If you love snickerdoodles but don’t have cream of tartar on hand, this snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar is the perfect solution. With just a few simple pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of soft, chewy cookies that stay crispy around the edges and burst with cinnamon-sugar flavor. Let’s dive into this classic treat, made easier and more accessible for everyone.
What Makes This Recipe Unique?
Traditional snickerdoodles often call for cream of tartar, an acidic ingredient that provides a distinct tanginess and helps with the rising process. However, we’ve found that leaving it out can yield equally delicious results without the extra trip to the store. By substituting baking powder for cream of tartar, you still get a slight puff and perfect texture, while maintaining the familiar buttery, cinnamon sweetness.
Why Skip Cream of Tartar?
Cream of tartar can sometimes be a hassle to find, and for many, it’s not a staple in the kitchen. While traditional snickerdoodles rely on it for the signature tang and texture, its absence in this recipe won’t be missed. In fact, the omission allows the buttery flavor to come through even stronger. Moreover, using baking powder instead of cream of tartar simplifies the recipe and ensures that anyone can make these cookies with ingredients they likely already have on hand.
Ingredients You Will Need
For this snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar, we are keeping it simple and accessible:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder (the perfect substitute for cream of tartar and baking soda)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for that unmistakable snickerdoodle flavor)
- ¼ cup sugar (for rolling)
These ingredients come together to make a classic cookie dough, with the added bonus of a cinnamon-sugar coating for extra flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar
1. Prepare the Dough
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow with the vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor.
2. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, ensuring everything is well combined but not overmixed. The dough should be soft but firm enough to roll into balls.
3. Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and ¼ cup of sugar. Stir until fully mixed. This mixture will be used to coat the cookie dough balls before baking.
4. Roll and Coat the Dough
- Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the dough and roll them into balls between your hands.
- Roll each dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. This gives the cookies that signature snickerdoodle look and adds extra flavor to every bite.
5. Bake the Cookies
- Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. They may appear slightly undercooked in the center, but this is what gives them that chewy, soft texture in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
The Perfect Texture and Flavor
Without cream of tartar, these snickerdoodles maintain their classic buttery and cinnamon-rich flavor, but you’ll notice they’re slightly less tangy than the traditional version. The baking powder ensures they rise enough to stay soft in the middle while forming crispy edges. The cinnamon-sugar coating adds a wonderful crunch and extra spice, making each bite irresistible.
