Snickerdoodles
These classic, tender cookies taste of sweet butter, cinnamon — and not much else. Since ground cinnamon plays such an important role, be sure to check that it's still fresh and spicy before making these treats. The cookies' secret ingredient, cream of tartar, is an acidic salt and a byproduct of wine making. Often used to help stabilize egg whites for meringues or as the acidic component of baking powder, it helps these cookies stay soft and chewy.
- Total:
- Serves: 1 person
Ingredients
- 1 ½cups/180 grams all-purpose flour
- 1teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½teaspoon baking soda
- ½teaspoon kosher salt
- 10tablespoons/140 grams unsalted butter (1 1/4 sticks), at room temperature
- ¾cup/150 grams granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons
- 1large egg
- ½teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.Step 2
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as necessary. Beat in the egg until creamy, and then add the vanilla, again scraping down the sides. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low until just combined.Step 3
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll the dough into golf-ball-size balls, then roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.Step 4
Transfer the dough to parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets, at least 3 inches apart. Bake the cookies until just set and dry in the center, 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake. Transfer each sheet to a rack to cool for a few minutes, then transfer the cookies to racks to cool completely.