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!

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  • 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

Can I refrigerate snickerdoodle cookie dough overnight? ›

Yes! Prepare the snickerdoodle cookie dough, scoop it, roll it in sugar, and refrigerate it overnight. Cookie dough that's been in the fridge for longer than 2 hours should sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking, to take the chill off.

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.

What's 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 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.

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. This will help keep your batch from “Spreading” and coming out of the oven looking like flat, not-so-cookie-like puddles.

How to keep snickerdoodles from getting hard? ›

The secret's in the ratio of butter to leavener to flour to egg. Don't use shortening here; you'll miss the flavor of butter. Slightly under-baking the snickerdoodles also guarantees a softer cookie. Take them out of the oven after about 10-11 minutes.

Why do snickerdoodles come out flat? ›

Snickerdoodles can come out flat if 1) the baking powder you used is on the old side and no longer work, and 2) if you baked them at a lower temperature. First, figure out if it's your leavener. First, test the baking powder by adding a pinch of it to a bowl of hot water.

Can I bake cookies straight from the fridge? ›

The cookie baked from room temperature, being thinner, has a more uniform texture, while the one baked straight from the fridge. is thick enough to accommodate a softer interior. and crispier exterior. No contest. Generally speaking, you should chill your cookie dough before baking it.

Why do my snickerdoodles come out 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.

Why is my snickerdoodle 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.

Why do my snickerdoodles sink in the middle? ›

Cakes sink in the middle due to several factors, including overmixing of the batter, opening the oven door too soon, or not baking at the right temperature. Expired leavening agents or incorrect proportions of ingredients can also cause sinking.

Is powdered sugar or granulated sugar better for cookies? ›

Powdered sugar has a much finer texture and a higher cornstarch content, which can absorb moisture and lead to a drier, crumbly cookie texture. If you use powdered sugar in place of granulated sugar, you'll likely end up with cookies that are more cake-like and less chewy.

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.

What is the purpose of cream of tartar in cookies? ›

Cream of tartar makes cookies chewy, as it precludes the sugar in the dough from crystalizing, which would lead to crispiness (ie: the opposite of chewiness).

What happens if you add too much cream of tartar? ›

“Too much cream of tartar will impart a metallic, tin-like taste,” Molly warns.

What happens if you leave out cream of tartar in cookies? ›

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.

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