The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - Cookies for Days (2024)

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I have been on the hunt for the best snickerdoodle recipe. I kept coming up empty, so I decided to create it. Hello, favorite snickerdoodles!

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The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - Cookies for Days (1)

Why this is the Best Snickerdoodle Recipe

When it comes to snickerdoodle cookies, I am *extremely* picky. To me, the best snickerdoodle cookie is one that is soft and ultra chewy. The base of the cookie should be able to stand on its own, but is absolutely amplified by the deliciously cinnamony-sugar coating on the outside. They should have a nice golden crisp on the exterior and a little bit of spread to keep them from being too poofy.

If this is also your definition of the best snickerdoodle recipe, then consider it your lucky day because that is the exact cookie this recipe will give you. This may sound presumptuous, but you’re going to want to go ahead and just double this recipe (they freeze great!)

What is a Snickerdoodle?

A Snickerdoodle is a classic American cookie characterized by its soft, chewy interior, a tangy undertone, and a slightly crisp exterior coated in cinnamon sugar.

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Best Snickerdoodle ingredients

Cookie Base

  • Salted butter softened – I always, always use salted butter. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use unsalted and add an extra pinch of salt to the dough.
  • Margarine softened – For the margarine, you want to buy the cheap, store brand sticks of margarine. No spreadable tub, no imperial or blue bonnet! If you can’t find any other margarine, you can just sub butter and use all butter. The cookies won’t spread quite as much but they will still be tasty. For more info on why I’m specific about my margarine, check out my post on Butter vs. Margarine!
  • Granulated sugar – The base of this cookie is a sugar cookie base, so we don’t need brown sugar here.
  • Egg
  • Light corn syrup – This is what makes these cookies ultra chewy.
  • vanilla extract
  • All purpose flour
  • baking soda – The soda helps promote spreading and browning on the edges.
  • salt

Cinnamon- Sugar Mixture

  • Granulated sugar
  • Cinnamon
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How to make the Best Snickerdoodles

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together the butter, margarine and granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture (approximately 2 minutes).
  3. Scrape the sides and add the egg, corn syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
  4. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  5. Portion out the dough into desired size. For small cookies, use 1 1/2 tbsp of dough or a #40 scoop. For larger cookies, use 3 tbsp of dough or a #24 scoop.
  6. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  7. Roll each cookie dough ball into the cinnamon and sugar mixture and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake at 350° F for 9-11 minutes or until the cookies have spread and the centers no longer look glossy. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes.
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Best Snickerdoodle Recipe variations

One of my favorite things to add is toffee. If this sounds like something you need to try, check out my toffee doodle recipeand thank me later!

How to store the Best Snickerdoodle

Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 3-5 days! These cookies also freeze really well and can be stored in a resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months!

The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe FAQs

Sugar Cookie vs Snickerdoodle

For a long time I wondered if there was even a difference between sugar cookies and snickerdoodles and if I could just roll sugar cookie dough in cinnamon sugar. While you definitely can do that, you will be missing out on some of the textbook yumminess of a classic snickerdoodle. Snickerdoodles contain an ingredient called Cream of Tartar that give your cookie a subtle tang. Additionally, they usually have a nice crisp edge without sacrificing the soft interior. If you opt for a sugar cookie dough, you’ll miss the tang and the exterior texture – which is a huge shame in my book.

What is the purpose of rolling the dough in cinnamon sugar?

The delicious cinnamon-sugar coating is the textbook feature of a delicious snickerdoodle. You can use this base recipe for a yummy sugar cookie if you’d like though!

Why don’t my snickerdoodles crack?

Cracks on the surface of snickerdoodles are a signature look. If yours aren’t cracking, your oven may not be hot enough or your ingredients may not be fresh enough!

Are snickerdoodles supposed to be undercooked?

I always recommend slightly underbaking your cookies and then letting them finish baking through cooling on the pan. This will ensure you don’t overbake your cookies and end up with a dry, hard cookie!

Why are my snickerdoodles flat and crispy?

Boo! Crispy snickerdoodles are NOT where it’s at. Double check your oven temperature is correct – an oven that isn’t hot enough can cause the butter to melt from the dough too quickly and over-spread.

Then, ensure you are not overbaking your cookie. You want to remove snickerdoodles before the edges start to turn golden to ensure they stay nice and chewy.

Finally, check the expiration dates on your ingredients! You’ll be amazed by how using fresh ingredients can help your cookies rise & puff up just like they’re intended to.

The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - Cookies for Days (5)

More Amazing Recipes like this Best Snickerdoodle Recipe!

  • Butterscotch Cookies
  • Salted Caramel Cookies
  • Almond Joy Cookies

The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - Cookies for Days (6)

The Best Snickerdoodle Recipe

I have been on the hunt for the best snickerdoodle recipe. I kept coming up empty, so I decided to create it. Hello, favorite snickerdoodles!

