Name: Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled; 2 teaspoons cream of tartar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (230 grams, or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (100 grams) light brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 large egg yolk, room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

There's something incredibly comforting about a warm, cinnamon-scented cookie fresh from the oven. This Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe brings together just the right balance of softness, chewiness, and that classic sugary cinnamon crust that makes snickerdoodles truly irresistible. Trust me, you’ll want to keep these close by for whenever a craving strikes.

A stack of five golden brown cookies is the main focus, with each cookie showing a soft and crumbly texture. The top cookie is broken in half, revealing a light, slightly grainy inside. Around the stack, there are more whole cookies lying flat, showing their smooth, slightly wrinkled tops. The background is a white marbled texture, and a blurry glass bottle of milk is visible in the back. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe is one I've made countless times, and each batch reminds me why it’s such a crowd-pleaser. It's not just nostalgic; it’s downright perfect in texture and flavor, making it a staple in my kitchen that I’m excited to share with you.

Perfectly Soft & Chewy: These cookies strike a beautiful balance between tender chew and soft bite—no dry or crumbly edges here.
Classic Cinnamon Sugar Crust: Coating each cookie ball in cinnamon sugar before baking gives that irresistible, signature snickerdoodle snap.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy extracts or mystery powders—just pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
Reliable & Forgiving: Whether you’re a novice or a pro, the steps are easy to follow and the results consistently yummy.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering that signature flavor and texture. When you understand why these ingredients matter, you’re better equipped to nail the recipe—and maybe even tweak it a bit to your liking.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of cream of tartar powder, a small white ceramic bowl of baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, two sticks of unsalted butter softened and unwrapped, a small heap of granulated sugar, a small heap of light brown sugar, two large whole eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar mixed with ground cinnamon sprinkled lightly on the side, all ingredients arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie; spooning and leveling it prevents packing and keeps your cookies tender.
Cream of tartar: The secret behind the tangy flavor and slight chewiness, it also reacts to give these cookies their signature rise.
Baking soda: Balances the cream of tartar for perfect leavening and texture.
Ground cinnamon: Mixed right into the dough and the coating, it gives that warm, spicy-sweet note snickerdoodles are famous for.
Salt: Enhances flavor depth and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Using softened butter keeps the dough creamy while contributing rich flavor and tenderness.
Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: The combo gives sweetness and moisture—brown sugar adds that subtle chewiness I love.
Egg and egg yolk: Eggs bind the dough and provide structure, and the extra yolk adds richness and chew.
Pure vanilla extract: Just a touch to round out the flavors and add warmth.
Cinnamon sugar coating: A simple mix of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for that perfect final touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Once you have the basic dough mastered, you can add your favorite twists or lighten it up to suit your needs.

Variation: I sometimes replace half the butter with coconut oil for a subtle tropical note, which gives the cookies a delightful richness without losing chewiness.
Dietary tweak: For a gluten-free version, swapping in a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour works surprisingly well—just keep an eye on the texture and add a touch more moisture if needed.
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar coating can create a festive holiday spin that really impresses guests.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

The image shows a clear glass bowl filled with a thick, light brown dough. The dough has a crumbly texture with some smooth, dense patches. Inside the bowl, a white mixing paddle is partially covered with the dough and positioned diagonally. The background is a white marbled texture, and the dough fills most of the bowl's space with some dough stuck to the sides of the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients to Perfection

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Whisking not only blends the spices evenly but also aerates the flour, which helps keep the cookies tender. Setting this aside means you’re ready for the wet ingredients next.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment—or using a hand mixer if that’s what you have—beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together for about 1-2 minutes. You’re looking for a creamy, well-combined mixture that’s not grainy. Scrape the bowl as needed to fully incorporate everything. This creaming step is crucial because it helps create the perfect texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Adding both the egg and extra yolk gives the cookies that chewy richness without being heavy.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, mixing just until everything comes together. Over-mixing here can make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as you see no dry flour patches.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate it for at least one hour. This resting time is a game-changer—it makes the dough easier to handle, helps develop flavor, and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Step 6: Prepare & Coat Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Combine the ¼ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl for the coating. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough into balls about 1¼ inches in diameter. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar before placing it on the baking sheet, leaving space between cookies so they don’t stick together.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes—you're aiming for the tops to be set but still soft to the touch. Don’t worry if they look a little underdone; they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling step preserves the soft, chewy texture inside while maintaining the crispy cinnamon sugar exterior.

Top Tip

Having baked these Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few key tricks that really help make them just right. Here’s what has worked best in my kitchen:

Proper Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted—too warm and your cookies will spread like crazy.
Dough Chilling Time: I never skip chilling the dough for at least an hour—it’s totally worth the wait for texture and flavor.
Even Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Rolling the dough balls twice in the cinnamon sugar before baking deepens the flavor and helps create that gorgeous crust.
Don’t Overbake: Remove the cookies when the edges are set but centers look slightly underdone—they’ll finish baking as they cool.

How to Serve Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

Snickerdoodle Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with this recipe—just a little extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar right when the cookies come out of the oven enhances that delightful spice kick. For a special touch, a light dusting of powdered sugar can make these cookies look extra inviting, especially during the holidays.

Side Dishes

Pair these with a tall glass of cold milk, a warm mug of chai or coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert combo. I’ve also served them alongside spiced apple cider during fall evenings, and it’s always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at parties, I arrange the cookies in layered jars or gift boxes with parchment dividers, making them perfect for gifting. You can also sandwich softened cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a decadent treat that feels like a little celebration in every bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread inside the container keeps them soft and chewy by maintaining moisture balance—a little trick that never fails!

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough in balls, rolled and coated in cinnamon sugar, on a parchment-lined tray. Once frozen solid, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and bake directly from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time. It’s a fantastic way to have fresh snickerdoodles anytime.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked warmth and chew, pop the cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave them for about 12-15 seconds. Freshly warmed cookies truly taste like a little hug from the kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe vegan?

To make these snickerdoodles vegan, you can substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil, and replace the egg with flaxseed or chia egg. Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different, but the cinnamon sugar flavor will still shine through.

Why is cream of tartar important in this recipe?

Cream of tartar reacts with baking soda to create the distinctive tangy flavor and puffy texture of traditional snickerdoodles. It also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much, so skipping it could result in flatter, less chewy cookies.

Can I use a different spice instead of cinnamon?

Absolutely! While cinnamon is classic, feel free to experiment with nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice as a coating for a unique twist. Just remember that these spices have different intensities, so adjust the amount to your taste preference.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies should have set tops but still look slightly soft in the center when you pull them from the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, which keeps them soft and chewy instead of dry and hard.

Final Thoughts

This Soft Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of cozy afternoons spent baking with family. But more importantly, it never fails to please whatever occasion you're baking for. Give it a try—you might just find it becoming your go-to when you need a little comfort in cookie form.