Soft Chai Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodles earned their playful name in American home baking, prized for a soft chew from cream of tartar. These bakery-style cookies fold in chai spices—cardamom, ginger, and cloves—for a fragrant twist on the classic cinnamon-sugar coat.

Serves 6 · 20 min prep · 20 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 310 cal
• 4g protein
• 45g carbs
• 13g fat
• 1g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp, divided ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup plus 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
2. 2In a large bowl beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. 3Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat another 30 seconds until fully incorporated and the mixture looks smooth.
4. 4Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two additions, mixing on low just until no flour streaks remain; the dough will be soft but not sticky.
5. 5In a small shallow bowl stir together the remaining sugar and remaining cinnamon.
6. 6Scoop dough into 12 equal balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Roll each ball thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until completely coated.
7. 7Place 6 balls on each prepared sheet, spacing them 3 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass.
8. 8Bake one sheet at a time on the middle rack for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers still look soft and puffy.
9. 9Remove the sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes so they firm up; they will continue to set as they cool.
10. 10Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with tea or coffee.