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Home By Dessert Type Cookies

Classic Chewy Snickerdoodle Recipe

★★★★★ 9 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin12/11/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

chewy snickerdoodle pinterest
chewy snickerdoodle pinterest

The bold flavors of cinnamon will fill your kitchen as you make this chewy snickerdoodle recipe. Every bite melts in your mouth, and the cinnamon sugar lightly dusts your lips.

plate of snickerdoodles

The best chewy snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles take me back to my childhood. I remember rolling the sweet cookie dough into balls and then covering them in the cinnamon sugar coating. The cinnamon and sugar would get all over my hands, which was the best part – licking them clean!

Whether you want to turn on some music and spend some self-care time baking your favorite cookies, or you want to make some memories with your friends or family, these cookies are the perfect thing. They are almost as fun to eat as they are to bake!

And, if you’re looking for the secret to soft, chewy snickerdoodles, follow this recipe. If you follow each step exactly as it’s written, you’ll never have crispy or crunchy snickerdoodles again.

stacked snickerdoodles

Ingredients needed

This easy chewy snickerdoodle recipe is made with basic cookie ingredients you rely on. Here’s a bit more about what I used:

  • All-Purpose Flour: You’ll use 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour; if you need the cookies to be gluten-free, use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour.
  • Cream of Tartar: This is what makes the cookies soft and chewy, use 2 teaspoons.
  • Baking Soda: This gives the cookies a bit of rise and prevents them from being too dense. Use 1 teaspoon.
  • Cinnamon: Snickerdoodles need cinnamon – you’ll use one teaspoon in the dough.
  • Salt: About 1/2 teaspoon of salt will enhance all the other flavors in this cookie dough.
  • Butter: Softened, unsalted butter moistens the cookies, use 3/4 of a cup of butter. This is 1.5 sticks.
  • White Sugar: It takes 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar to sweeten the cookies.
  • Vanilla: Enhance the rich flavors of the cookies with two teaspoons of vanilla.
  • Eggs: You need eggs to bind and emulsify everything, use two large eggs.

You’ll also use another 1/4 a cup of white sugar and a tablespoon of cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar coating.

whipping eggs and butter
snickerdoodle cookies dough

Kitchen tools required

All you really need are two mixing bowls and a baking sheet. Here’s a bit more information about what I used to make these tasty homemade cookies.

Gather the following items before you begin:

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Non-Stick Spray
  • Whisk
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Hand Mixer
  • Spatula
  • Cookie Scoop
  • Cooling Rack

For measuring, you will need 1 cup, 3/4 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/4 cup, 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1/2 teaspoon.

How to make the best chewy snickerdoodle cookies

Making homemade chewy snickerdoodle cookies is the easiest thing ever to make! Here’s how to make them, step-by-step.

First, preheat the oven to 375F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.

Now you’re ready to mix the dough! In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set this aside.

Use a hand mixer to blend butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add in two eggs and vanilla and beat until creamy.

Next, slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until totally combined. Mix together sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Use a small cookie scoop or 1.5 tbsp dough to roll into balls. Then roll the dough in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Place on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

Store extra cookies in an airtight container.

making snickerdoodle cookies

Recipe Tips

Below are some common homemade chewy snickerdoodle cookie questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

What is the secret to chewy cookies?

The answer might surprise you. You see, the secret to making delightfully chewy snickerdoodle cookies is to use cream of tartar. This ingredient interacts chemically with the baking soda and creates cookies that rise while they bake. If your cookies still aren’t chewy enough, place the dough in the refrigerator for about an hour. This lets some of the moisture evaporate, which helps them be chewier.

Why did my snickerdoodles come out flat?

The most common problem with snickerdoodles is that they come out of the oven as flat as a pancake. This is often because the oven is too hot. As the cookies bake, the butter melts too quickly, which makes a flatter cookie. If you think your oven runs too hot, turn it down a few degrees before you make these cookies.

Why do my cookies get harder after they cool down?

