Nothing says holiday cheer like Christmas Snickerdoodles—soft, crinkly Festive Snickerdoodle Cookies dusted with cinnamon and sparkling red and green sugar. These holiday snickerdoodles blend buttery goodness with warm spice, making them perfect for cookie swaps, Santa’s plate, or cozy gatherings. With their nostalgic flavor and festive look, these cinnamon sugar cookies are easy to bake and sure to spread joy. Let’s whip up this Christmas Snickerdoodles recipe and make your celebrations extra sweet!
Why You’ll Love Christmas Snickerdoodles
- Festive Sparkle: Red and green sugar makes these cinnamon sugar cookies shine.
- Soft & Chewy: Perfectly tender holiday snickerdoodles in every bite.
- Easy to Bake: Simple ingredients for foolproof festive cinnamon cookies.
- Holiday Classic: Nostalgic flavor ideal for gifting or cookie swaps.
- Kid-Friendly: Fun to make and eat, these cinnamon sugar cookies are a hit.
Ingredients for Christmas Snickerdoodles
Here’s what you’ll need for this festive cinnamon cookies dish (makes ~24 cookies):
For the Dough:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Coating:
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup red and green sanding sugar or sprinkles
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Small bowl for coating
- Cooling rack
Ingredient Tips
- Butter: Softened butter ensures creamy dough for Christmas Snickerdoodles; don’t melt it.
- Cream of Tartar: Adds tang and crackly tops to these holiday snickerdoodles; don’t skip.
- Flour: Measure carefully for soft cinnamon sugar cookies; too much makes them dense.
- Sanding Sugar: Red and green add festive flair to these festive cinnamon cookies.
- Cinnamon: Fresh cinnamon maximizes flavor in these holiday snickerdoodles.
Directions for Christmas Snickerdoodles
Let’s make this Christmas Snickerdoodles—a perfect festive cinnamon cookies treat!
Preheat and Prep
I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking of these holiday snickerdoodles.
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, I beat 1 cup softened butter and 1½ cups sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This creates the plush texture for these cinnamon sugar cookies.
Add Eggs
I add 2 eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, for a glossy dough that ensures chewy festive cinnamon cookies.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, I whisk 2¾ cups flour, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1 tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt. This ensures even flavor in these holiday snickerdoodles.
Mix the Dough
I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. I avoid overmixing to keep these cinnamon sugar cookies tender.
Coat the Cookies
In a small bowl, I mix ¼ cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. I roll tablespoon-sized dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar, then dip tops in red and green sanding sugar for festive Christmas Snickerdoodles.
Bake and Cool
I place dough balls 2 inches apart on the baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set and tops are crackly. I cool them on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack for chewy cinnamon sugar cookies.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
- Total Time: ~25 minutes
- Yield: ~24 cookies (4–6 servings, 4–6 cookies each)
- Calories: ~150 kcal per cookie
- Macros per Cookie: 20g carbs, 2g protein, 7g fat, 0g fiber
Variations for Christmas Snickerdoodles
Try these twists on this festive cinnamon cookies dish:
- Chai Spice: Add ½ tsp cardamom to the dough, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte.
- Chocolate Chip: Press white chocolate chips into warm cookies, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake.
- Citrus Zest: Mix 1 tsp orange zest into the dough, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Pomegranate Margarita.
- Nutty Crunch: Roll in crushed almonds, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Protein Pancake Bowls.
- Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Easy Korean Cucumber Salad.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with Layla Cooks’ Mango Coconut Smoothie for a refreshing contrast.
- Serve with Layla Cooks’ Irresistible Peach Salad for a festive spread.
- Enjoy with Layla Cooks’ Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken for a sweet-savory meal.
Storage
I store these cinnamon sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For freezing, I cool them, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. I warm in a 275°F oven for 2–3 minutes to refresh these holiday snickerdoodles.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Arrange Christmas Snickerdoodles in a holiday tin for gifting or on a cake stand for festive cinnamon cookies flair.
- Garnish: Dust with extra cinnamon-sugar for sparkling holiday snickerdoodles.
- Pairing: Serve with Layla Cooks’ Pomegranate Margarita or hot cocoa.
- Portion Size: 4–6 cookies per person for a sweet treat.
- Occasions: Perfect for cookie swaps, holiday parties, or Santa’s plate.
FAQs About Christmas Snickerdoodles
Here are answers to common questions about this dish:
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes, refrigerate dough overnight for deeper flavor in these cinnamon sugar cookies.
What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
Use 2 tsp lemon juice for tang in these festive cinnamon cookies, but expect a slight flavor change.
How do I keep them chewy?
Bake until edges are set but centers are soft for chewy holiday snickerdoodles.
Can I use other sprinkles?
Yes, gold or silver sprinkles work for versatile Christmas Snickerdoodles.
Why did my cookies spread?
Chill dough for 30 minutes if butter is too soft to prevent spreading of these cinnamon sugar cookies.
More Cookies Recipe You’ll Love
- Raspberry Lemonade Cookies
- Maple Brown Sugar Cookies
- Cookie Dough Brownies
- Fudgy Mint Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
- White Chocolate and Pistachio Blondies
Conclusion
Christmas Snickerdoodles are a joyful, easy-to-make treat that brings holiday magic to every bite. These festive cinnamon cookies are perfect for sharing or savoring. Bake this cinnamon sugar cookies recipe, add some sparkle, and make your celebrations merry!

Christmas Snickerdoodles
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup 226g unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups 300g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2¾ cups 345g all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Coating:
- ¼ cup 50g granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup red and green sanding sugar or sprinkles
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
- I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking of these holiday snickerdoodles.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, I beat 1 cup softened butter and 1½ cups sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This creates the plush texture for these cinnamon sugar cookies.
Add Eggs
- I add 2 eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, for a glossy dough that ensures chewy festive cinnamon cookies.
Combine Dry Ingredients
- In another bowl, I whisk 2¾ cups flour, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1 tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt. This ensures even flavor in these holiday snickerdoodles.
Mix the Dough
- I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. I avoid overmixing to keep these cinnamon sugar cookies tender.
Coat the Cookies
- In a small bowl, I mix ¼ cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. I roll tablespoon-sized dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar, then dip tops in red and green sanding sugar for festive Christmas Snickerdoodles.
Bake and Cool
- I place dough balls 2 inches apart on the baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set and tops are crackly. I cool them on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack for chewy cinnamon sugar cookies.
Notes
- For an extra festive look, press a white chocolate chip into the center of each cookie after baking.
- Dough can be made ahead and chilled overnight for deeper flavor.
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