Fluffy Soft Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

Baking soft cinnamon apple snickerdoodle cookies brings pure joy to any kitchen.

The aroma of warm spices and sweet apples will instantly uplift your mood.

These classic cookies blend the comforting flavors of tender cinnamon and crisp apples into a delightful treat.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of soft, chewy texture with a subtle fruity twist.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this recipe a breeze for bakers of all skill levels.

Crisp apple chunks nestled in a cinnamon-sugar coating create an irresistible combination that everyone will love.

Prepare to indulge in a seasonal cookie that celebrates the best of autumn’s flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 164 kcal

Servings: 24

FAQs

• Can I use different types of apples in this recipe?

Yes, any firm apple variety like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji works well. Just make sure to dice them into small, uniform pieces so they distribute evenly in the cookie dough.

• Is cream of tartar necessary for these snickerdoodle cookies?

Cream of tartar helps give snickerdoodles their signature tangy flavor and soft texture. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with a little lemon juice or white vinegar, but the taste might be slightly different.

• How do I prevent the apples from making the cookies soggy?

Pat the diced apples dry with a paper towel before adding them to the dough. This helps remove excess moisture and prevents the cookies from becoming too wet or dense.

• Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, shape the balls, and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. This can even enhance the flavor and help the cookies hold their shape better.

Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodle Cookie Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the cookie, choose unbleached for better texture and flavor.
• Cream of Tartar: Creates soft, tender cookies with slight tanginess and helps prevent sugar crystallization.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening power.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements apple flavor, select high-quality Ceylon or Saigon cinnamon.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender texture and carries flavor, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps cookies spread, select fine-grain for consistent results.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes, opt for dark brown sugar for more intense flavor.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, use fresh room temperature eggs for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens overall flavor profile, choose pure vanilla for best taste.

• Fresh Apple: Adds moisture and fruity burst, select firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Additional Granulated Sugar: Creates crispy sweet exterior for coating cookies.
• Additional Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm spice coating, enhances visual appeal and flavor.

Tools to Mix and Bake Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodles

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection, and mixing wet ingredients smoothly.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients like flour, cream of tartar, and spices.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Ideal for creating the cinnamon sugar coating.
• Baking Sheets: Needed to bake cookies evenly and create those delicious golden edges.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Spatula: Great for gently folding diced apples into the cookie dough.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients thoroughly and eliminate lumps.
• Wire Rack: Essential for cooling cookies and keeping them crisp.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements for perfect cookies.

How to Make Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodle Cookies

• Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 375F and line baking sheets with non-stick paper.

• Mix Dry Goodies

Whisk flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl until perfectly blended.

• Blend Butter and Sweet Stuff

Whip softened butter with sugars using a mixer until super fluffy and light.

• Add Liquid

Drop in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.

• Combine Wet and Dry Worlds

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, then carefully mix in diced apple chunks.

• Create Sparkly Coating

Swirl granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a small dish.

• Shape Delightful Treats

Roll dough into small balls, then roll each one in cinnamon sugar until completely covered. Space them nicely on baking sheets.

• Bake to Perfection

Pop cookies in the oven for 10-12 minutes until edges look set and tops have cute little cracks.

• Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack for final chill.

Tips That Bring Out That Apple-Cinnamon Combo

• Elevate Your Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodles
• Dice apples small and pat them dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making cookies soggy, ensuring perfectly crisp edges and soft centers.
• Use room-temperature butter that's soft but not melted for the most luxurious, tender cookie texture that creams smoothly with sugar.
• Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 1 month, allowing flavors to develop and giving you instant cookie satisfaction.
• Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly cookies, or use plant-based butter and egg replacer for vegan-friendly version that doesn't compromise deliciousness.
• Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delectable soft texture and prevent sticking.

Serve These Snickerdoodles for Fall Events

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these warm, spiced cookies with a steaming mug of chai latte or classic cappuccino for a delightful afternoon treat that hugs your taste buds.
• Dessert Sidekick: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent dessert that elevates the cookie's cinnamon-apple goodness.
• Breakfast Upgrade: Crumble these cookies over Greek yogurt or oatmeal to transform your morning routine with a sweet, crunchy twist that adds excitement to your first meal.
• Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in cute mason jars or festive cellophane bags with a ribbon, creating a homemade gift that spreads warmth and love to friends and family.

Store the Cookies Soft and Spiced

• Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize their structure, preventing crumbling and maintaining ideal texture.
• Store cookies in airtight containers layered between parchment paper, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days at cool room temperature or 7 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies or entire batches in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen cookies stay delectable for 2-3 months, perfect for future snacking or unexpected guests.
• When retrieving frozen cookies, thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to restore their soft, tender consistency and bring back that freshly baked warmth.

Soft Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Homemade Cinnamon Apple Snickerdoodle Cookies blend classic comfort with autumnal warmth. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and fragrant spices make these treats irresistible for seasonal gatherings and sweet moments shared with friends.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ¾ cups (350g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 ½ tsps cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar for coating
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon for coating

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Configure oven to 375F (190C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for seamless cookie baking.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution.
3. Butter and Sugar Fusion: Cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Add eggs one at a time, mixing in vanilla extract to create a smooth, homogeneous batter with consistent texture.
5. Dough Formation: Gradually incorporate dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Delicately fold diced apples throughout the dough, ensuring even apple distribution.
6. Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl, creating a fragrant and sweet exterior for the cookies.
7. Cookie Shaping and Coating: Scoop tablespoon-sized dough portions, rolling each completely in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Position cookies on prepared baking sheets with sufficient spacing to allow spreading.
8. Baking and Texture Development: Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring for set edges and characteristic surface cracking. Remove when cookies appear golden and slightly soft to maintain a chewy consistency.
9. Cooling and Finishing: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up and reach optimal texture.

Notes

Manage Moisture Content: Dab apple pieces thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess liquid, preventing soggy cookie dough and ensuring crisp, well-structured cookies.

Optimize Butter Temperature: Use room temperature butter at precisely 65-70°F for optimal creaming, which creates a smoother dough and helps cookies maintain consistent shape during baking.

Control Apple Size: Dice apples into small, uniform 1/4-inch pieces to distribute evenly throughout dough, ensuring balanced flavor and preventing large fruit chunks from disrupting cookie texture.

Adjust for Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use coconut sugar instead of white sugar, and replace butter with plant-based alternative for allergy-friendly or vegan versions of the cookie.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 85mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 30mg