Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles (2024)

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by Michelle
July 30, 2020

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4.57 (41 ratings)

This is, hands-down, the best recipe for snickerdoodles you’ll find! They are super soft and chewy with a gorgeous crinkly topping perfect for holding in pockets of delicious cinnamon. Included below are a few quick tips for recreating these beauties time and again!

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles (1)

Snickerdoodles are a cookie classic – soft, tender butter cookies with a slight tang and chewy texture that are rolled in cinnamon-sugar and baked. A holiday staple, for sure, but also an every day, any day kind of cookie, as well!

Everyone and anyone has a recipe for snickerdoodles, but I’m here today to tell you that these are the absolute best of the best. They puff in the oven and then settle back down while cooling into a soft, thick, supremely chewy cookie with a gorgeous crinkly top. They’ve received nothing but rave reviews!

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles (2)

Snickerdoodle is sort of a strange name, yes?

I’ve often wondered how the name originated and when I started doing some research, it seems there are a few different theories. All seem to agree that the name is German in origin; the cookies seem to have surfaced in New England in the late 1800s, likely from someone of either German or Dutch descent.

The cookies have also been called snipdoodles or cinnamon sugar cookies, but no direct German translation seems to make sense, so it may just be a little bit of a whimsical spin on a couple of different words.

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Snickerdoodles vs sugar cookies

Some think of snickerdoodles as simply drop sugar cookies that have been rolled in cinnamon-sugar, but this oversimplification is far from accurate.

While both cookies have the same basic list of ingredients (butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and baking powder/soda), there is one key ingredient in snickerdoodles that turns them into something altogether different:

Cream of Tartar

This magical little ingredient does two things to make snickerdoodles, well… snickerdoodles:

  1. It is an acid, so its presence gives the cookies that ever-so-slight tangy flavor.
  2. Also because it’s an acid, it helps to create a more tender texture, keeping the cookies both soft and chewy, which is a texture combination you don’t find in traditional sugar cookies.
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A few quick tips!

  • Chill, chill, chill! – Be sure to follow the chilling instructions for the pan and dough. It helps the cookies hold their shape and not spread.
  • Baking Pans Prep – I recommend using parchment paper to line the pans to eliminate any possibility of the cookies spreading.
  • Cream of Tartar – This is a key ingredient in snickerdoodles, but if you find yourself in a serious pinch, you can use 2 teaspoons baking powder and omit BOTH the cream of tartar AND the baking soda. Just remember the flavor will be slightly different.
  • Cinnamon – Use your favorite, high-quality cinnamon since you’ll be getting a heft taste of it. I keep Simply Organic ground cinnamon in my pantry.
  • Scoop – I like to use this cookie scoop for uniform cookies.
  • Make-Ahead – You can prepare the dough and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before scooping and baking.
  • Storage – Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing – You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature then enjoy!

More cookie classics

And might I suggest a snickerdoodle ice cream sandwich because, why not?

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles (5)

Watch How to Make Snickerdoodles:

If you make these snickerdoodles and love them, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you so much! ❤️️

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles (6)

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles

Yield: 48 cookies

Prep Time: 45 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

This is, hands-down, the best recipe for snickerdoodles you'll find! They are super soft and chewy with a gorgeous crinkly topping perfect for holding in pockets of delicious cinnamon.

4.57 (41 ratings)

Ingredients

  • cups (330 g) flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature, (2 sticks )
  • cups (298 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions

  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a baking mat and put in refrigerator to chill.

  • Whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

  • Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.

  • Gradually stir in the flour mixture, beating on low speed just until the flour is blended.

  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.

  • In the meantime, mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Scoop 1-inch balls of dough and roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture to coat.

  • Place on chilled cookie sheet about 2 inches apart and bake for 10 minutes.

  • Chill the dough and cookie sheets between batches.

  • Let cookies set on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack. Store cookies in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Chill, chill, chill! – Be sure to follow the chilling instructions for the pan and dough. It helps the cookies hold their shape and not spread.
  • Baking Pans Prep – I recommend using parchment paper to line the pans to eliminate any possibility of the cookies spreading.
  • Cream of Tartar – This is a key ingredient in snickerdoodles, but if you find yourself in a serious pinch, you can use 2 teaspoons baking powder and omit BOTH the cream of tartar AND the baking soda. Just remember the flavor will be slightly different.
  • Cinnamon – Use your favorite, high-quality cinnamon since you’ll be getting a heft taste of it. I keep Simply Organic ground cinnamon in my pantry.
  • Scoop – I like to use this cookie scoop for uniform cookies.
  • Make-Ahead – You can prepare the dough and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before scooping and baking.
  • Storage – Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing – You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature then enjoy!

Calories: 90kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 38mg, Potassium: 31mg, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 130IU, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

Author: Michelle

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Originally published in 2009, this has been updated to include new photos and more in-depth recipe tips.

[Photography byDee of One Sarcastic Baker]

  1. Catherine savastano Reply

    I would make the snicker doodles if I could find the recipe

  2. Jamie Reply

    These cookies are so good! Although I know I can always count on Brown Eyed Baker recipes to be fantastic!
    Can you put the cinnamon sugar mixture in with the dough instead of scooping it and then adding? Can you recommend a good cookie scooper?

  3. Maytha Reply

    I have used a recipe similar to this for many years. My recipe calls for 1 cup of shortening (I use 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of Crisco baking shortening). The other difference is my recipe calls for baking at 400 Degrees for 8-10 minutes.

    Agree that this is a delicious recipe, made a batch last week.

  4. Sarah Reply

    These cookies are amazing! Take them out of the oven just before they crack. So soft and lovely! Thank you, Michelle!

