Snickerdoodles

Name: Snickerdoodles
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 88 min
Ingredients: 275 grams unsalted butter; 325 grams granulated sugar; ½ tsp salt; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 medium eggs; 400 grams all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; ½ tsp baking powder; 100 grams granulated sugar; 1-2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Posted: November 6, 2026

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Delicious soft cookies with a light crispy edge and just the right amount of cinnamon. A perfectly easy cookie for all cookie lovers!

What are Snickerdoodles?

The first time I heard about snickerdoodles, I assumed they were cookies filled with pieces of Snickers. These cookies are not well known in The Netherlands. It’s still a great idea if you ask me, but that’s definitely not what a snickerdoodle is!

Snickerdoodles are classic American cookies known for their soft texture and cinnamon sugar coating. Instead of mixing lots of cinnamon into the cookie dough itself, the balls of dough are rolled in cinnamon sugar before they go into the oven.

The texture surprised me when I first made them. These aren’t crisp cookies all the way through. The edges are lightly crisp, while the centers stay soft and almost cake-like. Different from the cookies I grew up with in the Netherlands, but absolutely delicious!

Delicious American Classic

These snickerdoodles are very easy to make and so delicious. In a way they kind of remind me a bit of Dutch egg cakes but they are not exactly the same. You’ll want to make these for the following reasons.

Soft and almost cake-like in the center
Lightly crisp around the edges
Covered in a delicious layer of cinnamon sugar
Made with simple, everyday ingredients

Recipe Ingredients

For making these classic American cookies you don’t need many ingredients. Still, it is always a good idea to make sure you have the correct information by checking the recipe card below.

unsalted butter – the base of the cookie dough. Let the butter soften before mixing so it combines easily with the sugar
granulated sugar – used in both the cookie dough and the cinnamon sugar coating
salt – a small amount balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors
vanilla extract – adds extra flavor to the cookie dough. You can use store-bought or make your own vanilla extract
eggs – help bind the ingredients and contribute to the soft texture
all-purpose flour – gives the cookies their structure
baking soda and baking powder – this recipe uses both to create the characteristic texture of these soft cookies
cinnamon – mixed with sugar to make the coating that goes around each ball of dough

How To Make Snickerdoodles

Making snickerdoodles is pretty straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of special tools. Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature before starting your baking session.

Take a large bowl and mix the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla extract until it is creamy. This takes a couple of minutes. Then add the eggs one by one.

Now add the dry ingredients, flour, baking soda and baking powder and mix it together. Let the dough chill for an hour before you bake the cookies.

Once the dough is properly chilled shape balls of around 40 grams/1.4 oz each and roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar. If you find it easier you can use something like a cookie scoop to make sure they are equally sized. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies at 400˚F/200˚C (conventional oven) or until lightly golden brown. These are meant to be soft cookies, so don’t bake them for too long. This should take around 8 to 13 minutes, depending on your oven. Cool on a wire rack.

How to Store Snickerdoodles

Let the snickerdoodles cool completely before storing them. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature so they stay soft and delicious.

How long do snickerdoodles stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container, the cookies will keep for about 1–2 weeks.

Can you freeze snickerdoodles?

You can also freeze snickerdoodles in an airtight container for up to three months.

Love freshly baked cookies every time? You can also freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Freeze the balls of dough and place frozen on a baking sheet. Add 2-3 minutes to the baking time and enjoy your warm cookie!

More Easy Cookie Recipes

Of course, you can find a lot of different cookie recipes on Laura’s Bakery. A few favorites!

Why are my snickerdoodles soft in the middle?

That’s exactly how they’re supposed to be! Snickerdoodles have lightly crisp edges with a soft center. The inside can even have a slightly cake-like texture.

Do snickerdoodles contain Snickers?

No, despite the name! Snickerdoodles don’t contain Snickers candy bars. They’re soft cookies coated in cinnamon sugar.

Although now that I think about it, cookies filled with chopped Snickers still sound like a pretty good baking project.

Why does the cookie dough need to chill?

Chilling firms up the dough, which makes it easier to roll into balls. For this recipe, let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Check this article to learn why it is always a good idea to chill cookie dough.

How big should I make the cookies?

Use about 40 grams/1.4 oz of dough for each cookie. Making the balls roughly the same size also helps them bake evenly.

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Snickerdoodles

When you hear snickerdoodles, you might think of cookies filled with pieces of Snickers, but they’re actually delicious soft American cinnamon sugar cookies. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!

Preparation15

Cooking13

Chilling1

Total1 28

Servings: cookies

Ingredients

US Customary | Metric

275 grams unsalted butter
325 grams granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
400 grams all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder

Cinnamon sugar

100 grams granulated sugar
1-2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Beat the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated before adding the next egg.
Add the flour, baking soda, and baking powder and mix until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
After chilling, briefly knead the dough and shape it into balls of about 40 grams each.
In a small bowl, mix the extra sugar and cinnamon. Roll each ball of dough in the cinnamon sugar and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Gently press the dough balls down to flatten them slightly. Make sure to leave enough space between the cookies.
Bake at 400°F/200°C (conventional oven) for 8-13 minutes, until the cookies are baked through and lightly golden.
Let the snickerdoodles cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

The centers of these snickerdoodles should stay nice and soft. Don’t wait until the cookies feel completely firm before taking them out of the oven.

How to store

Store the snickerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1-2 weeks.

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Snickerdoodles

What are Snickerdoodles?

Delicious American Classic

Recipe Ingredients

How To Make Snickerdoodles