Snickerdoodles
In short: Soft, puffy snickerdoodles with a slight tangy edge from cream of tartar, rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked until the tops crinkle. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 24 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 24
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 135 kcal
Snickerdoodles are sugar cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar, with a faint tangy flavor and a soft, bendy center. The tangy note comes from cream of tartar, an acid that also helps the cookies puff up and then settle into pretty cracks. There is no chocolate or fruit, only butter, sugar, egg and pantry staples, which makes them a favorite for last-minute baking and holiday cookie plates.
Instructions
- Beat the butter and sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- Whisk the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt together. Stir them into the butter mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes, until firm enough to roll without sticking.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix the rolling sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls of about 30 g, then roll each one in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated. Place them 6 cm (2 1/2 in) apart.
- Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set, the tops are puffed and cracked, and the centers still look soft.
- Cool the cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a rack. They flatten slightly and crinkle as they cool.
Tips
- No cream of tartar? Leave it out along with the baking soda and use 2 teaspoons of baking powder instead. The cookies stay soft but are less tangy.
- Roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar twice for a thicker, crunchier coating, and do not flatten them. They spread on their own.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a snickerdoodle and a sugar cookie?
A snickerdoodle contains cream of tartar, which gives a tangy flavor and soft chew, and it is rolled in cinnamon sugar. A sugar cookie is plain, and is often rolled out and frosted.
Why did my snickerdoodles go flat?
The butter was probably too soft or the baking soda was old. Chill the dough, use fresh baking soda and bake on cool sheets.
How do I store snickerdoodles?
Keep them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
How long does it take to make Snickerdoodles?
About 25 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Snickerdoodles?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 19 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 90 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