  5. Robynbobbi Reply

    I have tried many snickerdoodle recipes, and this is the best!

  6. Bev Reply

    Thank you for the recipe! I can’t wait to try it.

    Are you able to tell me how big the eggs are?

    Cheers,
    Bev

  7. Allie Reply

    My mom made these yesterday and I’ve already eaten at least six of them. These just might be my new favorite thing, and I’m so indecisive picking favorites is anxiety inducing. They are just perfection. Someone could bribe me to do terrible, horrible things with these cookies as bait. The soft chewiness with crumbly little sugary bits that melt in your mouth when you eat them is irresistible. Honestly I could write poems, sing love songs, or perform epic plays about these cookies. I don’t normally like snickerdoodles that much, as they have in the past seemed a little dry and with less flavor than other cookies. But this recipe is a snickerdoodle revolution. I had to get my hands on it, because I can’t help but plan to make them myself soon…

  8. Amber Reply

    Is it just me or did your old recipe use half shortening and half butter?

  9. Amber Reply

    Made these yesterday. They taste perfect and delicious! They turned out a little flatter than I expected- but that might be due to chill time and scoop size. They are cute and taste perfect.

  10. RaeAnn Landwehr Reply

    I add nutmeg to my mix..very good

  11. nancy Reply

    ddelicious snicker doodles.

  12. Gail Reply

    I haven’t had a Snickerdoodle in years. These are AWESOME! Will definitely make them again!

  13. Marissa Reply

    I’ve made these cookies countless times and my coworkers rave about them. I honestly can’t make them enough to satisfy the crowds! Follow the instructions to a T and you can’t go wrong. I had to play with the baking time because just a little too long in the oven gives me crunchy cookies. I tested my oven one cookie at a time to find the perfect time.

  14. Kathy Reply

    Oh MY GOSH!!!! Snickerdoodles are my sons favorite cookies! I used to make Snickerdoodles for my son when he was younger and I lost the recipe:(..over the last 7 years I have tried other recipes and failed to make them like I used to. They wouldn’t deflate like my old recipe and would stay puffy which we aren’t a fan of. I have tried tons of recipes and have NOT been able to make them the way we are used to. I became so frustrated that Snickerdoodles became the bane of my existence too! I even said I wasn’t going to try to make any Snickerdoodles ever again because I had failed so many times (dramatic I know, lol). But it was just so discouraging to not have them turn out like in the past. My son came home from college for Christmas break and he said, “Can we please try to find a Snickerdoodle recipe like you used to make for me in elementary school?”. So then last night I decided to try another recipe that I found online..it was almost right but not quite…I decided to give it one last college try with your recipe!!! Finally!!! After all these years the cookies did what the are supposed to! And my son can eat them and remember all the memories of having them in his youth!!! Thank you! The chilling of the dough and pans is KEY. Do both and you will have the tastiest cookies ever!:)

    • Michelle Reply

      Awww I love this!! Thank you for taking the time to share your story, xo

  15. tiff Reply

    Amazingly delicious!

  16. Jodie Reply

    Is the dough supposed to be real thick?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Jodie, Yes it is a thick dough!

  17. Monica Reply

    Snickerdoodles had been the bane of my existence as well until I found your recipe. One of my sister’s ex boyfriends made the best snickerdoodles ever. Chewy, soft. I searched the internet everywhere and tried a bunch, but mine never came out the same. I even underbaked them. Your recipe and tips saved me from going behind my sister’s back and secretly contacting her ex lol thank you!

  18. mariah S Larsh Reply

    I love your recipes. I have tried several and all are fantastic. This Snickerdoodle recipe is the best I have ever found and is my go to recipe. I made them for my best friend and he loves them too, so much he asked for the recipe. I have made them for many people and functions and they are always a hit and disappear fast. Thank you so much for such a great recipe! :)

  19. Sarah Reply

    Quick question, how do you manage to get them perfectly uniform? I roll out the balls and they all seem to look the same but come out of the oven totally different. Do you have a trick or am I just defective. ;)

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Sarah, I just use a cookie scoop to scoop the dough and then roll them between my palms.

  20. Barbie Reply

    I’m a huge proponent of frozen cookies and so I’m wondering how well the Snickerdoodles freeze??
    My husband and I find that frozen cookies are great for portion control…….it takes more time to eat a frozen cookie and they are not as accessible as cookies in a cookie jar. And they are quite good

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Barbie, I have never frozen these myself, but I think they would freeze well. Enjoy!

  21. Meryl Reply

    These Snickerdoodles were amazing! Hands down, the best I’ve ever baked or eaten. I made 5 dozen to send overseas to a friend and his troops. Can’t wait to get their reaction!

  22. Sabrina Jones Reply

    I am at an altitude of 5000ft and i tried adding 1/4 cup more of flour to the recipe. The cookies still flattened out. Should I add more?

  23. Natalie Reply

    These. are. awesome.

    I feel bad, but after baking these, it’s time to kick my grandma’s snickerdoodle recipe to the curb. My husband loved them, I liked that they stayed soft & delicious, and my office raved.

    Thanks for yet another knock out recipe, brown eyed baker!!! <3

  24. Mabel Reply

    These cookies looked wonderful. I can never make good snickerdoodles. When you mentioned that you put the dough and pan in the refrig I thought here is my answer!!! But still I have puffed up snickerdoodles. We really like the flat kind but can never make them. Ok, what did I do wrong now?

  25. Alex Reply

    This look amazing! I was wondering if i could cut them out in shapes? Would they hold? Thank You and Merry Christmas!!! <3

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Alex, This cookie batter isn’t the right consistency to roll out and cut out shapes. Merry Christmas to you!

