Brown butter snickerdoodles offer a deeper, richer flavor than classic snickerdoodles, bringing together browned‑butter cookies aroma, cinnamon sugar coating crunch and chewy snickerdoodles texture in one. With this bakery style snickerdoodles twist, you’ll enjoy soft snickerdoodles that feel like they came straight from a fall cookie recipes lineup or holiday cookie box. How to make them? Begin by browning your butter, mixing your dough, coating in cinnamon sugar, and baking until the edges are just set, then dive into the full recipe card below to get started.
In This Article
How to Make Brown Butter Snickerdoodles At Home
If you’ve ever found yourself mesmerized by the smell of butter sizzling in a pan, you’re going to fall head over heels for brown butter snickerdoodles. Unlike classic snickerdoodles, these cookies swap plain butter for browned butter, bringing a deep, nutty richness that transforms them into something extra special.
Think of this version as the upgraded cousin of your favorite cinnamon sugar cookies. Soft in the center, slightly crisp at the edges, and wrapped in a warm cinnamon sugar coating, they check every box. What’s more, they’re a dream for your holiday cookie box or fall gatherings when cozy flavors are what everyone craves.
You don’t need fancy equipment or exotic ingredients. In fact, these are easy snickerdoodles, no chill time and no cream of tartar required. You’ll get chewy snickerdoodles with a tender bite and just the right bakery style finish, all in under an hour.
And if you’re feeling bold, a splash of bourbon (totally optional) can turn them into bourbon snickerdoodles for a grown-up treat worth repeating. The method taps into browned butter baking magic, giving these brown butter cookies their signature taste and texture.
Before we get into the full recipe details, let’s take a closer look at why brown butter matters and how this one simple technique can elevate your baking, especially for snickerdoodle lovers like you.
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PrintThe Best Brown Butter Snickerdoodles You’ll Ever Bake
These brown butter snickerdoodles are rich, chewy, and warmly spiced with cinnamon. No cream of tartar needed, just browned butter, a soft dough, and a cinnamon sugar coating that creates bakery style cookies perfect for a holiday cookie box or cozy fall afternoon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(Optional) 1 teaspoon bourbon
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Gently melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until golden brown bits form and it smells nutty (about 5–7 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool 10 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine browned butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and optional bourbon. Whisk until smooth.
Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until a soft dough forms.
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, roll into balls, and coat in cinnamon sugar.
Place dough balls 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft. Cool 5 minutes on sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Skip the bourbon for a kid-friendly version
- These are no cream of tartar snickerdoodles, baking soda alone gives them lift
- You can freeze the dough balls unbaked and bake directly from frozen
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 168
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 72mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 28mg
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Bakery Style Snickerdoodles
When you’re ready to whip up those brown butter snickerdoodles, gathering the right ingredients will make all the difference. These bakery style snickerdoodles start with simple pantry staples, plus that special twist of browned butter cookies flavor and a perfect cinnamon sugar coating. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Key Components
- Unsalted butter (for the browned butter baking technique)
- Granulated sugar + light brown sugar (for chewiness and caramel notes)
- One large egg and vanilla extract
- All‑purpose flour, baking soda, and salt
These basics give you the foundation of easy snickerdoodles and soft snickerdoodles that feel decadent yet approachable.
The Brown Butter Cookies Twist
For those rich brown butter snickerdoodles, you’ll take that butter and brown it until golden with nutty aroma, delivering a depth of flavor that elevates the classic snickerdoodle into something memorable. Browning the butter adds to the chewy snickerdoodles texture and highlights the cinnamon sugar cookies character.
Rolling in the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
No snickerdoodle is complete without the signature coating. A mix of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon gives you the crisp crust and the warm spice finish of cinnamon sugar cookies. That coating is what transforms your batch into bakery style snickerdoodles ready for a holiday cookie box or fall cookie recipes spread.
Variations & Friendly Tweaks
- No cream of tartar snickerdoodles: If you prefer skipping cream of tartar, these brown butter snickerdoodles adapt beautifully, while still delivering that soft snickerdoodles result without the tang of classic versions.
