Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies are a soft sugar cookie which a crispy cinnamon-sugar coating. These old-fashioned cookies are simple to make and will please any crowd – young or old.
Classic Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe:
What makes a Snickerdoodle a classic? It has to have a soft inside 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.
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:
Instructions:
- Cream together softened butter and shortening; add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla to the beat until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients slowly to the wet ingredients, beating in between each addition.
- In a small bowl, mix sugar and ground cinnamon; scoop out 1 inch balls of dough and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 6-8 minutes.
For the full instructions for old fashioned snickerdoodles, scroll to the bottom of this post.
Notes 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.
- Some of our other favorite cookie recipes include Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies, French Buttercreams, and Iced Thumbprints.
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We have so many amazing cookie recipes to share!
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Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies
Ingredients
Snickerdoodle cookies
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 2/3 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cookie Coating
- 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cream softened butter and shortening until light; add 1 1/2 cups sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, and then vanilla, beating until smooth.
- Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
- Add slowly to creamed mixture and mix until combined.
- In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and 4 tablespoons sugar.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place cookie balls on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart from each other.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes or until cracked on top. Cookies will flatten as they bake.
Notes
- 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 tarter is essential in this classic snickerdoodle recipe. Without it, your cookies will not taste the same and will not be soft on the inside.
- Some of our other favorite cookie recipes include Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies, French Buttercreams, and Iced Thumbprints.
Nutrition
Easy enough to make. I don’t care for rolling out cookies, so this was way better!