  26. Tante Cindy Reply

    I stumbled on your posting today quite by accident. I read of your history of trouble with the Snickerdoodle, and was very puzzled by your woes. I mastered Snickerdoodles when I was a mere girl of 10 – well over 40 years ago. Then I read the recipe that finally gave you success, and I chuckled. You finally followed the “correct” recipe. This is the recipe I learned from my mother all those decades ago. It is the one she learned from her mother. This aging baker thanks you for today’s chuckle.

  27. Angela Reply

    to autumn besauce lately, I have been craving all things cinnamon. I came across this recipe for Snickerdoodle Bread recently on the boards, and thought it might be worth a try. Afterall, it looked easy

  28. Liebelle Reply

    Delicious! I normally don’t like eating snickerdoodles, but these are fantastic. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.

  29. jose Reply

    the ice cream sandwich is even better if you add salted caramel

  30. Shaina Reply

    These cookies are incredible!!! I’ve made these over 30 times and each time they turn out incredibly!!!!!!!! USE THIS RECIPE!

  31. Michael Reply

    Lol I just baked a recipe off the internet last night that was a toal failure! The snickerdoodles did to me what they do to the-brown-eyed-baker all the time: go completely flat and just plain suck! And I can bake ANYTHING! I’m trying this recipe Today/tonight and I’ll report back on my success or failure (once again.

  32. Michelle Reply

    I never grew up with snickerdoodles, and before I made these this week for the apple pie ice cream, I had never had them. When I read the recipe, I wondered what made people so in love with snickerdoodles, they were, afterall, just cinniamon butter cookeis. My entire feelings about this cookie can be described by the thoughts that popped into my head after the first bite: “Oh. I get it.”

    I was too impatient to cool the pan between batches (I only have one cookie sheet) so I just made double sized cookies and remembered to only eat half a cookie at a time. My husband liked these a lot – he’s a big fan of soft cookies – so I guess this might become a family tradition for us, haha.

  33. Mercedes Williams Reply

    My kiddos LOVE these cookies. I’m planning on making them for my daughters bake sale. I’ve never doubled/tripled the recipe. What are your thoughts?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Mercedes, I have done this around the holidays, and never had a problem. Enjoy!

  34. Melissa Reply

    When i make these these cookies they’re always a hit. I omitted the cinnamon sugar mixture for a couple of of the cookies for my mom. she loved the plain cookies but asked if i can add peanut butter to the recipe. Since i know she likes how these cookies come out (instead of following one of your peanut butter cookie recipes) i was just wondering if there are any changes in the recipe if I add regular smooth peanut butter. How much peanut butter should i add into the recipe? Can i just scoop peanut butter out of the jar and straight into the butter and sugar and cream them together then? Thanks!

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Melissa, You would add the peanut butter as you noted, but it would change the consistency of the cookies. You may need to play around with the ratios of flour, butter, etc.

  35. Gabby Reply

    These cookies were a hit with my family! I had to keep baking just to feed them! Thanks for sharing!

  36. Michelle Reply

    Hi Michelle! Any ideas why it didn’t flatten enough after baking? It flattened slightly but not similar to the pictures. Your blog is our favorite! Thanks for your help!

  37. Heidelind Reply

    This Snickerdoodle recipe brought me to this website, and now I’m hooked! My husband asked me what I wanted for dessert, and after looking up some things online I ended up here with this recipe. He made them, I ate them:) And now I want to make everything posted here…thank you!

  38. Angie Seaman Reply

    These are beyond. And with ice cream – next level beyond. I was going to take them to work but now I think this batch is going in the freezer as dough so that I can pop a couple into the convection oven now and then. I fear baking too many of these at once because I will devour them. Thank you for a perfect recipe. I have been looking for a soft snickerdoodle ever since I tried the ones at Noodles. Mine came out a bit flatter than theirs do, but maybe from frozen they’d be a bit thicker.

  39. Anissa Reply

    These are addictive and simply amazing cookies!!!

  40. Amber Reply

    These are the best snicker doodles the only thing i did differently was not chill the dough but they still came out perfect

  41. Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families Reply

    These are amazing cookies, I made them for my son to take to school.

    I did adjust the sugar/cinnamon mixture for the final step. I always roll them in the mixture and pat them flat. Then put them on the cookie sheet. This is a trick that I learned a long time and makes them perfect.

  42. Denise Reply

    These cookies are the best snickerdoddles I have ever eaten. I have made them twice in one week. Getting ready to make a third batch. Thanks for sharing!

  43. Kristina Reply

    I made this about a month ago and my family loved them so much that they want me to make some for the holidays! My mother has been making snickerdoodles since I was little and she is quite a critique of my baking. When she tried these she was so amazed at how soft and delicious they were. That is a huge compliment ha! So thank you for this amazing recipe! Now off to go bake some more!

  44. Melissa Reply

    I just made these and they are delicious! This is the perfect Snickerdoodle recpie. It tastes like (the better parts of) my childhood.

  45. Alyson Reply

    I wanted to try my hand at snickerdoodles this year (for the first time ever!) because they’re one of my absolute favorite cookies. This recipe was GREAT! I used margarine instead of butter and foil instead of parchment (I hate parchment paper) and didn’t chill the cookie sheets… but they still turned out crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, tasty tasty tasty! They needed a little bit longer to cook in my oven (not tested for temperature) but well worth the wait. This recipe is going in my recipe box and it will be my go-to every single year. THANK YOU!!

  46. Denise Reply

    Just took the first batch out of the oven….FABULOUS COOKIES!!!!!!! Whole family says I’m the new Queen baker!!! YAY!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Blessings!

