Name: 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 utterly comforting about that warm cinnamon-sugar aroma filling your kitchen, isn’t there? This Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe nails that classic soft, chewy texture we all crave, making it a go-to for any time you want a sweet, cozy treat that feels like a hug in cookie form.

A stack of five light brown cookies with a soft, crumbly texture is centered on a white marbled surface, with the top cookie showing a bite taken out of it. Around the stack, several whole cookies lie flat, all uniformly round and golden in color, appearing chewy and slightly cracked on top. In the blurry background, a white bottle is partly visible, adding a homey feel to the scene. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the warm tones of the cookies 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 Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made plenty of snickerdoodle recipes over the years, but this one stands out every time. It’s all about that perfect balance of chewy softness with just enough cinnamon kick, plus it’s super simple to throw together—even if you’re new to baking. Trust me, your kitchen and your taste buds will thank you.

Perfectly chewy texture: This recipe uses both egg and egg yolk which keeps the cookies tender and chewy all the way through.
Classic cinnamon sugar coating: Rolling the dough in cinnamon sugar adds a delightful crispy-sweet crust that makes each bite magical.
Easy to make and forgiving: You don’t need fancy ingredients, and chilling the dough means less spreading and perfectly shaped cookies.
Batch friendly: This recipe yields lots of cookies to share—or stash away for later, which I always appreciate!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays its part in making these cookies as chewy, flavorful, and perfectly spiced as they are. Here’s why I love using these specific components, plus some tips so you can shop confidently.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with cream of tartar, another small white bowl containing baking soda, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with salt, a few sticks of unsalted butter, soft and unwrapped, a small white bowl holding granulated sugar, a small white bowl with light brown sugar, two whole large eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl with pure vanilla extract, and a separate small white bowl with a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed 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 base of our cookies—make sure to spoon and level it for accurate measurement to avoid dry, crumbly dough.
Cream of tartar: This little ingredient is the secret to that classic snickerdoodle tang and chewy texture.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be tender without fluffing them up too much.
Ground cinnamon: Adds that warm spice essential to snickerdoodles, both in the dough and coating.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates that rich, tender bite—don’t substitute with margarine or cold butter here.
Granulated sugar: For sweetness and a slight crisp edge on the cookie.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and depth of flavor that helps keep the cookies chewy.
Large egg + egg yolk: The egg yolk boosts chewiness and richness, while the whole egg helps bind everything together.
Pure vanilla extract: Brings out the warm vanilla notes that complement the cinnamon beautifully.
Sugar + cinnamon (for coating): The final touch that gives the cookies their signature snickerdoodle sparkle and crunch.

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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 my favorite things about this Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe is how versatile it is. I often tweak it slightly to fit the mood or occasion—feel free to do the same! Personalizing it makes every batch feel a little more special.

Variation: Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar mix for an extra warming spice kick that my friends absolutely adore.
Dietary tweaks: For dairy-free versions, swapping butter for a quality plant-based alternative works well, just chill the dough a bit longer before baking to manage spread.
Texture preference: If you want even chewier cookies, I recommend beating the butter and sugars for an extra minute for a fluffier dough before mixing in dry ingredients.

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

The image shows light tan dough in a clear glass bowl with a white mixing blade in the center. The dough looks slightly crumbly and sticky, clinging around the mixing blade and bowl edges. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients with Care

Start by whisking together your flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spice so every cookie bakes up perfectly consistent. I like to use a whisk here instead of a spoon to get it fully blended.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat your softened butter with both sugars for about 1-2 minutes until they’re combined but not too fluffy. You want a smooth, creamy mixture—a good balance that’s key to chewiness. Don’t skip scraping down the sides of your bowl as you go to incorporate everything evenly.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until just combined. These ingredients add richness and moisture. At this point, you can stop and scrape your bowl again—no one wants hidden pockets of unmixed dough!

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Chill

Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture and stir until just combined; overmixing can toughen your cookies. Cover your dough tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling step is crucial—it firms up the dough so the cookies won’t spread too thin and stay chewy.

Step 5: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While your dough chills, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl for rolling. This classic coating gives every cookie its signature sparkly, crispy exterior—a must-do if you want authentic snickerdoodle vibes.

Step 6: Shape and Coat Your Cookies

Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat well. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or silicone mats, leaving space for spreading. I find that rolling dough balls about 1¼ inches in diameter gives the best results for even baking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 8-10 minutes until the tops are set but the centers still look soft—that’s your cue for chewy goodness. Resist the urge to overbake or your cookies will lose that tender texture. Let them cool on the pan 5-10 minutes to finish setting before transferring to a wire rack.

Top Tip

Through making this Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe a handful of times, I’ve learned some small but game-changing tips that ensure your cookies come out flawless every batch.

Chill the dough thoroughly: I never skip the chill—even quick 1 hour times outspread and affect texture a lot.
Use room temperature eggs: This helps the dough come together more smoothly and bounce back during baking.
Don’t overmix the dry ingredients: Mixing just until combined keeps your cookies tender, not tough.
Watch the baking time: Cookies continue to cook slightly on the hot sheet after removal, so pull them when tops are set but centers still look soft for chewy perfection.

How to Serve Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

Snickerdoodle Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple here by dusting extra cinnamon sugar lightly on top right after baking. For a fancy touch, a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can turn these cookies into an irresistible treat your guests will rave about.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a steaming mug of chai or coffee, which really amplifies the cinnamon flavors. For an indulgent dessert, I like serving them alongside vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for contrast in temperature and texture.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve brought these to parties, I presented them stacked on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra cinnamon sugar for dipping. Another hit was lining up the cookies in little gift boxes tied with cinnamon sticks and twine—a perfect homemade gift idea.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Snickerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature, with a slice of bread inside to keep them soft and chewy. The cookies stay fresh for about 4-5 days this way—if you want to stretch that, freezing is your friend.

Freezing

The dough freezes beautifully! I scoop out the dough balls, coat them in cinnamon sugar, and freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, bake from frozen adding a minute or two to the baking time. This way, you can enjoy fresh snickerdoodles anytime.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. It brings back that soft, freshly baked feel—perfect for a quick snack fix.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend designed for 1:1 ratio substitution. I recommend adding a little xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t have it to help with texture.

Why do snickerdoodles need cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar is what gives snickerdoodles their signature tangy flavor and helps stabilize the cookies to create that classic chewy texture. It also reacts with baking soda, making the cookies rise and develop a slight crackly surface.

How can I make these cookies more chewy instead of cakey?

For extra chewy cookies, make sure to include an egg yolk, don’t overmix the dough, and chill it before baking. Also, watch the baking time carefully and pull them out when the centers are still slightly soft.

Can I freeze baked snickerdoodle cookies?

Yes, you can freeze fully baked cookies. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven to refresh the texture.

Final Thoughts

This Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe has become my trusted classic for cookies that are soft in the center, crispy on the outside, and bursting with beautiful cinnamon flavor. I love sharing these with friends because baking them feels like sharing a little comfort and joy in every bite. So go ahead—try it out, experiment if you want, but most importantly, enjoy the process and those irresistible cookies that come out of your oven. I promise, these snickerdoodles will become a favorite for you and everyone lucky enough to get one!