Want to make delicious and easy snickerdoodles without cream of tartar? This snickerdoodle cookie recipe is made with easy pantry ingredients! Super soft, chewy and packed with cinnamon flavor. The perfect simple cookie recipe to make with kids!
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Cream of tartar is one of those ingredients that many people just don’t keep in their pantry. What is cream of tartar you say? Some argue that cream of tartar is an essential ingredient in snickerdoodle cookies giving it a signature tangy flavor.
I say you can make snickerdoodles without cream of tartar using some easy substitutions that taste just as (or more) delicious! Frankly, I never met a cookie I didn’t like. How about you?
If you are looking for a delicious gluten free cookie option, be sure to check out these Peanut Butter Almond Flour Cookies. There are easy vegan substitutions and no one will even know they are gluten free because they are so delicious! For you cookie lovers, you will also love these Soft Gingerbread Cookies and Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies!
Enough about cookies! Back to the show. These homemade snickerdoodle cookies without cream of tartar are a crowd pleaser that you and your family will love! You might want to make a double batch. Just saying!
Why this recipe is awesome!
- These homemade snickerdoodle cookies without cream of tartar are so easy to make that you can make them with your kids! Even toddlers love to join in the fun. If you really want to take it over the top, smear these snickerdoodle cookies with some Cream Cheese Frosting without Butter.
- This recipe can be made with easy pantry ingredients and has the easiest substitute for cream of tartar in snickerdoodles! Enter secret weapon, lemon juice.
- This snickerdoodle cookies recipe isn’t moody. Other than making sure you measure your flour correctly (see flour measuring tip!), its really hard not to end up with delicious, super soft and fluffy cookies.
Ingredients for this recipe
Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough(without cream of tartar)
- Flour: Use all purpose white flour for this recipe.
- Baking Soda
- Ground Cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted Butter: If you only have salted butter on hand, you can omit salt from recipe. For a vegan modification, you can substitute vegan butter.
- Granulated Sugar
- Egg: Use a large egg for this recipe. For vegan modification, you can use a flax egg (mix 1 tbsp flaxseed meal and 2.5 tbsp water, allow to rest for 5 minutes to thicken).
- Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract: This vanilla bean paste has great vanilla bean flavor. I also love the vanilla bean paste from Trader Joe’s. If you use vanilla extract, be sure to use pure vanilla extract for a strong vanilla flavor.
- Lemon Juice: I prefer fresh squeezed lemon juice for this recipe. You can use the leftover lemon juice to make the salad dressing for my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad. Eat your cookies with a salad and that will even everything out!
Snickerdoodle Cinnamon and Sugar Coating
- Granulated Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
How to make snickerdoodles without cream of tartar
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line large cookie baking sheet with silicone baking mat or oven safe parchment paper. If you do not have either, grease your baking sheet with oil or butter.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar topping in small bowl. Set aside.
- Tip to Measure Flour: When you measure your flour, do not scoop it out directly as that can lead to using more flour than is needed. To correctly measure your flour, give the flour a stir with a fork or a whisk to loosen it. Spoon the flour into cup until it is heaping, then level with the flat side of a knife.
- In a large bowl beat together butter, sugar, egg, vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and lemon juice.
- In second large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and combine using beater until combined. The dough will look like crumbly little balls.
- Using your hands, mold the dough into one large ball of snickerdoodle cookie dough.
- Using cookie scoop or your hands, form 12 evenly sized cookie balls (the balls will be slightly smaller than the size of a golf ball).
- Roll each cookie ball in your cinnamon sugar mixture. Place evenly spaced on your baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 12-3 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack.
What does cream of tartar do in snickerdoodles?
Cream of tartar can play many different roles in baking. Cream of tartar can be used to make baked goods rises, to stabilize egg whites or to prevent sugar from crystalizing.
Why cream of tartar in snickerdoodles you say? Cream of tartar is a common ingredient in snickerdoodles because it helps as a leavening agent and also gives them a slight tangy flavor.
However, with a little baking magic, we can omit the cream of tartar and make super fluffy and soft snickerdoodles with the perfect signature flavor.
Can you make snickerdoodles without cream of tartar?
Yes, after many different experiments, I found that lemon juice is the perfect substitute for cream of tartar in snickerdoodles. This snickerdoodles recipe without cream of tartar uses lemon juice to create that signature tang.
Also, while baking powder does not need an additional acid to work as a leavening agent, I found that using lemon juice as the cream of tartar substitute for snickerdoodles, it made the cookies slightly lighter and delicious.
FAQ and expert tips
Good substitutes for cream of tartar include lemon juice, buttermilk, vinegar, yogurt and baking powder. However, it is very important to determine the purpose for the cream of tartar in the baking application to pick the most appropriate substitute.
Snickerdoodles without cream of tartar should be the same consistency as regular snickerdoodle cookies. A very light airy crunch on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
Yes, this snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar includes vegan modifications. You can use vegan butter and flax egg in place of the dairy butter and egg.
Looking for other delicious dessert ideas?
- These Coconut Rum Balls are absolutely delicious for a holiday treat or all year round!
- This Chocolate Orange Cake is light, fluffy and full of orange chocolate decadence!
- These Vegan Blondies are easy and healthy! A great way to sneak in some protein for your kiddos.
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Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar
Equipment
- large baking sheet, oven safe parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough(without cream of tartar)
- 1½ cups all-purpose white flour (see notes to measure flour)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature or melt in microwave for about 30 seconds)
- ½ cup + 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp lemon juice
Snickerdoodle Cinnamon andSugar Coating
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line large cookie baking sheet with silicone baking mat or parchment paper. If you do not have either, grease your baking sheet with oil or butter.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar topping in small bowl. Set aside.
- Tip to Measure Flour: When you measure your flour, do not scoop it out directly as that can lead to using more flour than is needed. To correctly measure your flour, give the flour a stir with a fork or a whisk to loosen it. Spoon the flour into cup until it is heaping, then level with the flat side of a knife.
- In a large bowl beat together butter, sugar, egg, vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and lemon juice.
- In second large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and combine using beater until combined. The dough will look like crumbly little balls.
- Using your hands, mold the dough into one large ball of snickerdoodle cookie dough.
- Using cookie scoop or your hands, form 12 evenly sized cookie balls (the balls will be slightly smaller than the size of a golf ball).
- Roll each cookie ball in your cinnamon sugar mixture. Place evenly spaced on your baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 12-3 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack.
Paula
I never made snickerdoodles without cream of tartar but I tried this recipe and you don’t need it. I love these cookies! So easy and they were really soft and had a nice crunch on the outside.
Katlyn
Easy snickerdoodle recipe. Really delicious.
Alyssa
These snickerdoodle cookies were delish! Super soft with the perfect light crisp on the outside. Easy to make. Keeper!
Kate
I am a cookie snob and these snickerdoodles were delicious!
Aubrey
Thank you! I am a cookie snob myself and snickerdoodles are one of my favs.
Kirlyn
I am not generally a fan of weird ingredients on my food and wanted to make snickerdoodles without cream of tartar. Made these this morning with my kiddo and they turned out great! Light crunch on the outside, super soft and chewy on the inside – perfect! Will be making again.
Aubrey
So happy to hear! Weekend cookies are the best!
Desiree
I didn’t have cream of tartar and this snickerdoodle recipe was perfect! Tasted just like regular snickerdoodle cookies. So easy and my kiddos loved.
Aubrey
So happy to hear! Making cookies with the kids is the best for sure!