These Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies are an easy, chewy traditional cookie recipe, elevated to new heights by being sandwiched together with a luxurious caramel cream cheese frosting for an incredible upgrade on a classic!

If you’re a devoted fan of the warm, comforting flavor of Snickerdoodles, then prepare to fall in love with these irresistible sandwich cookies. And for another delightful twist on a classic, you absolutely must try the BEST Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Bread!

Contents

The Ultimate Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies: A Holiday Favorite

Snickerdoodle cookies hold a special place in our hearts and are a consistent family favorite around here. Their classic cinnamon-sugar coating and wonderfully soft, chewy texture make them a timeless treat. However, I wanted to give this beloved cookie a delightful twist, transforming it into something truly extraordinary. That’s where the magic of sandwiching them together with a decadent filling comes in, and specifically, the rich caramel cream cheese frosting.

My daughter, a true caramel aficionado, inspired this particular combination. And honestly, what could be a more perfect pairing than the warm spice of cinnamon and the rich sweetness of caramel? The result is a symphony of flavors and textures: the snickerdoodle cookie itself remains perfectly soft and delightfully chewy, while the caramel cream cheese frosting offers a luscious, sweet, and subtly tangy contrast. Together, they create a harmonious balance that is simply divine.

After just one bite, my daughter unequivocally declared these “THE best sandwich cookie!” – and I wholeheartedly agree. These Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies are not only a fantastic treat but also an ideal addition to your holiday spread. Imagine them gracing your Christmas cookie tray, bringing cheer to festive gatherings, or even left out for Santa on Christmas Eve. They embody the spirit of the season with every bite.

But here’s a little secret: if you prefer not to fill these cookies, that’s perfectly fine! The base snickerdoodle cookie recipe is absolutely fabulous on its own, delivering all the classic flavor and texture you crave. You can enjoy them plain, or save the frosting for another baking adventure.

What Makes a Snickerdoodle, a Snickerdoodle?

At its heart, a Snickerdoodle cookie is a testament to simple ingredients yielding extraordinary results. It’s a basic cookie dough recipe distinguished by its characteristic soft and chewy texture, largely thanks to the inclusion of cream of tartar. This often-overlooked ingredient is crucial; it not only contributes to the cookie’s signature tangy flavor but also prevents the sugar from crystallizing, resulting in that wonderfully tender crumb. The cookie dough balls are then generously rolled in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar mixture before being baked until just golden brown and perfectly puffed. This iconic coating creates a delightful crunchy exterior that gives way to a soft interior, making Snickerdoodles utterly unique and beloved.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Snickerdoodle Cookie

Crafting the perfect Snickerdoodle begins with a selection of pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that classic taste and texture.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Ingredients:

Butter: Softened to room temperature for optimal creaming with sugar, ensuring a smooth, airy base.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s tender texture.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor, enhancing the cookie’s chewiness.
Eggs: Act as a binder, adding structure and richness to the dough.
Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of the cookie.
Baking Soda: Works with the cream of tartar to create the classic rise and texture.
Cream of Tartar: The secret ingredient for Snickerdoodles! It provides the signature tangy taste and contributes to the cookie’s characteristic chewiness and soft interior.
Ground Cinnamon: For the iconic cinnamon-sugar coating.

How to Bake Irresistible Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly soft and chewy Snickerdoodle cookies, ready to be enjoyed on their own or transformed into delightful sandwich cookies.

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or a Silpat mat for easy release.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Then, add both granulated and brown sugars and beat for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture is truly light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, making your cookies tender.
Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar. Ensure these ingredients are thoroughly mixed to guarantee even distribution in your dough.
Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.

Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a small, shallow bowl, combine additional ground cinnamon and granulated sugar. This will be the coating for your cookie dough balls.

Roll the Dough: Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), scoop portions of dough into your hand. Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: Place each dough ball into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, rolling it around until the entire surface is generously coated. This iconic step gives Snickerdoodles their distinctive flavor and appearance.

Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto your prepared Silpat or parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Bake to Perfection: Bake for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; Snickerdoodles are best when they are just set around the edges but still soft in the center. For my oven, exactly 9 minutes yielded perfect results every time. They might look slightly underdone, but they will continue to set as they cool, ensuring that desirable chewy texture.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and helps them firm up.

Ingredients for Decadent Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

This luscious frosting is the crowning glory of these sandwich cookies, perfectly complementing the spicy-sweet Snickerdoodles. You’ll need:

Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free frosting base.
Butter: Also softened, providing richness and structure to the frosting.
Caramel Sauce: The star flavor! You can use your favorite store-bought caramel or homemade. Ensure it’s not too thin.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
Powdered Sugar: For sweetness and thickening, creating that perfect frosting consistency.
Milk: A small amount to adjust the consistency of the frosting, making it smooth and spreadable.

