The best snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar and baking powder! The goal was to make this snickerdoodle recipe easy and produce soft, thick, and tangy snickerdoodles without the need for cream of tartar. I know you’ll love this chewy snickerdoodle recipe! And if you're looking for no-fail cookie recipes, look no further than my Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies, my Ginger Crinkle Cookies, and my Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter and Sea Salt!
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Best Snickerdoodle Recipe
Snickerdoodles are a classic for a reason! They're simple, yet so beloved for their soft, chewy texture and amazing cinnamon sugar flavor! But typically, the key to a chewy snickerdoodle recipe is one ingredient: cream of tartar. And if you're viewing this recipe there's a good chance you're like me, and you never have cream of tartar on hand when you need it! Or perhaps you don't love the distinct tangy flavor that cream of tartar provides. Either way, this easy snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar is just what you need!
What is a snickerdoodle?
Snickerdoodles are a classic cookie famous for their soft, chewy texture and cinnamon-sugar topping. They are said to have German origin, with their name coming from a corruption of the German word Schneckennudel. They're primarily appreciated in the United States, where they're especially loved during autumn and the holiday season. And they're just SO good!
What is cream of tartar?
Despite what its name would suggest, cream of tartar is NOT creamy and has nothing to do with tartar sauce. It's actually a powdery substance that is a byproduct of the process of fermenting wine. It's often used in whipping up egg whites to help stabilize the air bubbles, creating a meringue with a smoother, stiffer consistency. And it's also famously used in snickerdoodles! You'd have a hard time finding a classic snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar!
What does cream of tartar do to a cookie recipe?
The question is: why do snickerdoodles have cream of tartar? Well, cream of tartar is in many ways what makes a snickerdoodle a snickerdoodle. It works in two ways: it adds acid with reacts with baking soda to provide lift and texture, and it adds a tangy flavor that snickerdoodles are distinct for. Cream of tartar also contributes to a chewier cookie, since it prevents sugar from crystallizing and creating a crunch.
What can I use instead of cream of tartar in snickerdoodles?
If you don't have cream of tartar on hand, no worries! In this recipe we're replacing the tanginess that we would otherwise get from cream of tartar with some fresh lemon juice. We're also adding a bit of cream cheese for tanginess and texture. The result is a soft, chewy snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar!
Ingredients
- butter - your butter should be room temperature. See below for a tip for how to soften your butter to room temperature quickly! I like to use salted butter to add flavor to this chewy snickerdoodles recipe, but if you prefer to use unsalted butter, just add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt in with your dry ingredients.
- cream cheese - I recommend using full-fat cream cheese for this recipe. Like the butter, your cream cheese should also be softened to room temperature.
- granulated sugar and light brown sugar - this balance of sweetness gives these snickerdoodles the best flavor and texture!
- eggs - your eggs should be room temperature to help your snickerdoodles bake evenly.
- vanilla - be sure to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Or better yet, check out my post on how to make vanilla extract at home with just 2 ingredients!
- lemon juice - to replace the tangy flavor imparted by cream of tartar, we're adding a bit of lemon juice. It won't make your snickerdoodles lemony, don't worry!
- all-purpose flour - be sure to use a kitchen scale to measure your flour by weight, or use the spoon-and-level method to measure by volume.
- baking soda - this is the source of our lift that the cookies need!
- ground cinnamon and granulated sugar - for that classic snickerdoodle topping!
Equipment
This is the best snickerdoodle recipe! I love that it's so simple to make -- you'll just need standard cookie making tools like an electric mixer, a small cookie scoop, and a baking sheet. I also use a silicone baking liner and a kitchen scale. Here are all of my favorite tools for this chewy snickerdoodle recipe:
Tips and F.A.Q.
No you can't -- in most recipes, cornstarch won't have the same effect in either flavor or texture.
These snickerdoodles taste similar to classic snickerdoodles, thanks to the lemon we're adding! They also are a bit thicker and softer, thanks to the cream cheese.
To soften your butter, place the stick of butter on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 4 seconds. Turn so another side of the stick of butter is facing up and heat for another 4 seconds. Repeat for a total of 16 seconds.
To soften your cream cheese for these key lime cookies, just remove it from the foil and place on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in the microwave for 10 seconds or until softened. It should be ready to add to the recipe!
This recipe yields soft, thick snickerdoodles. They won't get too flat, but I personally love a nice thick cookie! If you would like them to flatten out a bit more, you can use a spatula to press the dough balls down a bit before you put them in the oven.
They're easily stored at room temperature for up to two days! If you're storing them for longer, you can freeze them, well wrapped, for up to two months.
More Cookie Recipes You'll Love!
- Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies Recipe
- Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter and Sea Salt
- Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies
- Ginger Crinkle Cookies
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- ¾ cup salted butter - room temperature
- 2 oz cream cheese - softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar - packed
- 2 large eggs - room temperature
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Topping
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
- In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese, butter, and sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs, and vanilla, and lemon juice and mix well.
- Stir in flour and baking soda to form a dough.
- In a small bowl, stir together cinnamon and sugar for topping.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out cookie dough balls roll in cinnamon sugar a few times to ensure topping sticks to cookie dough. You may need to re-form dough into a neat ball after rolling.and place 2 inches apart on lined cookie sheet.
- Place dough balls 2 inches apart on lined baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes in preheated oven. Cool snickerdoodles completely on a wire rack.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Veronika Sykorova
Cream of tartar is something I don’t usually buy or have so I appreciate this recipe doesn’t have any. These cookies look delicious!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! They're so yummy!
Aya
I love the fact that this snickerdoodle recipe does not have cream of tartar. The use of cream cheese and lemon is absolutely brilliant!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much!
Natalie
Saw this recipe on a YouTube short clip and was lucky to have all of these ingredients. It was truly amazing! Delicious in taste wish a soft, decadent, inside. Will definitely be referring to this recipe again. Just started baking with my daughter and these were by far her favorite. Thanks Chenée! ❤️
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed them and that you could try them out with your daughter! 🙂
Hayley Dhanecha
I and my family love snickerdoodle cookies, these are so perfectly done. Can't wait to bake my own without cream of tarter.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! I'm glad you like them!
Moop Brown
I love that for this recipe these cookies look so thick and fluffy and like the perfect texture. Can't wait to try!
Chenée Lewis
You'll love them! 🙂
Tammy
I love snickerdoodles and yours look perfect and soft! Such a perfect cookie to welcome the fall season with.
Chenée Lewis
I definitely agree!! Thanks!
Veronika
OMG! I just made these cookies and they are AMAZING! They are soft and chewy and was super easy to make!
Chenée Lewis
So glad you liked them!!
Linda
What gorgeous-looking cookies! I've never made them without cream of tartar but I am sure going to try this one! Love the idea of adding cream cheese for a softer creamier cookie. I want to pop one of them in my mouth right now!
Chenée Lewis
Thanks!! I hope you love them!
Bernice
Well it certainly looks like you've achieved what you set out to do. These snickerdoodles have the perfect flavour and texture...no cream of tartar needed!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! I'm glad they worked out for you!!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
The puff on these cookies is amazing! Seriously, I could easily down a plate myself! These look incredible! Adding these to my holiday cookie rotation for sure! Thank you so much for sharing!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much!! 🙂
shelby
I tried this as you wrote it without the cream of tartar to see what my kids would say because they are my food critics! They absolutely loved these cookies. Thank you for sharing this knowledge!
Chenée Lewis
I'm so glad they liked them! Thanks!