Description
This classic Snickerdoodle cookie recipe delivers soft, cinnamon-sugar coated cookies with a perfect balance of sweetness and a slightly tangy flavor from cream of tartar. With a simple dough that’s easy to prepare and a delightful cinnamon-sugar coating, these cookies bake up beautifully soft with crisp edges, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar (for less tang, use 1 teaspoon)
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake once the dough is prepared.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar together for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the two large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Continue to beat for an additional 1-2 minutes until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Stir in the 2 3/4 cups flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt just until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon. This mixture will be used to coat the cookie dough balls for a classic snickerdoodle flavor.
- Chill Dough (Optional): If time permits, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances the flavor.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Roll the dough into small, round balls until smooth. Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, then use a spoon to coat a second time to ensure full coverage. For flatter cookies, gently press the center of each ball before baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for several minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring perfect texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a less tangy flavor, reduce cream of tartar to 1 teaspoon as noted in the ingredients.
- Pressing down the dough balls in the center before baking results in flatter cookies that don’t puff up excessively.
- Chilling the dough before baking is optional but recommended for better texture and flavor development.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg