- Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
- Plus, More Easy Cookie Recipes
Stay in touch through social media@Instagram,Facebook, andPinterest. Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes! And if you love the results, please give it a 5-star rating in the recipe card.
The Recipe:
The Best Snickerdoodles
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Yield3 1/2 dozen
A classic snickerdoodle! A soft, chewy sugar cookie rolled in cinnamon sugar!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Dash of salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º.
- With a mixer, cream together butter (or cooled brown butter), shortening, and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Mix till combined.
- Scoop out a tablespoon of dough and shape it into balls.
- Mix the 2 tablespoons of sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll dough balls in the mixture.
- Place about 2 inches apart on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or till set. Remove immediately to a cooling rack.
Notes
Room temperature butter and eggs will incorporate into the dough more easily.
For a subtle nutty twist, try using cooled brown butter instead of regular butter.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
21Serving Size:
2 cookies
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 206Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 144mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 2g
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?
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Cookies Desserts
posted by Liz Berg on November 25, 2013
37 Comments // Leave a Comment »
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Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes — Reply
The brown butter is the main attraction probably, but that roll in good cinnamon is the cherry on the cake Liz! We have such a crappy cinnamon here, and though I can go to specialized places and get the good stuff, i still have some I brought from the US. This recipe puts it to good use! And a good cause!
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Jed Gray (sportsglutton) — Reply
Happy Turkey Day to you and yours Liz!!!
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Kaylin — Reply
In my oatmeal is my favorite way to use cinnamon.
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Jennifer Eloff — Reply
An old favorite. I’m sure your son, Nick, appreciated it as well as his roomies. I’m pretty sure Tina was happy too. 🙂
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Ramona — Reply
Yay!! Ceylon Cinnamon… that is from my homeland…. Sri Lanka!! I won’t participate in the drawing since I want someone to get try it and see how fabulous it is. 🙂
Thanks you for helping out with this cause to help out in the Philippines!
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Cherry — Reply
i love to use cinnamon to make plum cake
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Chris Merulla — Reply
I love to add cinnamon to my oatmeal in the morning or sprinkle it on hot rice with either butter or milk.
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Ash-foodfashionparty — Reply
Gorgeous yummy cookies, enjoy it.
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Nancy Connolly — Reply
I love cinnamon I use it in my oatmeal, in my coffee, and whenever I can.
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Kristina — Reply
Oo these are what Im most looking forward to at Christmas! I cannot wait for Christmas cookies 🙂 These sound amazing, and a great cause, have a happy Thanksgiving Liz!
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Maureen | org*smic Chef — Reply
Have a wonderful time! Lovely cookies – perfect for this.
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The Ninja Baker — Reply
My favorite way to use cinnamon is in spice cakes…But once I make your snickerdoodles, Liz, your cookies may be moving into the number one spot!
On a more serious note – So lovely of you to bake up these beauties for the Philippines typhoon survivors <3
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Emily @ Life on Food — Reply
Cinnamon in baked goods is the best. I love pairing it with chocolate.
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My Kitchen Stories — Reply
You can offer this up to me any old time. They look delicious
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theresa krier — Reply
oatmeal raisin cookies
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Mr. & Mrs. P — Reply
Love snickerdoodle cookies! Bet the browned butter gives it such a better flavor!
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Heather B — Reply
I love using cinnamon in my cinnamon rolls of course.
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Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction — Reply
Lizzy,
I don’t know that I have one favorite way to use cinnamon. I love it in fried ice cream, ultimate crumb cake crumbs and apple pie. I will also love it in these snickerdoodles. They look so good and fluffy.
Annamaria -
Tina-PinayinTexas — Reply
Lizzy, thanks so much for being a part of the Online Bake Sale for the Philippines! I truly appreciate all the support!
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Tammy — Reply
I love making a cinnamon pie. The smell of cinnamon in the house is wonderful.
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Laura (Tutti Dolci) — Reply
I love baking with cinnamon and I can think of no better use for it than these snickerdoodles!
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Nancy @ gottagetbaked — Reply
These cookies look incredible, Liz, and you’re definitely donating them to an important cause. I can’t believe the devastation in the Philippines right now.
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Barbara Bradford — Reply
I love adding cinnamon to my oatmeal every morning.
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Sandra — Reply
I use cinnamon most in my Sweet Potato Pound Cakes.
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Di — Reply
Love cinnamon in my crumb cake!
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Choc Chip Uru — Reply
These snicker doodles look perfect, soft and chewy 😀
Cheers
CCU -
Graham Blackall | Glazed & Confused — Reply
Oh god. My mouth is watering.
I can seriously taste them already! -
Lizzy (Good Things) — Reply
Great post, great cause!
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Denise Browning@From Brazil To You — Reply
I love anything with cinnamon…These cookies look so delish, Liz!!! I hope you are enjoying your time in Virginia.
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yummychunklet — Reply
These look fantastic and for such a great cause.
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Kayle (The Cooking Actress) — Reply
yayyyy browned butter makes everything amazing!!!
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Kelly — Reply
Your youngest and his room mates must have been so thrilled when they saw these wonderful cookies along with the Double Chocolate ones. Love snickerdoodles and I can imagine how much more special they taste with brown butter too. What a great cause too Liz, that’s wonderful that you are participating and helping to spread the word. Hopping on over to show my support. Hope you have a wonderful week!
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Evelyne@cheapethniceatz — Reply
Ha ha ha demoted to dishwasher duties, funny and but poor guy. These cookies look wonderful, love anything with cinnamon in it. And yay Canada can participate. Good luck with the charity bake sale.
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Stephanie C — Reply
Your snickerdoodles look fantastic! Going home to make them this evening. Would love to win cinnamon – I sprinkle it in my morning coffee.
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Stephanie-Oh — Reply
I add cinnamon when I brew coffee. Love cinnamon in baked goods:cookies, pies(fruit).
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Rachel McGuire — Reply
I love to use cinnamon in cookies, cakes, with sugar on toast, in hot cider in endless recipes.
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itzia — Reply
I love using cinnamon in tea
