• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bites with Bri
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Monthly Recaps
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Healthy Dinner Recipes
  • Easy Air Fryer Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Mexican Inspired Recipes
  • About Bri
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Bites with Bri » Dessert » Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar

    Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar

    Published: Aug 15, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit
    jump to recipe print recipe

    These Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar are soft, buttery, and full of cinnamon sugar. The best part? No cream of tartar or chilling is needed, but they are just still as good as the classic.

    Snickerdoodles without cream of tartar stacked up.

    I recently got a request over on Instagram for a snickerdoodle cookie recipe. So I decided it was time to revamp this post from over a year ago.

    If you are looking for more easy cookie recipes, try my Peanut Butter Almond Flour Cookies or Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar. For a more unique recipe, try my Date Filled Maamoul Cookies.

    Jump to:
    • What is Cream of Tartar?
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How To Make Make Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar
    • Expert Tips & Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Dessert Recipes
    • Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar

    What is Cream of Tartar?

    Cream of tartar is white powder that is found on the spice or baking aisle of most supermarkets. It has a tangy flavor because it is made from tartaric acid, hence the name. It is one of the ingredients in baking powder. 

    It is used in most traditional snickerdoodle recipes, but they can also be made without cream of tartar. It also used to stabilize egg whites.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • The dough does not require chilling so these only take about 30 minutes to make. 
    • These cookies are soft, chewy, and buttery. 
    • This recipe only requires 10 simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. No cream of tartar is needed.
    • Brown sugar gives these cookies a boost of flavor and a great texture. 
    • This cookie dough can be frozen in balls and baked fresh in less than 10 minutes.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Ingredients needed to make this snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar.
    • Butter: Pull the butter out of the fridge 1-2 hours before making the dough. If you are short on time, place the butter on a plate in its wrapper. Microwave on 50% power for 8 seconds. Flip and repeat.
    • White Vinegar: This is used in place of cream of tartar to give the cookies a slight tang. It is very subtle. You can also use lemon juice.

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    How To Make Make Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar

    Quick Overview

    • Cream the butter and sugar.
    • Mix in the rest of the wet ingredients. 
    • Fold in the dry ingredients. 
    • Scoop and roll in cinnamon sugar mixtures.
    • Bake and cool.

    Step by Step Instructions

    A 4 photo collage showing how to make the snickerdoodle dough.

    Do not over mix the cookie dough.

    Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer), cream the butter and sugar on medium high speed for 2 minutes.

    Step 2: Add the egg, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix on medium until combined.

    Step 3: In this order, add the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low or fold with a spatula until just combined.

    Step 4: On a small plate or in a shallow bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar.

    A 4 photo collage showing rolling the snickerdoodles and baking them.

    Do not over bake.

    Step 5: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop about 1.75 Tablespoons and roll it into a ball gently. The dough will be soft.

    Step 6: Roll in cinnamon sugar.

    Step 7: Place on the prepared baking sheet lined and repeat with the remaining dough (12 cookies per sheet).

    Step 8: Bake for 8-9 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, or until set. Transfer to a cooling rack.

    Expert Tips & Variations

    • Use softened butter. Cold or melted butter will not work in this recipe. You can soften it at room temperature or in the microwave. 
    • Cream the butter and sugar. Creaming adds air into the dough making the cookies soft and puffy.
    • Do not over mix the dry ingredients. Gently fold them in. Overmixing results in a tough cookie. 
    • Use parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents the cookies from sticking and keeps the bottoms nice and soft. 
    • Do not over bake. Set a timer and keep an eye on the cookies. When the cookies are done the edges will be just set and the middle will be jiggly. 
    • For thicker cookies, chill the dough. Chill the dough for 1-2 hours or overnight in the fridge.
    • Freeze cookie dough balls. Freeze them on a baking sheet (not touching) overnight. Transfer them to a freezer bag and store for 2-3 months. Bake from frozen for 9-10 minutes. You can also freeze baked cookies.
    Snickerdoodles without cream of tartar on a cooling rack with milk and cinnamon sugar.

    Recipe FAQs

    What do classic snickerdoodles taste like?

    They taste like cinnamon sugar with a slight tang, almost like a cinnamon sugar cookie. They are soft and buttery.  

    Why do snickerdoodles need cream of tartar?

    It adds flavor and also helps the cookies rise. To make snickerdoodles without cream of tartar, you need to follow a recipe specifically made without it. 

    What can I substitute for cream of tartar in snickerdoodles?

    I recommend using white vinegar. It has a nice tang. 

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Easy Strawberry Snack Cake
    • Chocolate Raspberry Tart
    • Simple Carrot Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Easy Maamoul Recipe (Lebanese Date Filled Cookies)

    If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or comment! I always appreciate your feedback. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE COMMENT
    5 from 43 votes

    Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar

    These Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar are soft, buttery, and full of cinnamon sugar. The best part? No cream of tartar or chilling is needed, but they are just still as good as the classic.
    Servings18 cookies
    Prep10 minutes
    Cook10 minutes
    Total20 minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • Baking Sheets
    • Silpat Mat
    • #40 Cookie Scoop
    • Hand Mixer

    Ingredients:

    Dough

    • ½ cup (8 Tablespoons or 113 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature*
    • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon white vinegar*
    • 1 ¼ cups (163 g) all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Cinnamon Sugar

    • 2 Tablespoons (25 g) granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

    Instructions:

    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer), cream the butter and sugar on medium high speed for 2 minutes.
    • Add the egg, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix on medium until combined.
    • In this order, add the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low or fold with a spatula until just combined.
    • On a small plate or in a shallow bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar.
    • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop about 1.75 Tablespoons and roll it into a ball gently. The dough will be soft.
    • Roll in cinnamon sugar.
    • Place on the prepared baking sheet lined and repeat with the remaining dough (12 cookies per sheet).
    • Bake for 8-9 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, or until set. Transfer to a cooling rack.

    Notes:

    • Butter: Pull the butter out of the fridge 1-2 hours before making the dough. If you are short on time, place the butter on a plate in its wrapper. Microwave on 50% power for 8 seconds. Flip and repeat.
    • White Vinegar: This is used in place of cream of tartar to give the cookies a slight tang. It is very subtle. You can also use lemon juice.
    • Do not over bake. Set a timer and keep an eye on the cookies. When the cookies are done the edges will be just set and the middle will be jiggly. 
    • For thicker cookies, chill the dough. Chill the dough for 1-2 hours or overnight in the fridge.
    • Freeze cookie dough balls. Freeze them on a baking sheet (not touching) overnight. Transfer them to a freezer bag and store for 2-3 months. Bake from frozen for 9-10 minutes. You can also freeze baked cookies. 

    NUTRITION:

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
    « Bisquick Sausage Balls
    Stir Fry Marinated Chicken »
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. carol

      February 17, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      YUM!!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Bri!

    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

    Join my email list!>>

    Healthy Dinner Recipes

    • Beef Kabobs in the Oven
    • Baby Back Ribs in the Oven
    • Red Wine Short Ribs
    • One Pot Chicken and Rice
    • French Onion Chicken Bake
    • How To Cook a Spiral Ham

    Top Recipes

    • Lobster Ravioli Sauce
    • Green Chili Beef Enchiladas with White Sauce
    • Baked Walking Taco Casserole Recipe with Enchilada Sauce
    • Easy Rustic Bread Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients & No-Knead!)
    • Dutch Oven Pork Chops
    • Jalapeño Lime Crema

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter!

    Contact

    • Monthly Recaps
    • Work with Me
    • Client Inquiry Form

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Bites with Bri LLC