  47. Christine Reply

    I tried the recipe last night, but mine came out all puffy… what did I do wrong?

  48. Suad Reply

    Hi Michelle,
    I don’t have cream of tartar. Any substitute for it?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Suad, Unfortunately, cream of tartar is a crucial ingredient to snickerdoodles.

  49. Lindsey Reply

    My mother inlaw always declares she is keeping me if my husband and I ever divorce cause she loves these cookies, I’m not allowed in there house without 2 things these snickerdoodles and German chocolate cake. My sister inlaw visited recently she NEVER eats sweets like ever and she couldn’t stop , 100% these are true hit!

  50. Jolie Reply

    I have had great success with this recipe! Thanks a ton.

  51. Karla Reply

    Immediately goes to my top five cookie recipe favorites! I can’t believe I only saw this now! I love all your recipes!

  52. Jessie Reply

    I’ve been searching through recipe after recipe, and I stumbled upon this great blog. I can’t wait to try this recipe!

  53. Ryan Reply

    The whole chilling the pan actually made things worse for me. When I just kept it out of the fridge they came out looking like yours

  54. Allison Reply

    These look stunning! Does the recipe call for white or brown sugar? Another site uses brown sugar and I’m not sure if it only applies to that particular recipe or if all snickerdoodles use brown sugar. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Allison, This recipe uses granulated sugar; my apologies for not making that clear!

  55. Alisa Reply

    I love snickerdoodles and have been baking them since I was a young teen, from a recipe my Aunt had given me. They’re a bit tricky because to get them just right you have to time them perfectly. They turn out best when they’re chewy inside but lightly crunchy outside. These type of cookies will absolutely spread too much if you don’t have chilled dough but I’ve never needed to chill the cookie sheets. With these cookie you’ll want to take them out of the oven even when they don’t appear to be done and they’re “too soft”. They crisp up as they cool. Form the dough into balls about 1 rounded tbsp with a cookie scoop if you have one. Forming the dough into balls definitely help keep them as thicker cookies or else the dough will soften and spread out too much during baking. The recipe I use has half shortening and half butter. If you used only butter they’d get more crisp but if you used only shortening the dough would be greasy and spread out way too much so using both together is the best way to get perfect snickerdoodles. I think my Aunt got her recipe from an old Betty Crocker cookbook. I love your idea for the cookie ice cream sandwich – stellar idea!! A farm near where I live makes homemade Tahitian vanilla ice cream. I’ll have to make some cookie sandwiches soon :) The flavor would go so well with the Snickerdoodles.

  56. Melissa Reply

    I was wondering if we can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it for a few days before baking? If I can freeze it, is it best to freeze them in the little ball shapes? Then add the cinnamon sugar the day i’m baking.
    Also, you have a few chocolate chip cookie recipes and i was wondering which one do you think is best to make chewy choc chip cookies? and is it ok to freeze the dough as well?

  57. Samantha Reply

    when whisking the dry ingredients, do I need to sift it first?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Samantha, Not usually, unless a recipe specifically calls for it.

  58. Katie Reply

    I stumbled across this recipe and decided to give it a shot. My dad took some into his work, and his coworkers have been emailing him all day asking me to make more!

  59. Myth Mabry Reply

    wow! I absolutely love this recipe! I used it to make 4 dozen for a church function and they were gobbled up by kids and adults! thank you so much for you site and recipes!!! new avid follower!!!

  60. trinten Reply

    i made these but they would not turn out flat but stay in a round ball shape and if tried let it flatten in the oven it would burn

  61. Kay Reply

    These cookies are absolutely incredible. I’m eating one as I write this, and I cannot get over the flavour, the texture and just how beautiful these cookies truly are! I’ve never tasted a snickerdoodle this divine before. Thanks so much for the amazing recipe. :-) I’ll be making these as often as I can.

  62. Anna Reply

    Is it necessary to chill the dough?

    • Michelle Reply

      Yes, if you don’t, the cookies will spread and be quite flat.

  63. Jamie Reply

    Very good cookie. I was trying to replicate the snickerdoodles from The Great Cookie for my husband. He ate about 2 dozen before I even put them away. Guess they were a hit! Great job!

  64. Victoria Reply

    These are great!! :) thank you!

  65. Joanne Iritanijoanneiritani@gmail.com Reply

    This is for the lady who wondered what was her problem in making snickerdoodles.

    Reading the various recipes online, I believe the difference between them is the oil. 1 cup butter in one recipe, and 1/2 cup butter plus 1/2 cup shortening in the other.

  66. Cheryl Reply

    These are excellent! I have tried many other snickerdoodles that say they are soft on the inside & crispy on the outside, but they didn’t turn out well. I love that these stay puffy and soft. This is a keeper!

  67. Margaux Reply

    I just made these — my first attempt at Snickerdoodles! — and they came out great. I have made several recipes from your blog now, and each one has been a success. Thank you for posting things that are consistently delicious! It’s great to have such a reliable blog to go to for the recipes I want.

    • Myth Mabry Reply

      I have to agree with your post! I am now truly addicted to the site and have also been coming back just to get new ideas for dinners that my hubby and 4 year old will like that are fairly easy to follow recipes that actually turn out great!