3 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Servings: 32 small cookies

Calories: 78kcal

Ingredients

Cookie Base

  • 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup margarine*, softened Buy the cheap, store brand sticks of margarine. No spreadable tub, no imperial or blue bonnet! If you can’t find any other margarine, you can just sub butter and use all butter. The cookies won’t spread quite as much but they will still be tasty.
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp (heaping) cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  • Cream together the butter, margarine and granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture.

  • Scrape the sides and add the egg, corn syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.

  • Portion out the dough into desired size. For small cookies, use 1 1/2 tbsp of dough or a #40 scoop. For larger cookies, use 3 tbsp of dough or a #24 scoop.

  • In a small bowl, combine the ingredients in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

  • Roll each cookie dough ball into the cinnamon and sugar mixture and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake at 350° F for 10 – 13 minutes or until the cookies have spread and the centers no longer look glossy. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes.

Find Cookies for Days on Instagram!Follow @cookiesfordaaays for new recipes daily!

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

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The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe - Cookies for Days (2024)

FAQs

Why don't my snickerdoodles crack? ›

If yours aren't cracking, your oven may not be hot enough or your ingredients may not be fresh enough! Are snickerdoodles supposed to be undercooked? I always recommend slightly underbaking your cookies and then letting them finish baking through cooling on the pan.

Why are my snickerdoodles hard? ›

Snickerdoodles might turn out hard if they are overbaked or if the dough is too dry. Be sure to keep an eye on them as they bake – when the edges are set but the centers are still soft and puffy, they are done. Also, make sure you're not adding too much flour.

How to tell when snickerdoodles are done? ›

Remember that cookies do continue to bake and set up when you remove them from the oven and they sit on the tray. I usually only need 11-12 minutes to bake my snickerdoodle cookies. You will know they are done when they are puffy and beginning to set around the edges of the cookie.

Can I leave cream of tartar out of a cookie recipe? ›

You can also simply leave out the cream of tartar from a recipe, which may result in baked goods that are not as fluffy, but will still work out and taste good.

What is a substitute for cream of tartar in snickerdoodles? ›

You can either replace cream of tartar with baking powder at a 1:1.5 ratio (1 teaspoon cream of tartar : 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder), or you can replace cream of tartar with the combination of baking soda and either lemon juice or vinegar (as with this recipe).

Are snickerdoodles supposed to be soft when they come out of the oven? ›

They puff in the oven and then settle back down while cooling into a soft, thick, supremely chewy cookie with a gorgeous crinkly top. They've received nothing but rave reviews! Snickerdoodle is sort of a strange name, yes?

Why are my snickerdoodles coming out flat? ›

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

Why do my cookies go flat after I take them out of the oven? ›

If your cookies come out of the oven looking flat, you may not have adequately chilled the dough before baking. Chilling times may vary depending on the cookie you're making, but you should typically chill cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours before you pop it in the oven.

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

Cornstarch Is The Secret To Soft And Chewy Cookies.

Why do snickerdoodles taste weird? ›

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. If using cream of tartar, the cookies will have a slightly tangy flavor.

How do you thicken snickerdoodle cookie dough? ›

Soft – Dough that's “soft” or “runny” can be thickened by adding one or two tablespoons of flour to your mix.

What size cookie dough scoop for snickerdoodles? ›

I used a #30 scoop for my chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, apricot molasses, sugar, peanut butter, and snickerdoodle cookies, and they all baked pretty uniformly and produced 2.5″ cookies. I used a #40 scoop for my red velvet cookies, because they puff up and expand quite a bit.

Are my snickerdoodles underbaked? ›

Here are some signs to look out for: Colour: Raw or undercooked cookies tend to have a pale appearance, lacking that golden or slightly browned hue that indicates they're fully baked. Watch for cookies that still have a doughy or unbaked look. Texture: Touch the surface of the cookies gently.

What happens if you forget baking soda in snickerdoodles? ›

Well, it's because soda is the most important ingredient for giving your cookies their texture. If you fail to add a teaspoon of baking soda or however much your recipe needs, the cookies won't have those bubbles inside them to rise up.

What happens if you omit cream of tartar? ›

A frosting without crystalized sugar is a lot creamier, and any batter or meringue with stabilized egg whites yields a fluffier end result, The Spruce Eats explains. Without cream of tartar, you'll get the same baked good in the end, but the consistency may not be as flawless.

Can I skip using cream of tartar? ›

In some recipes, you can leave out cream of tartar if there is no suitable replacement. You can simply omit cream of tartar from the recipe if you're making whipped egg whites, syrups, frostings, or icings.

What is a good substitute for cream of tartar? ›

What is a Good Replacement for Cream of Tartar? A good replacement for cream of tartar in baking is 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice for every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.

What happens if you don t put cream of tartar in sugar cookies? ›

Adding it to cake or cookie batters prevents sugar from banding together and crystallizing, meaning that it results in more of a tender chew—snickerdoodles and sugar cookies wouldn't be the same without cream of tartar. The same effect is why it's added to some frostings and syrups, where it helps keep things smooth.

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