Best Snickerdoodles Recipe

The Best Snickerdoodles Recipe: Soft, Cinnamon-Sugary Goodness

Soft, pillowy cookies dusted with cinnamon sugar make this best snickerdoodles recipe a true delight for anyone with a sweet tooth.

These classic treats bring comfort and nostalgia to every bite.

Buttery and tender, they melt in your mouth with a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth.

Home bakers adore how simple yet spectacular these cookies can be.

The delicate crackle on top hints at the deliciousness waiting inside.

Crisp edges and a chewy center create a texture that keeps people coming back for more.

You’ll want to share these irresistible snickerdoodles with everyone you know.

Why Snickerdoodles Are Always a Family Favorite

  • Indulge in Decadence: Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes combine the ultimate comfort of cookie dough with classic cake, creating a mind-blowing dessert that satisfies multiple sweet cravings in one bite.
  • Customize with Creativity: Swap out chocolate chips or M&Ms for your favorite mix-ins, making this recipe perfect for personalization and matching different flavor preferences.
  • Kid-Friendly Fun: Engaging baking project that lets children help roll cookie dough balls and sprinkle toppings, turning dessert preparation into a delightful family activity.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Ideal for potlucks, birthday parties, and gatherings where you want to impress guests with a unique and nostalgic treat that brings instant smiles.
Main Ingredients:
  • Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the snickerdoodle cookies.
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the cookie's golden color and crisp edges.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's soft texture.
Leavening and Seasoning:
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
  • Cinnamon: Gives the classic snickerdoodle its signature warm, spicy flavor.
Coating:
  • Sugar (for rolling): Creates a sweet, crispy exterior with a delightful crunch when the cookies are baked.

Steps for Baking Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get a baking sheet ready. No need to grease the sheet.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and sift together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Set this mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, blend butter and sugar until the mixture turns pale yellow.

This should take about 2-3 minutes of mixing.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Drop eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time.

Beat thoroughly after each addition to ensure everything combines smoothly.

Step 5: Combine Flour Mixture

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Add about half a cup at a time, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Step 6: Create Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, mix together:
  • Sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Step 7: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into small balls, each about 1-3/4 inches in diameter.

Step 8: Coat Cookies

Roll each dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 9: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place cookie balls about 3 inches apart on the ungreased baking sheet.

Step 10: Bake Cookies

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 9-10 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.

  • Use exact measurements for flour, sugar, and other ingredients to ensure consistent, perfect cookie texture every time.
  • Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve a smooth, fluffy base for your cookies.
  • Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier snickerdoodles.
  • Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform cookie balls, guaranteeing consistent baking and professional-looking results.
  • Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking to prevent over-browning and maintain a soft, tender center.
  • Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles: Replace wheat flour with almond or oat flour for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Cinnamon Cookies: Swap butter for coconut oil and use flax eggs instead of regular eggs to create a plant-based alternative.
  • Reduced Sugar Snickerdoodles: Substitute part of the sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie option.
  • Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodles: Fold in mini chocolate chips to the dough before rolling in cinnamon-sugar for an extra flavor burst.

Pairings to Enjoy With Snickerdoodle Cookies

  • Pair Comforting Chai Tea: Warm, spicy chai tea complements the cinnamon notes in snickerdoodles, creating a harmonious flavor experience that enhances the cookie's sweet and spicy profile.
  • Complement with Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve snickerdoodles alongside creamy vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast between warm, crisp cookies and cold, smooth dessert that melts in your mouth.
  • Match with Caramel Latte: A rich caramel latte provides a luxurious pairing that echoes the cookie's warm cinnamon undertones and adds a sophisticated caffeine kick to your snack moment.
  • Enjoy with Cream Cheese Spread: Create a delightful variation by serving snickerdoodles with a light, tangy cream cheese spread that balances the cookie's sweetness and adds a creamy texture.

Storing Snickerdoodle Cookies for Freshness

  • Store cooled snickerdoodles in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap individual cookies or whole batch in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies on microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds. Check temperature to prevent overcooking. Best used for immediate soft texture restoration.
  • Preheat oven to 300F. Place cookies on baking sheet, warm for 3-5 minutes. Restores crispy edges and maintains original fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

  • What makes snickerdoodles different from sugar cookies?

Snickerdoodles are rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking, giving them a distinct tangy flavor and crackly exterior that sugar cookies don’t have.

  • How do I know when the snickerdoodles are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a soft center. They might seem slightly underbaked, but they’ll continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough, shape into balls, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before rolling in cinnamon-sugar and baking. This can help enhance the flavors.

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Best Snickerdoodles Recipe

Best Snickerdoodles Recipe


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4.5 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Cinnamon-sugar-coated snickerdoodles dance with classic charm, offering pure comfort in each delicate bite. Sweet warmth and nostalgic memories mingle, inviting you to savor childhood’s most beloved cookie companion.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups (595 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoons (2.5 ml) salt

Primary Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs

Sugar and Coating:

  • 2 cups (400 grams) white sugar, divided
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dry ingredients by sifting flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, then set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture turns pale yellow and becomes fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  3. Incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring thorough blending after each addition.
  4. Gradually fold in the flour mixture, adding about 1/2 cup at a time, until a cohesive dough forms.
  5. Create a separate coating mixture by combining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  6. Form the dough into uniform balls, approximately 1-3/4 inches in diameter.
  7. Roll each dough ball completely in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring full coverage.
  8. Arrange coated dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
  9. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9-10 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges as an indicator of doneness. Adjust baking time if needed based on individual oven performance.

Notes

  • Check butter temperature to ensure creamy, smooth texture; let it soften at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing.
  • Avoid overmixing dough to prevent tough cookies; stop mixing once ingredients are just combined for tender, soft snickerdoodles.
  • Use parchment paper or silicone baking mat for easy cookie removal and even browning.
  • Try alternative sugars like coconut sugar for a deeper caramel flavor or for low-glycemic option.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 204 kcal
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 102 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 31 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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