  68. Mary Reply

    This is the old Betty Crocker recipe! (with the 1 difference being that her’s calls for salted butter). Been baking these since I was about 5 years old. Only you’ve beenb aking them at 350 when the original calls for 400 for 8-10 minutes. Why wait until Christmas? These are a “daily” cookie at our house. And it’s the first recipe I teach any kid that wants to learn (because the dough can be successfully refrigerated forup to 3 weeks). Congratulations on finding a Snickerdoodle recipe that works well! Best with Constant Comment tea or works great as a sandwich cookie using buttercream frosting. ;)

  69. Nichole Reply

    I just made these and they are so awesome…I did make a couple of alterations…I added about two tablespoons of cinnamon to the dry ingredients and 1/8 tsp. almond extracts to the butter/sugar mixture. And since I am a soft cookie person and like larger cookies, I made the balls about 2-2 1/2 inches and cooked for 10 minutes…they made bigger, softer cookies. They are so good, my son ate 9 of the 1 inch cookies and my mother-in-law, who was here visiting, stole a dozen of the cookies to take home. Great recipe. Thank you!!!!

  70. The Kook @ The Kitchen Kook Reply

    Mmm. I love soft snickerdoodles! I used this recipe to make mine, and they were so good! I also tried baking the same recipe at 400F to see the difference, and I found that the higher temperature actually gave soft AND chewy cookies. Both are delicious, but I hope you try it this way next time! :D

    Here are some pictures to show the difference in the textures!
    http://thekitchenkook.blogspot.com/2013/01/classic-snickerdoodle-cookies.html

  71. The Kook @ The Kitchen Kook Reply

    Michelle, another difference I noticed is that snickerdoodles are usually baked at 400F so your recipe uses a relatively lower temperature. Hmm. I wonder if that’s the difference. I’ll have to try both temperatures and report back!

  72. Beth Reply

    Seems to be a great recipe, but my cookies did not flatten out nearly as much as the ones shown in the picture.

  73. Dena Reply

    I just made a double recipe of these today. They are THE BEST snickerdoodle cookies I have ever tasted!!! Thank you so much for your awesome recipes!! I can’t wait to make a few of the other cookie recipes later this week! :o)

  74. christine Reply

    argh i just made snickerdoodles using the betty crocker recipe (exact same ingredients above, but no chlling) which is the recipe my mom uses and her cookies always come out perfect. BUT…mine came out super flat and crunchy. Sigh. But the flavor is great.
    The thing is that I live at over 9,000 feet in altitude, and I didn’t adjust for it in the recipe, I was hoping it would turn out alright. Do you think if I added less baking soda next time they would be puffier?
    Christine

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Christine, Unfortunately I wouldn’t have a clue as to how to alter the Betty Crocker recipe, as I’ve never used it. For high altitude baking, I’d follow whatever adjustments you typically make for other recipes.

  75. Cerise Reply

    Love these snickerdoodles!!! I make them for my husbands work and they are always asking for more! Thanks for the awesome recipe :)

  76. Eva Reply

    Best cookies EVER! Everyone loves it when I make these cookies!! Yes it takes longer to make BUT we’ll worth it:)

  77. 4virtu Reply

    Happy Tasty Tuesday! We love this snickerdoodle recipe and it is featured on our Christmas Cookie recipe round-up this week! Thanks!
    http://4virtu.com/2012/12/tasty-tuesday-christmas-cookie-recipes/

  78. ilikebaking Reply

    Oh oh ohhhhhhh my goooeness! These cookies were perfect. Addictive. I ate the whole first round by myself except for 1 and a half. My hubby who is not a cookie lover said these taste better than the ones I get from the store and had a good taste to them (just the right amount of crunch and chewy gooeyness (I made up a word for this cookie). I have been looking for years for a recipe to mimic my favorite snicker doodle cookie that I get from the ” great American cookie” and this is it. Those other recipes that say they are copy cat ( fall short). This is it. I was excited that any time I had a craving for my favorite cookie I could just bake it ( I moved states and only get this cookie when I go back and visit my hometown). But now thanks to this recipe I can have them any time I want. The only down side is that having this recipe is dangerous for me, because I will bake them and keep.going back for more and eat them all which can’t be good. I added cinnamon to the dough. I recommend a tsp or two depending on how.much you like the cin flavor. Thanks bunches for the awesome recipe.

  79. Kacie B. Reply

    This is the best “sugar cookie dough”-based recipe I’ve tried. I’m so glad a co-worked turned me onto your site. She told me that anything I chose would be a hit. She was right. I’ve now made these cookies a few times, and I cannot emphasize the difference chilling the baking sheets make. I learned the hard way :-/ Thanks for recipe and keep them coming :)

    • The Kook @ The Kitchen Kook Reply

      I know! I love Brown Eyed Baker. Whenever I’m looking for a recipe, I hit this website first! Michelle hasn’t failed me yet :)

  80. Rella Reply

    Hi Danielle,
    I actually have halved this recipe many times and (like Michelle expected) they come out exactly like they do when I’ve made the whole recipe!

  81. Danielle C Reply

    Do you think I can halve this recipe? My waistline and I don’t need 4 dozen cookies laying around!!!!

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Danielle, Although I haven’t done it, I think you could halve this recipe without a problem. Enjoy!

  82. amber Reply

    Just let these cookies cool but it was hard to wait. They are perfect! I took your advice and kept everything cold before baking. They are so good! Can’t wait to give them out to my daughter’s softball team. Thank you. So far ALL of your recipes have been flawless. You are now my Go TO Girl for baking.

  83. April Reply

    I’ve actually never had a problem with Snickerdoodles, and I’m using The Bake Sale Cookbook.
    The recipe I use states that you need to use either all margarine, or use half margarine and half butter. I do the half and half thing, and everyone loves my cookies.

  84. Kathy Reply

    Your blog is my new “go to” place for recipes. After trying several of your recipes I now trust that whatever I choose to make from browneyedbaker will be fantastic! Loved the snickerdoodles, this recipe is fantastic. Since the recipe has so much emphasis on keeping everything cool, I rolled and dipped the dough balls and placed them in a tupperware bowl set over another bowl with ice cubes/water. This helped to keep them cool until I was ready to remove the baking sheets from the fridge.