Steps to Make Silky Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Creating this rich and creamy frosting is simpler than you think:

Cream Cheese and Butter: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Beat them together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is wonderfully soft, fluffy, and completely smooth. No lumps allowed!
Add Flavor: Pour in the caramel sauce and vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated, ensuring the caramel is evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese mixture.
Gradually Add Sugar and Milk: With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until mostly combined. Then, gradually add the milk, a teaspoon at a time, until your desired consistency is reached. You might not need all the milk.
Whip to Perfection: Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and whip the frosting for another 2-3 minutes until it is well combined, light, and slightly stiff. It should be firm enough to hold its shape when piped or spread.

Assembling Your Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies

Once your Snickerdoodle cookies are completely cooled and your caramel cream cheese frosting is ready, it’s time for the fun part: assembly! Match cookies of similar size to create uniform sandwiches. Take one cooled cookie and spread a generous dollop (about 1-2 tablespoons) of the caramel cream cheese frosting on its flat side. Gently top with another cookie, pressing down lightly until the frosting reaches the edges. Repeat with the remaining cookies and frosting. Arrange them beautifully on a platter and watch them disappear!

Tips for Snickerdoodle Cookie Success

Cream of Tartar Substitute: If you find yourself without cream of tartar, don’t fret! You can substitute both the cream of tartar AND baking soda with an equal amount of baking powder (e.g., if the recipe calls for 1 tsp cream of tartar and 1 tsp baking soda, use 2 tsp baking powder). Note that the flavor might be slightly different without the signature tang of cream of tartar.
Enjoy Them Plain: As mentioned, these cookies are absolutely phenomenal on their own. If you’re short on time or simply prefer an unfrosted classic, feel free to skip the filling step. They’re a perfect standalone treat.
Don’t Overbake: Snickerdoodles should be soft and chewy. Overbaking will result in dry, hard cookies. Pull them out of the oven when the edges are just set and the centers still look slightly soft.
Room Temperature Ingredients: For both the cookies and the frosting, ensuring your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature is crucial for a smooth, well-incorporated batter and frosting.

Can You Freeze Snickerdoodle Cookies and Dough? Absolutely!

Snickerdoodle cookies, whether baked or as dough, freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying freshly baked treats anytime. This is a fantastic way to prepare ahead for holidays or unexpected guests!

Freezing Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough:

You have several convenient options for freezing cookie dough:

Dough Log: Roll the prepared cookie dough into a log shape, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and then place it into a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Remember to label the bag with the date and the cookie type for easy identification later.
Individual Dough Balls: Scoop the dough into individual balls (coated in cinnamon sugar, if desired). Place these balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until they are solid. Once frozen, transfer the solid cookie dough balls into a freezer-safe zip-top bag. This method allows you to bake just a few cookies at a time!
Wrapped Dough: For larger batches, you can simply place the entire dough mass onto a piece of plastic wrap, wrap it tightly, then place it inside a zip-top freezer bag.
Storage Time: Frozen cookie dough will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Thawing Before Baking: Allow the frozen cookie dough to thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight until it’s pliable enough to work with, or bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Freezing Baked Snickerdoodle Cookies:

Cool Completely: Ensure your baked Snickerdoodle cookies are completely cooled before freezing. If they are still warm, condensation will form and make them soggy.
Layer and Store: If freezing unfrosted cookies, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or zip-top bag, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Frosted Cookies: For frosted sandwich cookies, it’s best to freeze them individually on a tray until the frosting is firm, then wrap each cookie in plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight container. This helps protect the frosting.
Storage Time: Baked cookies will maintain their quality in the freezer for 3-4 weeks.
Thawing Baked Cookies: Simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two.

Delicious Variations for Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies

While the caramel cream cheese frosting is undeniably spectacular, these versatile Snickerdoodle sandwich cookies can be paired with a variety of other fillings to suit any craving or occasion. Get creative with your flavor combinations!

Marshmallow Frosting: For a fluffy, sweet, and comforting filling that evokes campfire vibes.
Coffee Buttercream Frosting: Add a sophisticated touch with a rich, coffee-flavored buttercream that perfectly complements the cinnamon.
Peanut Butter Frosting: A classic combination! The salty-sweetness of peanut butter is a delightful partner to the Snickerdoodle.
Cookie Butter Frosting: For a double dose of spiced cookie goodness, this filling is truly unique and addictive.
Chocolate Ganache: A rich, dark chocolate ganache would offer a decadent contrast to the sweet cinnamon.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: For a brighter, tangier profile, a lemon-infused cream cheese frosting would be surprisingly refreshing.

Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies

Yield:
8 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
9 minutes

Additional Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
24 minutes

These Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies are an easy, chewy traditional cookie recipe sandwiched together with a caramel cream cheese frosting for an upgrade on a classic!

Ingredients

For the Snickerdoodle Cookies:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for coating)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

For the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 teaspoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat mats.
Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream softened butter for 2 minutes. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar, beating for 2-3 more minutes until fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar.
Mix Dough: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Roll & Coat Dough: Using a medium cookie scoop (approx. 1.5 tbsp), scoop dough, roll into balls, and coat thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Bake Cookies: Place coated dough balls onto prepared cookie sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are set and centers are still soft. (Mine were perfect at 9 minutes). Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Frosting Base: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or large bowl with hand mixer), beat softened cream cheese and butter for 2-3 minutes until soft and fluffy.
Add Caramel & Vanilla: Beat in the caramel sauce and vanilla extract until smooth.
Add Powdered Sugar & Milk: Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Then, gradually add milk (1-2 tsp) until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Whip Frosting: Whip until well combined, light, and slightly stiff.
Assemble Sandwich Cookies: Once cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous amount of caramel cream cheese frosting onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with another cookie and gently press together to form a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting my baking adventures!

Silpat Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat (2 pack)
OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop
Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Baking Sheet, 2-Piece Set

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 481
Total Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 76mg
Sodium: 354mg
Carbohydrates: 71g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 51g
Protein: 4g

All information and tools presented and written within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on strawberryblondiekitchen.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Thank you to Ellen of Family Around the Table and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting #ChristmasCookies Week! And a huge thank you to our sponsors Adams Extract and Millican Pecan for supporting the bloggers and events like Christmas Cookies Week.

Explore More Delicious Holiday Cookie Recipes:

Discover a treasury of festive treats from fellow bakers. Here are some more irresistible cookie recipes to inspire your holiday baking:

Brown Sugar Christmas Cookies by Intelligent Domestications
Browned Butter Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting by Daily Dish Recipes
Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti by Sweet Beginnings
Chunky White Chocolate Cranberry Shortbread by Red Cottage Chronicles
Cinnamon Pecan Snowball Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie
Cream Cheese Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Dark Chocolate Orange Crinkles by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Eggnog Crackle Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
French Toast Snickerdoodles by Love and Confections
Gluten Free Hungarian Rugelach by Frugal & Fit
Grinch Shortbread Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
Hazelnut Oatmeal Cookies by Food Above Gold
Iced Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cookies by Family Around the Table
Iced Molasses Cookies by Palatable Pastime
Kipplens AKA: Pecan Snow Balls by Hardly A Goddess
Lemon Sponge Tassies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Little Oatmeal Cookies by Creative Southern Home
Pecan Sandies by Everyday Eileen
Peppermint Madeleines by Books n’ Cooks
Raspberry Shortbread Cookies by Blogghetti
Salted Chocolate Pecan Cookies by Cookaholic Wife
Speculoos (Belgian Spice Cookies) by Karen’s Kitchen Stories

Holiday Giveaway Details:

We’re thrilled to offer readers a chance to win fantastic prizes from our generous sponsors, making your holiday baking even sweeter!

Prize 1 – Millican Pecan Tower of Treats Gift Tins

Millican Pecan, a family-owned business tracing its roots back to the late 1800s in San Saba, TX, continues its tradition of excellence in pecan farming. One fortunate winner will receive The Tower of Treats Gift Tins, valued at $80. This delightful tower includes three decorative gift tins: a 2 lb. Chocolate Pecan Sampler, a Flavored Pecan Sampler, and an 8 oz. tin of scrumptious Milk Chocolate Caramillicans (similar to Turtles).

Prize 2 – Adams Extract Prize Pack

Adams Extract’s story began in 1888, driven by John A. Adams’ desire to create superior flavorings. In 1905, in Beeville, TX, he perfected a vanilla extract that wouldn’t bake or freeze out, famously declared by his wife as “the BEST flavoring I have ever used!” Two (2) winners will receive an Adams Extract Prize Pack to enhance their own baking endeavors.

Please note: Two (2) winners will be selected. Prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize, and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #ChristmasCookies bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway, and the contest is open only to US residents. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookies posts or entry. Thank you to our sponsors Millican Pecan Company and Adams Extracts and Flavorings for providing these wonderful prizes.