The best soft Snickerdoodle cookie recipe has been a beloved treat for generations, and it's easy to see why! With their warm, cinnamon-sugar coating and soft, chewy texture, these cookies are the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Whether you're baking them for the holidays, a special treat for your family, or simply indulging in something sweet, this soft Snickerdoodle cookie recipe will not disappoint.
This blog post will guide you through the steps to create the softest, and best snickerdoodles cookies you'll ever taste. Snickerdoodles are one of the first cookies I learned how to bake. As a young wife, my mother-in-law shared her snickerdoodle recipe and advice for achieving the best results. Get ready to bake up some delicious memories!
What Makes the Best Snickerdoodle Cookies?
Before diving into the recipe, it's worth noting what makes Snickerdoodle cookies stand out. A Snickerdoodle is a classic cookie that is typically made with a base of butter, sugar, flour, and eggs, but the secret ingredient that makes these cookies shine is cream of tartar.
Cream of tartar not only helps activate the baking soda but also gives the cookies their signature tangy flavor and chewy texture. Chewy cookies are the best. It has a crisp exterior and soft inside.
In addition to the unique flavor, Snickerdoodles are coated in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before baking, which gives them their golden-brown color and sweet, spicy flavor. When baked just right, the perfect snickerdoodle cookie has the perfect balance of crisp edges and a soft, pillowy center. These cookies are similar to sugar cookies but subtly different.
Tips for the Best Soft Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Achieving the perfect soft Snickerdoodle cookie requires a few key tips and tricks. Here’s how to ensure your cookies come out tender and chewy every time:
Use Room Temp Ingredients
Using butter and eggs at room temperature helps create a smooth dough that will yield a tender cookie. Cold butter can result in dense, hard cookies. Let your butter soften for about 30 minutes before starting, and make sure the eggs are at room temperature as well.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix your ingredients until they’re just combined. This will ensure your Snickerdoodles have a soft, light texture.
Cream of Tartar is a Must
Cream of tartar is an essential ingredient in Snickerdoodles. It helps to create that distinctive tangy flavor and contributes to the soft, chewy texture. Don't skip this ingredient, as it’s the hallmark of Snickerdoodle cookies. Cream of tartar gives the cookies allows the cookies to be soft on the inside.
Chill the Dough
While it's not mandatory, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes to an hour before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in even better-tasting cookies.
Don’t Overbake
To ensure your Snickerdoodles are soft and chewy, take them out of the oven as soon as the edges start to turn golden. The cookies will continue to bake on the hot baking sheet even after you remove them from the oven, which helps them set perfectly without becoming too firm.
The Best Soft Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Now that we’ve covered the tips for perfect Snickerdoodles, it’s time to get baking! Here’s the recipe for the best soft Snickerdoodle cookies that will have everyone asking for more. Grab your cookie sheet.
Ingredients:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon & Sugar Mixture:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the ideal temperature for baking soft Snickerdoodle cookies, as it ensures they cook evenly without becoming too crispy.
Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Stir the mixture well to combine, then set it aside. This cinnamon-sugar mixture will give your cookies that signature sweet, spicy coating.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and 1 ½ cups of sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This process incorporates air into the dough, which helps create that soft texture.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Be sure to add the eggs one at a time. Once both eggs are fully incorporated, add the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix it in. The vanilla will add a subtle bit of flavor to the dough.
Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Once everything is combined, you should have a soft and slightly sticky dough.
Step 6: Chill the Dough (Optional)
If you have time, you can chill the Snickerdoodle cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour. If I am working with a double batch, I will divide dough in half and refrigerate the half I am not rolling into little balls.
Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and results in a thicker, chewier cookie. However, if you're in a rush, you can skip this step.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll the cookie dough balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture until the dough ball is completely coated. Rolling the cookies into balls makes it so much fun for my grandkids. The cinnamon sugar coating provides just the right amount of sweetness. Place the dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can use parchment paper if you prefer.
Step 8: Bake the Snickerdoodles
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, and the centers are just set. To ensure you get the best snickerdoodles, do not overbake the cookies. The cookies will continue to cook a little on the baking sheet after you remove them from the oven, so don’t worry if they look slightly underbaked when you first take them out. Keep in mind the bake time can vary some from oven to oven.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time helps the cookies firm up while maintaining their soft, chewy texture. Do not overbake. The perfect cookie may look like it has not cooked long enough, but the dough will firm up as it cools.
Tips for Customizing the Best Soft Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
While the classic soft Snickerdoodle is a delicious treat on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize the recipe to suit your preferences. I usually stick with the traditional recipe but for those of you who are more adventurous, here are some options.
Add a Twist with Chocolate Chips
If you love the combination of chocolate and cinnamon, consider adding a handful of chocolate chips to your Snickerdoodle dough. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work well, and they’ll complement the cinnamon flavor beautifully.
Make it Vegan
To make a vegan version of Snickerdoodle cookies, swap out the butter for a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil. You can also replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) or an egg replacer of your choice.
Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles
For a gluten-free version of these soft Snickerdoodles, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum to help the cookies hold together.
Add Nutmeg for Extra Flavor
If you want to add even more spice to your Snickerdoodles, a pinch of ground nutmeg can give them a warm, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon.
How to Store and Freeze the Best Soft Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Storing Snickerdoodle Cookies:
Store your Snickerdoodle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days. To maintain their softness, you can place a slice of bread in the container, which helps keep the cookies from drying out.
Freezing Snickerdoodles:
Snickerdoodle cookies freeze wonderfully, making them a great option for preparing in advance. To freeze baked cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
If you prefer to freeze the dough, roll the dough into balls and coat them in cinnamon-sugar. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and bake straight from the freezer at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes.
Conclusion
Now that you have the best soft Snickerdoodle cookie recipe in your hands, you can enjoy warm, cinnamon-sugar goodness any time you feel like baking. These are some of my family's favorite cookies. With the tips and tricks provided, you’ll be able to make the perfect batch of Snickerdoodles every time, with that ideal balance of soft, chewy centers and crisp edges. These cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone—so get baking and enjoy the sweet scent of cinnamon in your kitchen! These homemade cookies are easy to prepare and taste delicious. Let me know if your family enjoys these as much as my family.
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