    • amber Reply

      Kathy I read your comment before trying these and used your bowl over ice trick. Cookies were wonderful. Great recipe and your tip was helpful as well.

  85. Li-Anne Reply

    Wow, these cookies are amazing! I’ve never ever heard of or eaten a snickerdoodle before, but I’m pretty sure I’m not gonna try any other snickerdoodle recipe except for this one :D

  86. Grace Reply

    Mine came out puffy then flatten greatly when cooled. Any suggestions?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Grace, Well, this sounds like most snickerdoodles. These cookies, as you can tell from the pictures, are fairly thin. They should still be chewy though (not crunchy).

  87. Becca@ learnasyougocook Reply

    Oh and by the way I loved them so much I shared the recipe on my blog: learnasyougocook.blogspot.com

  88. Becca@ learnasyougocook Reply

    I tried these and they are delicious! I stuck them in my freezer and just heated one up when I needed it. These will be made again:)

  89. Jessa Reply

    These were delicious! My only problem is that sticking the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes (actually longer) still resulted in super stick dough that sucked to roll into balls. Freezing it for 30 minutes helped for the first few balls on the pan until they thawed out.

    Still, the end result was amazing and now I’m having to guard the cookie jar so my husband doesn’t eat them all. :)

    • AL Reply

      I had the same problem – even after putting them in the freezer, the dough was unusually sticky and difficult to roll in the cinnamon-sugar. The flavor was there, but I disliked how thin these cookies were. Going back to my old snickerdoodles recipe. I should have paid more attention to the photos. I like my snickerdoodles puffy – soft in middle and crispy on the edges.

  90. Jinju Reply

    im new at these stuff of making cookies :( so i have a question, what is cream of tartar?? how do they sell it??

    • Michelle Reply

      Cream of tartar functions a bit like baking soda and baking powder, and is a very common ingredient in snickerdoodle cookies. You can usually find it in the baking aisle, with the other herbs and spices – where you would find the cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.

  91. Pictures look great Reply

    I tried looking through the comments but didn’t see it, maybe I missed it, but the recipe says 1-1/2 cups sugar. Then step 3 says cream butter and sugar, and step 6 says combine cinnamon and sugar. Guess I’m just wondering how much to use for the dough itself, and how much to use to coat the dough?

    • Pictures look great (2) Reply

      Ignore me! It’s been a long week. I found the 3 tbsp sugar at the bottom of the recipe. Going to try making these tonight for my dad, an avid snickerdoodle lover always looking for the perfect snickerdoodle but never finding it, lol. I’m hoping this is the one that does it for him! :)

  92. Jinju Reply

    what is that brown stuff?? sugar and cinnamon??

    • Jinju Reply

      oooh…it was sugar and cinnamon hahaha sorry :/

  93. Rella Reply

    I made these the other day and they turned out amazing! The texture was perfect, crisp on the outside with a soft and chewy interior and the flavor had a hint of tang to it from the cream of tartar, which complemented the sweetness and cinnamon flavor perfectly! Thanks so much! This will definitely be my new go-to snickerdoodle recipe!

  94. Wendy Reply

    heh. Sorry…! I just saw it yields 4 dozen! I read too fast sometimes! :)

  95. Wendy Reply

    I’m about to make these tomorrow! :) Any calculations on approx. how many this recipe makes?

    Thanks!
    ~Wendy

  96. Jenn Reply

    I’ve tried making these twice now and both times I have had to throw out all the dough! The dough itself tastes great, but something is off with the texture. They stayed flat, but completely crumbled apart when I tried to scoop them off the pan. Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Jenn, Did you make any alterations at all to the ingredients or technique? The other problem might be oven temperature – do you use an oven thermometer to ensure an accurate temperature?

  97. Kayla Reply

    I just made these this weekend. Mine did not lay as flat, but they are soft, chewy, and just all around good! Thanks!

  98. Brianna Reply

    These are delicious! I am in the midst of making these, and I am enjoying much!

  99. Tashia Small Reply

    My coworker’s birthday was yesterday and she asked for Snickerdoodles so of course I obliged with this recipe. So amazing! They were picture perfect and I had to get them out of my house so into care packages they go!! Thanks BEB!

  100. Adria Reply

    I stumbled across this website because I wanted to make Halloween treat bags for my students. They weren’t as flat as your picture, but they were absolutely wonderful! Let’s just hope the kids love them on Monday…if they make it that far, lol.

  101. Jennifer @ Raisin Questions Reply

    Well, I just made snickerdoodles with another recipe from a trusted cookbook, but my cookies came out dome shaped. I suppose this is not bad, but I prefer them to be flat like yours — I have your original problem in reverse. I noticed the only difference between the recipe I used and this one is more flour and the addition of salt. I thought I’d ask a more experience baker, do you think perhaps that’s what did it?

    • Michelle Reply

      It’s possible, but it could also be a temperature difference in your oven. Without actually testing the recipe, it would be hard to say exactly, but those are likely.

  102. Melissa T Reply

    Just made these cookies, and for me, 10 minutes was not long enough. I tried another batch at 11, and it was still a little underbaked on top. I thought snickerdoodles could make it into my top 10 cookies list, but I think not. The recipe was great. Snickerdoodles just aren’t my kind of cookie, even though I loooove cinnamon.

  103. Sam Reply

    I tried your recipe and still had the same flat, crunchy snickerdoodles. =( WHY DO THESE THINGS EVADE ME SO? The only time they came out right was when I first made them 3 years ago, since then, nothing but trouble.

