Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

My mother made Snickerdoodle Cookies when I as young, and I made Snickerdoodle Cookies for my children.  My daughters now make Snickerdoodle Cookies for my grandchildren.  As you can see, the Snickerdoodles Cookies are still a family favorite.

History:  Cookies, as we know them in America, were originally brought to the United States by our English, Scottish, and Dutch immigrants.  Earlier names for cookies such as Snickerdoodles and Cry Babies originated with the New England states.  Even with its early history, cookies did not become popular until about a hundred years ago.  In earlier American cookbooks, cookies were given no space of their own but were listed at the end of the cake chapter.  They were called by such names as “jumbles,” “Plunkets,” and “Cry Babies.”  The names were extremely puzzling and whimsical.  New England cooks seem to have had a penchant for giving odd names to their dishes, apparently for no other reason than the fun of saying them.  Snickerdoodles comes from a tradition of this sort that includes Graham Jakes, Jolly Boys, Branble, Tangle Breeches, and Kinkawoodles.

Learn more about the history of your favorite Cookies.

 

Snickerdoodle Cookies

More favorite Cookie Recipes and Secrets To Making Perfect Cookies.   Also learn How To Have A Successful Holiday Cookie Exchange or Cookie Swap.

 

Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe:
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: English
Keyword: Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
Servings: 8 dozen
Calories: 90 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening*
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon, ground
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  2. In a large bowl, cream vegetable shortening, butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy.  Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; stir until well blended.

  3. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon.

  4. Using your hands, roll dough into balls the size of small walnuts; roll in the prepared sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

  5. Bake approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown and just almost set (these cookies firm up as they cool).

  6. Remove from oven and cool on wire cooling racks.  Cookies puff when they begin to bake and then flatten out with crinkled tops.

Recipe Notes

* Do not try making this recipe using butter only and skipping the shortening.  You will not be happy! 

Nutrition Facts
Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe:
Amount Per Serving
Calories 90 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 


 

All-Time Family Favorite Christmas Cookies:

Peanut Butter Cookies
A recipe collection wouldn’t be complete without most children’s favorite cookie – Peanut Butter Cookies.  This is a very easy-to-make and delicious cookie.

Oatmeal Cookies
What could be easier and simpler than an old-fashioned oatmeal cookie?  Easy-to-make and always delicious! I like adding raisins to this simple version, but you can add nuts and/or chocolate chips if desired.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
The absolute best  Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.  The addition of powdered rolled oats makes these exception chocolate chip cookies.  This will definitely become your favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe!

Merry Christmas Cookies
Christmas would hardly seem like Christmas without fancifully shaped and decorated cookies.  You and your children will love these cookies.  The honey in this recipe makes these cookies melt in your mouth.

Spritz Cookies
Crisp, fragile, and buttery tasting. Great for Christmas goodies.  What Christmas holiday cookie plate would be complete without Spritz Cookies?  My mother made these every Christmas season since I was little, and I make them now.

 

 

 

Categories:

Christmas Cookies    Dessert Recipes    Molded Cookies   

Comments and Reviews

4 Responses to “Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe”

  1. Paige Williams

    I followed the directions and used all of the correct ingredients, yet my cookie dough was still wasn’t thick enough to roll, I put the cookies in the oven at 400 degrees and they expanded and got very liquidy, what did I do wrong?

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      I have never had the problem that you have, but here are a few suggestions:

      (1) One common problem that causes cookies to spread involves over-creaming the sugar and butter mixture. When you over-mix the dough, you over-aerate the dough. You should make sure that you scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that the ingredients are sufficiently mixed, but you should not cream them too much.

      (2) Another problem that can cause cookies to spread are baking them at too low of a temperature. You might need to check your oven with a oven thermometer.

      (3) If your home is very warm, refrigerate dough for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

      Reply
  2. Emily Schminke

    I have made this recipe for years and they are indeed the best! After rolling the dough balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture I refrigerate or freeze them until firm and then bake them. This keeps them from spreading too much and keeps they chewy. I agree that the shortening is a must for this recipe to turn out correctly. I have gotten multiple compliments over the years that these are the best snickerdoodles!

    Reply
  3. Kristi

    These are amazing! My dough was not firm enough so I added an extra 3/4 cup of flour and they are the best Snickerdoodles I have ever had. They were just the right amount of chewy, sweetness, etc. Will be bookmarking them and adding to our family cookbook. Thank you!

    Reply

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