- Bourbon snickerdoodles: For a grown‑up take (perfect for gifting or hostess treats), add a splash of bourbon and you’ve got a standout twist on your brown butter cookies.
- Fall cookie recipes vibe: Want a seasonal flourish? Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or using pumpkin‑spiced cinnamon sugar coating to enhance the cozy theme.
- Holiday cookie box ready: These brown butter snickerdoodles stow well, keeping texture and flavor so you can package them for sharing.
Throughout the rest of this article you’ll find snickerdoodle tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot, freeze dough, maintain softness, and control spread. In the next section you’ll dive into the full recipe card with step‑by‑step instructions and everything you need to bake your batch of soft, chewy snickerdoodles.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Making brown butter snickerdoodles at home is simpler than it sounds, no cream of tartar, no chilling, no mixer needed. Just a few key steps and your cinnamon sugar cookies will come out bakery style: soft in the center, golden at the edge, and kissed with a warm cinnamon sugar coating.
Browning the Butter: Your First Flavor Boost
The heart of these brown butter cookies is the butter, deep, golden, and nutty. You’ll melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until foamy and brown bits appear at the bottom. It takes just 5–7 minutes, and it’s worth every second. Let the butter cool slightly before mixing it into the dough.
Snickerdoodle tip: Always let the browned butter cool for about 10 minutes before adding sugar and egg to prevent curdling.
Mixing the Dough: Soft, Chewy, Just Right
In a bowl, whisk together your browned butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and egg until smooth. Add vanilla, and for a grown-up bakery style twist, a teaspoon of bourbon (optional). Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough forms. It should be moist but not sticky.
Snickerdoodle tip: Avoid overmixing after adding flour to preserve that chewy snickerdoodles texture.
Rolling & Coating: Classic Look, Cozy Crunch
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl, then roll each dough ball in this spiced coating.
This step gives your brown butter snickerdoodles their signature cinnamon sugar coating, crisp outside, tender inside, perfect for fall cookie recipes or a holiday cookie box.
Baking Secrets: Keep Them Soft and Chewy
Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes. You want the edges set but the centers just slightly soft when they come out of the oven.
They’ll continue to bake slightly as they cool, locking in that bakery-style chewy texture we love in cinnamon sugar cookies.
Snickerdoodle tip: For soft snickerdoodles, remove cookies from the oven while they still look underbaked in the center.
Cooling, Storing, and Sharing
Let your cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once completely cool, they’re ready to eat, or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Planning ahead? You can freeze unbaked dough balls and bake straight from the freezer. This makes them a perfect addition to your easy snickerdoodles rotation or for building out a festive holiday cookie box.
Looking for a creamy companion? Try this Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe on Viva Lyze.
Troubleshooting: Common Issues & How to Fix Them
Even easy snickerdoodles like these can throw you a curveball now and then. Whether your cookies spread too far, turned out dry, or lacked that bakery style finish, these quick fixes will help you bake chewy snickerdoodles every time.
Why Did My Snickerdoodles Spread Too Much?
Too much butter or too little flour is usually the culprit. With brown butter snickerdoodles, it’s especially important to let the browned butter cool before mixing, it helps control spread. If your dough feels oily or loose, chill it for 10–15 minutes.
Snickerdoodle tip: Use a cookie scoop for consistent sizing and even spacing to prevent crowding on the baking sheet.
How to Keep Snickerdoodles Soft and Chewy?
Start by baking them just until the edges are set and the centers look puffy. Overbaking leads to dryness, especially in soft snickerdoodles recipes.
Also, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to lock in moisture, this works wonders for brown butter cookies and other cinnamon sugar cookies too.
Do You Need Cream of Tartar for Snickerdoodles?
Nope! These are no cream of tartar snickerdoodles, and they hold their own. Cream of tartar gives traditional snickerdoodles a subtle tang, but it’s not essential for that soft, chewy texture. Baking soda alone does the trick here.