  104. Heidi Reply

    This is the BEST recipe for snickerdoodles. My husband told me to throw out any other recipes I have, “this is the one” (when he says quit trying to find something better and get rid of any other recipes, that is a high compliment:). I’ve taken them to multiple gatherings and every time someone asks for the recipe. I follow the recipe step by step, including chilling the dough and pans between batches. These cookies turn out just like the pics show, and taste delicous, they are soft too! Thanks for posting! Getting ready to whip up a batch for a dinner party tomorrow, I’m in charge of dessert:)

  105. Laura Reply

    Not gonna lie, I found your blog when I was looking up pictures of what snickerdoodles are supposed to look like for my roommate. I made snickerdoodles tonight and I had THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. It turned into a huge, snickerdoodle pie! My roommates were elated, of course, because it still tasted like a snickerdoodle, but it just wasn’t the same for the little perfectionist baker inside.

    Next time, I’m going to try your recipe!

  106. Nichole Reply

    these were the best snickerdoodles I have ever had. I love how soft they were. thanks for the recipe!

    • Michelle Reply

      Yay! You’re welcome!

  107. Valerie Reply

    Would love to pack frozen cookie dough in care-pkg for my daughter w/ this recipe for Snickerdoodles. However, not sure if I am able to roll final batter in cinnamon and sugar so that all she’ll have to do is scoop and bake. ????????

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Valerie, How nice of you!! I probably would not. I would probably send her instructions to combine the sugar and cinnamon in a little bowl and then scoop and roll the cookies in the mixture.

  108. Erin Reply

    The first time I made these, I accidentally used baking powder instead of baking soda. I was making 4 different kinds of cookies for a holiday bake off thing at work and got confused.

    The cookies turned out amazing, however they didn’t flatten; they kind of poofed. So they were like mini snickerdoodles, but I found that the smaller size increased the vanilla and butter flavor so each cookie was an intense snickerdoodle experience.

    Since then, I’ve tried it with the original baking soda, and haven’t liked them as much, so now I use whole wheat flower and baking powder and they’re awesome.

    Thanks for the best snickerdoodle recipe ever!

    • Michelle Reply

      You are welcome, I’m glad that a snafu helped you find a recipe that you love!

  109. Linda Reply

    Baking powder is approximately 2/3 baking soda and 1/3 cream of tar tar along with other little bits in it that make it baking powder. So, replacing the cream of tartar and baking soda with baking powder should work just fine

  110. Amy Reply

    What do you think the cream of tartar does for the snickerdoodles? I recently made them sans the tartar, and I thought they were tasty. I’ve seen some recipes with and some without. Any ideas?

  111. Joan Siler Reply

    Would anyone had the recipe for these cookies, but using Splenda instead of sugar? This is one of our family favorites, but my husband is now diabetic.

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Joan,

      I’ve never used Splenda in these (or other baked goods) but my understanding is that it can substituted on a 1:1 basis for regular sugar. I say give it a shot, and then report back and let us know how they turned out!

    • Humaira Reply

      Joan did you ever try it with Splenda? My husband is also recently diabetic and really feeling it.

    • Kate Reply

      Late to the party here but for future reference I used half sugar and half Splenda and they came out great!

  112. AsianSupper Reply

    LOVE your photography. Can’t wait to try out this recipe for Labor Day weekend

  113. Tina Reply

    These look perfect! I’m going to give these a try. Any idea how many days they will keep?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Tina, If you keep them sealed up in an airtight container they should stay good for up to about 5 days I would guess. Cookies never last very long around these parts, so I’m giving you my best educated answer :)

  114. Beth Reply

    Made these today on a whim. I cheated and didn’t chill the dough or the cookie sheet. They were absolutely delicious and chewy and perfect. Yum.

  115. Crystal Reply

    Hey I tried these cookies for a party the other day and they were a hit! Definitely a keeper! Love the photos as well!

  116. Tom Reply

    I always made a tone of these during the holidays they are addictive. Their also pretty flexible working with cream icings as sandwich cookies & substituting flavors with different extracts (minus cinnamon) but I was kinda curious how these cookies ever got their name of snickerdoodles if there was not one snickers in it? lol :o)

  117. Brandon Reply

    Angela, I usually place some aluminum foil on the tray and I have no problems.

  118. Angela Reply

    Hi Michelle,
    I REALLY want to try baking this but I just realized that i have no parchment paper or a baking mat or what-so-ever. So I was wondering if maybe I could just grease the baking tray and omit the parchment paper? Will the cookies stick?
    THANKS.
    -Angela

  119. Kurt Reply

    I’m an Australian, where Snickerdoodles are virtually unknown. In fact, before I became something of an avid baker myself, I, nor anyone I knew, had ever heard of them. All I’ve ever really known is that they’re dipped in cinnamon sugar, which always had me intrigued, as I love anything with cinnamon sugar.

    Anyway, I decided to make some today, after a small batch of Ginger nuts got me in the mood. I used this recipe, and good god was I delighted. This recipe results in pure happiness, concentrated into a cookie. Thank you very much for the recipe, and if anyone’s on the fence about making them; do it! There’s no possible room for disappointment.

  120. Andy Reply

    These came out excellent.

    Thank you for the recipe, as well as the tip about baking powder. I don’t have cream of tartar, so substituted the baking powder for the baking soda and cream of tartar. Came out wonderful!

  121. Ellen Reply

    I had to let them about 30 minutes in the oven.
    But they got great!

  122. Ellen Reply

    The dough is chilling right now.
    I can’t wait to see and try the snickerdoodles fresh from the oven!

    Kisses from Brazil :)

  123. PANASHE Reply

    i love this it is yummy and deliocous

  124. Lisa Reply

    Michelle, thanks for the substitution info — I’m in eastern Europe and can’t get cream of tartar. I used baking powder and the results were great! :) Thanks!

