13 Snickerdoodle Cookie Upgrades for Serious Cinnamon-Sugar Lovers

Cranberry Snickerdoodle Cookies on a white plate
Photo: Kim's Cooking Now

It's hard to beat a snickerdoodle cookie, with its soft and buttery texture and a perfect coating of sugar and cinnamon. While you can stick with the classics, these 13 snickerdoodle cookie ideas run the flavor gamut. Featuring bold choices like pumpkin spice, chocolate, or even chai, they're each a unique twist on the beloved snickerdoodle cookie.

01 of 14

Grandma Ruth's Snickerdoodle Cookies

snickerdoodles on baking rack
tjump2014

Start with the classic. These grandma-approved cookies are just the right balance of sweet and spice, perfect for pairing with a glass of ice cold milk.

02 of 14

Ultimate Maple Snickerdoodles

Ultimate Maple Snickerdoodles next to a bottle of maple syrup
Cassie

The duo of maple syrup and maple sugar make these snickerdoodles an autumnal treat. Reviewer andeesings says, "Love these! The maple flavor is nice but not overpowering."

03 of 14

Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles

Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles on a white plate
ChristineM

Get all the goodness of whole-wheat flour in these tender snickerdoodle cookies. If you want an extra soft cookie, some reviewers suggest using whole-wheat pastry flour instead of whole-wheat all-purpose flour.

04 of 14

Chocolate Snickerdoodles

Chocolate Snickerdoodles on a blue plate
Lela

"This chocolate snickerdoodle recipe is similar to a basic snickerdoodle recipe but some of the flour is replaced with cocoa powder," explains recipe creator rhancox. With the combination of cocoa and cinnamon, the flavors are akin to Mexican hot chocolate.

05 of 14

Snickerdoodles With a Hint of Ginger

Snickerdoodles With a Hint of Ginger on a black plate
Buckwheat Queen

Just a dash of powdered ginger takes these snickerdoodle cookies from basic to wow-worthy. That subtle hint of heat is excellent for pairing with apple cider on a cool fall day.

06 of 14

Cranberry Snickerdoodle Cookies

Cranberry Snickerdoodle Cookies on a white plate
Kim's Cooking Now

Tangy dried cranberries are just what's needed to create these stand out snickerdoodles. The secret ingredient? A package of cream cheese, which is whipped into the dough to create irresistibly soft cookies.

07 of 14

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles on a white plate
Sugarplum

"These decadent cookies will melt in your mouth," shares recipe creator Jenn Harmon Jones. Puréed pumpkin and nutmeg infuse the dough, while a dash of allspice livens up the cinnamon-sugar topping.

08 of 14

Brown Butter Snickerdoodles with White Chocolate

Brown Butter Snickerdoodles with White Chocolate
Darcy Lenz

"Toasty brown butter and coarsely chopped white chocolate give traditional snickerdoodle cookies a decadent upgrade in this wow-worthy recipe," says recipe creator Darcy Lenz. "Preparing and cooling brown butter requires a little more time — but the rich, nutty flavor is so worth it."

09 of 14

Simple Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies

Simple Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies on a white and red blanket
Fioa

No gluten? No problem! These snickerdoodles have all the sugar and spice you want, while using a gluten-free flour to make it safe for those with wheat sensitivities.

10 of 14

Eggnog Snickerdoodles

Eggnog Snickerdoodles in a clear bowl
Phoebe

Combine all the goodness of snickerdoodles and your favorite holiday drink with these eggnog-inspired cookies. All you need are a dash each of rum and brandy extracts and some colorful sugar for rolling.

11 of 14

Chai Snickerdoodle Cookies

Chai Snickerdoodle Cookies on a white plate
AllrecipesPhoto

Recipe creator Melodie describes these cookies as "Fast, easy, tasty, and sweet with a kick of spice." Using pre-made chai concentrate means these are a cinch to make and each bite is infused with the heady flavors of chai spices.

12 of 14

Toffee Studded Snickerdoodles

Toffee Studded Snickerdoodles on a striped plate
BRISKIBRISKI

These delightfully soft snickerdoodles are studded with rich toffee bits. Reviewer MOMSHAVNFUN raves, "I have made this over and over again — it's my family's ALL-TIME FAVORITE! If I'm making cookies for neighbors, friends, or get-togethers, this is the recipe I make."

13 of 14

Chef John's Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

FIve of Chef John's Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles on a white dish
Chef John

"I'm usually not a big fan of snickerdoodles, but I had a feeling the pumpkin spice would work perfectly with the buttery, cinnamon sugar cookie, and it did," says Chef John. Not only is each cookie coated in spiced sugar, they're also drizzled with glaze for a beautiful presentation.

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