Easy Chewy Snickerdoodles: Bake Memories Today!

A Classic Cookie with a Soft Center, Crispy Edge, and That Signature Cinnamon Sugar Magic

🎉 Introduction

Some cookies are just cookies, but Snickerdoodles are something special — nostalgic, chewy, and cinnamon-kissed. If you grew up baking with a loved one or spent afternoons sneaking cookies from the cooling rack, chances are a Snickerdoodle was involved. With their trademark cracked tops and sweet-spicy sugar coating, these cookies have a vintage charm and timeless flavor everyone loves.

This easy chewy Snickerdoodle recipe delivers soft, buttery centers, a crisp edge, and that classic cinnamon sugar sparkle. With simple ingredients and no chilling required, they’re perfect for spontaneous baking sessions, holiday trays, and family baking memories in the making.

Craving more classic comfort cookies? You’ll also love our Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies — wholesome, chewy, and packed with heartwarming flavor.

🧰 Equipment Needed

To whip up your best-ever batch of chewy snickerdoodles, you’ll need:

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon
• Cooling rack

🛒 Ingredients

🥚 Fresh Products:

• 2 large eggs

🍬 Pantry Items and Spices:

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar (divided: ¾ for dough, ¼ for rolling)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

🧈 Dairy:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
3. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon for rolling. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

1. In a large bowl, beat butter, ¾ cup sugar, and ½ cup brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
2. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low until just combined.

Note: The dough will be soft but thick. Don’t overmix!

Step 4: Scoop & Roll

1. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form dough balls (~1.5 tbsp each).
2. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
3. Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Bake & Cool

1. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft.
2. Let cookies cool on the pan for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 24–28 cookies
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: ~25 minutes

Perfect for bake sales, cookie swaps, holiday gifting, or just because.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 week.

Reheating:

• For a fresh-baked feel, microwave for 8–10 seconds to soften.

Freezing (Unbaked):

• Freeze dough balls (rolled in cinnamon sugar) for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes.

Freezing (Baked):

• Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly to enjoy.

🥄 Variations

• Chai Spice: Swap cinnamon sugar for a mix of chai spices — cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and clove.
• Stuffed Snickerdoodles: Fill with cream cheese, Nutella, or cookie butter before baking.
• Brown Butter Base: Brown the butter for a nutty twist (cool before using).
• Maple Glaze: Drizzle with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and maple syrup.
• Snickerdoodle Sandwiches: Layer with vanilla frosting or ice cream for a decadent sandwich cookie.

Love spiced cookies? Our Cinnamon Crumble Cookies deliver even more warm and cozy flavor in every bite!

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What makes snickerdoodles different from sugar cookies?
   Cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their signature tang and chewy texture.
2. Can I skip cream of tartar?
   It’s essential for the authentic flavor and chew. You can sub 2 tsp lemon juice + ½ tsp baking soda, but results may vary.
3. Can I make these ahead of time?
   Yes — refrigerate dough up to 2 days or freeze dough balls for longer storage.
4. How do I keep snickerdoodles soft?
   Don’t overbake! Pull them from the oven when the centers look slightly underdone.
5. Why are my snickerdoodles puffy?
   You may have added too much flour. Be sure to spoon and level flour when measuring.
6. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
   Butter gives the best flavor and structure. Margarine may cause spreading.
7. Are these cookies kid-friendly?
   Absolutely! Kids love the sugar coating and soft texture.
8. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, just use separate bowls for best mixing, and bake in batches.
9. Do these work well for gifting?
   Perfectly! Package in cute tins or jars — they stay soft for days.
10. Can I add mix-ins?
    Sure! Try white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or toffee bits for texture and flavor.

🏁 Conclusion

There’s just something special about snickerdoodles — they’re the cookie of comfort, tradition, and pure cinnamon bliss. This recipe brings all the charm of the original but with extra chew, richer flavor, and foolproof instructions. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or for yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to spark smiles and sweet memories.

Adam

Easy Chewy Snickerdoodles: Bake Memories Today!

5 from 1 vote

Some cookies are just cookies, but Snickerdoodles are something special — nostalgic, chewy, and cinnamon-kissed. If you grew up baking with a loved one or spent afternoons sneaking cookies from the cooling rack, chances are a Snickerdoodle was involved. With their trademark cracked tops and sweet-spicy sugar coating, these cookies have a vintage charm and timeless flavor everyone loves. This easy chewy Snickerdoodle recipe delivers soft, buttery centers, a crisp edge, and that classic cinnamon sugar sparkle. With simple ingredients and no chilling required, they’re perfect for spontaneous baking sessions, holiday trays, and family baking memories in the making. Craving more classic comfort cookies? You’ll also love our Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies — wholesome, chewy, and packed with heartwarming flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

bake time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 28 cookies

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🥚 Fresh Products:

• 2 large eggs

🍬 Pantry Items and Spices:

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar divided: ¾ for dough, ¼ for rolling
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

🧈 Dairy:

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened

Equipment

• To whip up your best-ever batch of chewy snickerdoodles, you’ll need:
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon
• Cooling rack

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
3. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon for rolling. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

1. In a large bowl, beat butter, ¾ cup sugar, and ½ cup brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
2. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low until just combined.
3. Note: The dough will be soft but thick. Don’t overmix!

Step 4: Scoop & Roll

1. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form dough balls (~1.5 tbsp each).
2. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
3. Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Bake & Cool

1. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft.
2. Let cookies cool on the pan for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 week.

Reheating:

For a fresh-baked feel, microwave for 8–10 seconds to soften.

Freezing (Unbaked):

Freeze dough balls (rolled in cinnamon sugar) for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes.

Freezing (Baked):

Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly to enjoy.

🥄 Variations

Chai Spice: Swap cinnamon sugar for a mix of chai spices — cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and clove.

Stuffed Snickerdoodles: Fill with cream cheese, Nutella, or cookie butter before baking.

Brown Butter Base: Brown the butter for a nutty twist (cool before using).

Maple Glaze: Drizzle with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and maple syrup.

Snickerdoodle Sandwiches: Layer with vanilla frosting or ice cream for a decadent sandwich cookie.

Love spiced cookies? Our Cinnamon Crumble Cookies deliver even more warm and cozy flavor in every bite!

❓ 10 FAQs

What makes snickerdoodles different from sugar cookies?
Cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their signature tang and chewy texture.

Can I skip cream of tartar?
It’s essential for the authentic flavor and chew. You can sub 2 tsp lemon juice + ½ tsp baking soda, but results may vary.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — refrigerate dough up to 2 days or freeze dough balls for longer storage.

How do I keep snickerdoodles soft?
Don’t overbake! Pull them from the oven when the centers look slightly underdone.

Why are my snickerdoodles puffy?
You may have added too much flour. Be sure to spoon and level flour when measuring.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter gives the best flavor and structure. Margarine may cause spreading.

Are these cookies kid-friendly?
Absolutely! Kids love the sugar coating and soft texture.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use separate bowls for best mixing, and bake in batches.

Do these work well for gifting?
Perfectly! Package in cute tins or jars — they stay soft for days.

Can I add mix-ins?
Sure! Try white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or toffee bits for texture and flavor.

🏁 Conclusion

There’s just something special about snickerdoodles — they’re the cookie of comfort, tradition, and pure cinnamon bliss. This recipe brings all the charm of the original but with extra chew, richer flavor, and foolproof instructions. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or for yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to spark smiles and sweet memories.