Soft Pillowy Sugar Cookies (Printable)

Tender sugar cookies coated in cinnamon sugar with a subtle tangy twist for a soft texture and rich flavor.

# What Goes In:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Sugar Coating

09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract thoroughly.
05 - Gradually fold dry mixture into wet ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar with ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, then roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
08 - Place coated dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow spreading.
09 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
10 - Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're impossibly soft inside with barely-set edges that give you that satisfying chew.
  • The cream of tartar creates a subtle tang that keeps them from tasting one-dimensional or cloying.
  • Ready to bake in less than 30 minutes, so you can go from craving to fresh cookie faster than you'd expect.
02 -
  • Underbaking by even 30 seconds makes the difference between a cake-like cookie and one with that signature chewy center—trust the look over exact timing.
  • The cream of tartar can't be swapped out; it's what makes these cookies snickerdoodles, not just cinnamon sugar cookies.
03 -
  • Bring your butter to proper room temperature—not just barely soft, but actually soft enough to dent with your finger—for the fluffiest cookies.
  • Weigh your flour if you can; baking by weight removes the guesswork and guarantees consistency.
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