Baking without cream of tartar? These easy snickerdoodles are still perfectly puffy and delicious, with the added richness of browned butter baking.
Can You Freeze Snickerdoodle Dough Balls?
Absolutely. Scoop and coat the dough balls in cinnamon sugar, then freeze them on a sheet tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the time. They’re perfect for last-minute guests, holiday cookie box prep, or late-night cookie cravings.
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Fall & Holiday Cookie Boxes
If there’s ever a time to embrace warm spices and cozy baking, it’s fall, and these brown butter snickerdoodles fit right into that seasonal rhythm. They’re more than just cookies; they’re soft snickerdoodles with a cinnamon sugar coating that taste like a hug in dessert form.
Seasonal Appeal: The Warmth of Fall in Every Bite
Browned butter baking adds a toasted, nutty depth that pairs beautifully with cinnamon. It’s what makes these brown butter cookies perfect for your lineup of fall cookie recipes.
Add a pinch of nutmeg or swap the cinnamon sugar coating for pumpkin spice if you’re feeling adventurous. No matter how you twist it, these chewy snickerdoodles bring that crisp‑air, sweater‑weather mood to life.
Gifting Made Easy: Holiday Cookie Box Ready
These cookies hold up well for days without drying out, ideal for gifting. Their bakery style finish makes them feel special, and the sugar‑crusted exterior gives that festive sparkle we all love in a holiday cookie box.
Pack them in parchment‑lined boxes or festive tins, add a handwritten tag, and you’ve got a shareable treat that says you care. Whether you make them part of a dessert spread or give them as host gifts, they always bring smiles.
Bourbon Snickerdoodles: A Grown-Up Twist
Adding bourbon to the dough turns these easy snickerdoodles into something fit for a holiday gathering. It’s subtle, but it plays beautifully with the cinnamon sugar cookies flavor and adds a rich, almost caramel note to your brown butter snickerdoodles.
Just a teaspoon or two is all you need, and they’ll still be soft, chewy, and absolutely appropriate for grown-up gifting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
What does brown butter do in snickerdoodles?
Brown butter deepens the flavor by developing nutty, toasty milk solids and a caramel‑like aroma. This enhances the rich profile of brown butter cookies and intensifies the flavor of cinnamon sugar cookies, while still preserving the soft, chewy snickerdoodles texture.
Do you need cream of tartar for snickerdoodles?
No, these are no cream of tartar snickerdoodles. While cream of tartar is traditional in classic snickerdoodles (and adds tang and lift), you can omit it and still achieve wonderfully soft and chewy snickerdoodles thanks to proper browning and baking methods.
How to keep snickerdoodles soft and chewy?
Bake until the edges are set but the center still looks slightly under‑done, then allow cookies to cool on the sheet. Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread or roll dough balls in advance. These snickerdoodle tips and tricks will ensure your bakery style snickerdoodles stay tender.
Can you freeze snickerdoodle dough balls?
Yes. For your easy snickerdoodles plan or holiday cookie box prep, portion and roll your dough balls, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer‑safe bag. Bake from frozen adding 1‑2 extra minutes; you’ll still get the soft snickerdoodles texture.
Why did my snickerdoodles spread too much?
Most often because the dough was too warm (e.g., butter still hot, dough not chilled, baking sheet too warm). Using cooled browned butter, firming dough slightly and giving enough spacing prevents over‑spreading in brown butter snickerdoodles.
Conclusion
You now have everything you need to bake show‑stopping brown butter snickerdoodles, a rich twist on the classic snickerdoodle cookie that delivers chewy snickerdoodles texture, bakery style snickerdoodles appearance, and that irresistible cinnamon sugar cookies coating. Whether it’s part of your fall cookie recipes lineup or the star of your holiday cookie box, these brown butter cookies shine with minimal fuss. Trust your dough, measure precisely, apply the baking and snickerdoodle tips and tricks shared above, and you’ll be ready to share (or keep) these soft snickerdoodles in no time. Once you’ve mastered this one, you might even try variations like bourbon snickerdoodles to keep things fresh.
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