Lots of cookies go from being soft while fresh out of the oven to a bit firmer texture as they cool. This is because they start to dry out as they cool down. This is why I like to pull the cookies out a little early. They can go into that state of evaporation and yet still stay moist and chewy, even long after they are cooled down.

How do you keep cookies moist and chewy?

Underbake the cookies, pulling them out before they become too crispy. Then, store the cookies with a slice of bread. The bread in the cookie jar or container will soak up the moisture from the cookies, preventing them from drying out.

snickerdoodle cookies

Storing leftovers

It’s best to store this chewy snickerdoodle recipe at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container for up to one week. These are the perfect cookies to keep in a cookie jar or a container that has a lid.

You can also freeze them too. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to six months.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Here are some of my favorite cookie recipes you should make next. Enjoy!

  • Maple Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
  • Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
  • Healthy White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  • Healthy Kitchen Sink Cookies

All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn

plate of snickerdoodles
stacked snickerdoodles
★★★★★ 5 from 9 reviews

Classic Chewy Snickerdoodle Recipe

The bold flavors of cinnamon will fill your kitchen as you make this chewy snickerdoodle recipe. Every bite melts in your mouth, and the cinnamon sugar lightly dusts your lips.

Prep: 15Cook: 15Total: 30 minutes
Yield 40 cookies 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cup white flour
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup softened butter (1.5 sticks)
  • 1.5 cups white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend together butter and sugar. Add in two eggs and vanilla and beat until creamy.
  4. Slowly add in flour mixture and mix until totally combined.
  5. Mix together sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  6. Use a small cookie scoop or 1.5 tbsp dough to roll into balls. Then roll dough in cinnamon sugar mixture.
  7. Place on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
  8. Store in airtight container.
Author: ErinCategory: holiday, cookieMethod: ovenCuisine: American
stacked snickerdoodles

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. AJ says

    Posted on 12/27 at 3:04 pm

    These cookies have been a massive hit the entire holiday season! A new staple that will be made year round!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/27 at 4:18 pm

      Hi AJ, so glad you loved them so much!!

      Reply
  2. Becca says

    Posted on 12/26 at 5:18 pm

    Sooo good! I think I baked them a little too long, but they were still delicious and will know better next time!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/27 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Becca, so glad you liked them still and just keep an eye on them next time!

      Reply
  3. Erin n says

    Posted on 12/26 at 2:12 pm

    SO. FREAKING. GOOD. Oh my gosh! I did not flatten mine on the baking sheet and they came out so pillowy soft in the middle. Will definitely be making again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/27 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Erin, so happy you loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kellen says

    Posted on 12/21 at 4:03 pm

    These classics never disappoint! I make them every year and everyone loves them!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/22 at 2:42 pm

      Hi Kellen, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  5. Heather says

    Posted on 12/20 at 5:35 pm

    Absolutely love this recipe! Perfect amount of sweetness and stays soft for days! Definitely making them again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/22 at 2:39 pm

      Hi Heather, so glad you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  6. tara says

    Posted on 12/19 at 2:06 pm

    These cookies were delicious! They were perfectly soft and chewy. I even sprinkled some extra cinnamon sugar on top once they were finished baking. Definitely adding these to the yearly cookie bake!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/19 at 7:46 pm

      Hi Tara, so glad you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  7. Margaret says

    Posted on 12/18 at 8:03 pm

    Perfect cookie consistency, perfect cookie. I could eat the whole pan in one sitting!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/19 at 7:44 pm

      Hi Margaret, so happy you loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Megan says

    Posted on 12/11 at 4:08 pm

    So simple and so yummy ! What a great way to start cookie week(:

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/11 at 5:31 pm

      Hi Megan, so glad you loved them! Thanks for being part of cookie week!!

      Reply
  9. Nicole says

    Posted on 12/11 at 2:59 pm

    Made for cookie week 2022! Easy, simple, delicious! A kid pleaser!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/11 at 5:31 pm

      Hi Nicole, so glad you loved them and thanks for being part of cookie week!! 🙂

      Reply

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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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