  125. Hana Reply

    How funny, the snickerdoodles that I bake always come out way too puffy! They don’t spread at all, so I spread them myself a little bit before baking them. I do use half butter and half shortening though. But this ones do look really good :)! I may try them in the future.

  126. Kim S. Reply

    I’m a little late to the party here, but thought I’d toss my two cents in…
    I noticed another Kim mentioned not being able to have sugar. Thought I’d let you all know that I make my snickerdoodles with Splenda instead of Sugar and they’re still very yummy!! They don’t look the same. For some reason they come out shaped like little bon-bons, but they taste great!! :)

  127. Disha Reply

    Thank you so much Michelle for ur quick response! Wll let u know how they turn out!

  128. Michelle Reply

    Hi Disha – If you don’t have cream of tartar, you would substitute baking powder for both the baking soda and cream of tartar.

    For this recipe, use 4 teaspoons baking powder and omit BOTH the baking soda and cream of tartar.

    (For future reference, the substituting formula is 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar.)

  129. Disha Reply

    Hi Michelle,
    I love ur website. I’ve been wanting to bake these since the day i saw them here but cream of tartar is not available in the stores around here. I’m form India.
    Anyway, is there any other ingredient I could substitute it with?
    -Disha.

  130. Michelle Reply

    Hi Karissa – Oh gosh, a pumpkin/cream cream icing sounds absolutely fabulous sandwiched between these cookies!! Love that idea!!

  131. Karissa Reply

    Thank you for passing along the snickerdoodle sandwich cookie idea! I used a pumpkin/cream cheese icing to make sandwich cookies, and it was fabulous! I also added a little cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg to the cookie dough.

  132. Michelle Reply

    Hi Tyler – So happy to hear you enjoyed these! Thanks for coming back and sharing your results!

  133. Tyler Reply

    I found this recipe via google, and made them this morning and they turned out great. Thank you!

  134. Emily Reply

    These cookies are incredible. They come out so soft, chewy, perfect. They might be my favorite cookie!

  135. Michelle Reply

    Hi Lauryn – Yes, you can definitely make the dough and it chill overnight before baking. Enjoy! :)

  136. Lauryn Reply

    These cookies look amazing! Do you think it would be ok if I made the dough and let it chill overnight before baking?

  137. Jessica Reply

    YUM! I made these Friday night last minute and brought them for get-together and they were a huge hit – so tasty. Easy to eat a lot of them! I’m usually a chocolate girl but these are my new favorite go-to cookies…

  138. Ela Reply

    i love snickerdoodles!!!

  139. Brooke Reply

    I have never made snickerdoodles but decided to try these tonight. They are DELICIOUS!! May be my new favorite cookie!

  140. Eliana Reply

    These look amazing and making them into ice cream sandwiches takes them over the top!

  141. Alisa@Foodista Reply

    I love snickerdoodles and it’s been a long time since I last had one! Thank you for sharing this recipe! Im making this right away!

  142. Annie Reply

    Yum, totally loving the ice cream sandwich idea. I’m definitely going to try that!

  143. Michelle Reply

    Hi Kim,

    You can definitely use your salted butter, just omit the 1/4 teaspoon of salt that is called for in the recipe. I hope you enjoy these and have a great trip!

    -Michelle

  144. Kim Reply

    What would happen if I used salted butter? We are going on a trip tomorrow and I thought about making these for hubby, boys to snack on. Only have salted butter in fridge. Not a good idea? I can’t have sugar otherwise I would LOVE to try one of those sandwiches! hmmm

  145. Lindsey Reply

    These look delicious! I haven’t made or eaten snickerdoodles in ages…

  146. Steph Reply

    Your snickerdoodles look perfect. That is exactly the way I wish mine would look instead of puffy. I’m going to have to try your recipe!

  147. Tracey Reply

    Ooooh those look terrific! I don’t really have a go-to snickerdoodle recipe so I’ll definitely be giving these a shot. I hope mine look as tasty as yours!

  148. Katie Reply

    Snickerdoodles are one of my all-time favorite cookies, and although I have my go-to recipe every time I make them…. I think I am going to have to give this one a try! The look delicious!

  149. Michele Reply

    Your ice cream sammys looks soo much better than the ones I’m used to!

  150. elly Reply

    They look great! Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies. Glad you liked the ice cream sandwich idea – homemade cookies make the best ice cream sandwiches!

  151. Valerina Reply

    The only thing missing from my pantry is the cream of tartar otherwise I would be all over this recipe! :) I’m not a huge fan of this cookie for the exact same reasons you stated. They are always too crunchy and flat. Based on the pictures though this recipe looks like the diamond in the rough. Thanks.

  152. Kristen Reply

    My absolute favorite type of cookie, and yours do look so soft and delicious! Glad you conquered this :)

  153. stephchows Reply

    Seriously making my eyeballs drool. Look at all the cinnamon!!! So good!

  154. Jessica Reply

    Thank you for posting this recipe. I have also had a horrible time with snickerdoodles and my little boy loves them and asks for them often!

  155. Meghan Reply

    These sound like a great recipe! I don’t like crunchy Snickerdoodles either. Your pictures are beautiful!!! And Elly is a genius – snickerdoodle ice cream sandwiches sound amazing!

  156. shelly Reply

    Snickerdoodle ice cream sandwiches are yummy!! Have you tried snickerdoodle ice cream?

  157. Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes) Reply

    Ooh yum!! These look great! Glad you finally had success with them, I love snickerdoodles! How about trying the muffins adaptations from peabody’s site.. they are even better!!

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