The Easy To Follow Recipe For Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodles are a classic American cookie. This recipe for a doughy, soft and creamy cookie is delicious. The instructions to make these cookies are easy to follow.

Classic Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe:

What makes a Snickerdoodle a classic?

It has to have a soft, chewy inside, a tangy flavor,  and a crisp, cinnamon sugar outside.

This recipe meets that requirement. I found it in my trusty Farm Journal, Homemade Cookies Cookbook. It ‘s my go-to when I’m searching for a new (or old) cookie recipe. It’s where I found Chocolate Chip Molasses Bars and Fudge Nut Bars, and they both get two thumbs up in my book.

What’s the difference between a sugar cookie and snickerdoodle?

Quite honestly, there’s very little different between a classic sugar cookie and a snickerdoodle.  The batter could essentially be the same; however, the one main difference is that snickerdoodles are rolled in a combination of ground cinnamon and sugar, while sugar cookies are not.

Best Snickerdoodle Recipe

I accepted the task of baking a dozen cookies for an elementary school event for the kiddies. When contemplating my options, these cinnamon sugar snickerdoodles came to mind. What kid doesn’t like a sugar cookie coated in cinnamon and sugar?

The trick to a good snickerdoodle is the addition of cream of tartar. This seems like an odd ingredient, one that I don’t use often.  I’m sure my Grandma kept a container in the cabinet for recipes like this one.

Cream of Tartar is an acidic ingredient similar to lemon juice. Odd, right?  Somehow it keeps the sugar in these cookies from crystallizing. The inside of a Snickerdoodle should be soft while the outside should be crisp with a crinkly top.  The cream of tartar is the secret to making this magic happen.  DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT!

How to Make Old Fashioned Snickerdoodles

Step By Step Instructions

1. Cream together softened butter and shortening with a mixer; add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs and vanilla to the beat until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt.
4. Add the dry ingredients slowly to the wet ingredients, beating in between each addition.
5. In a small bowl, mix sugar and ground cinnamon; scoop out 1 inch balls of dough and roll the cookie dough ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Arrange on a baking sheet 2 inches apart.
6. Bake in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 6-8 minutes.
7. Let cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.

For the full instructions for old fashioned snickerdoodles, scroll to the bottom of this post. 

What is the purpose of cream of tartar in cookies?

Have you ever wondered why snickerdoodle cookies are so soft and chewy, yet never crispy on the outside?  That’s because of a magic ingredient called cream of tartar.

The cream of tartar in cookie recipes keeps the cookie from becoming crispy on the outside.  Without it, you won’t have that soft bite that makes a snickerdoodle or sugar cookie so famous.

Can I skip cream of tartar in a recipe?

In all honesty, you could skip cream of tartar in a cookie recipe and still get an edible cookie; however, the taste and texture will be altered.

So if you’re going for a classic snickerdoodle or a classic sugar cookie, then do yourself a favor, and do not omit cream of tartar in your recipe.

Old Fashioned Snickerdoodle Ingredients

Unsalted Butter, softened at room temperature

Shortening

White Sugar

Eggs

Vanilla Extract

Flour

Baking Soda

Cream of Tartar

Salt

Ground Cinnamon

FAQs about Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies:

• If you’ve never had a snickerdoodle cookie before, imagine a sugar cookie rolled in cinnamon and sugar.
• These classic snickerdoodles will flatten during baking.
• This easy snickerdoodle recipe is versatile. If you prefer a soft cookie, bake around 6 minutes.  On the flip side, if you prefer a crispy snickerdoodle, bake between 8-10 minutes.
• A 1-inch cookie scoop works perfectly to make even-sized snickerdoodles.
• Cream of tartar is essential in this classic snickerdoodle recipe.  Without it, your cookies will not taste the same and will not be soft on the inside.
• To keep the bottom of the cookies from getting dark, line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Some of our other favorite cookie recipes include Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies, French Buttercreams, and Iced Thumbprints.

Why are snickerdoodles so good?

The best snickerdoodles have a chewy texture and a tangy flavor, but the part that makes them so good is the cinnamon sugar coating on the outside.

Our Favorite Cookie Recipes

We have so many amazing cookie recipes to share!

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Salted Nut Squares

Chocolate Crinkles

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Triple Layer Chocolate Squares

Chocolate Nut Cookies

Monster Cookies

How to Store Snickerdoodle Cookies?

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, store the snickerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature.

How long to Snickerdoodles Keep?

If stored properly, snickerdoodles will keep up to 2 weeks at room temperature, or longer when frozen.

Can I Freeze Snickerdoodle Cookies?

Yes, snickerdoodles hold up great to the freezing process. Store the cooled snickerdoodles in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. To thaw, remove from the freezer, and let the cookies come to room temperature.

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