Snickerdoodles Lab215 recipes

Snickerdoodles Lab · Decision tree

Find your snickerdoodle

Three questions sort all 215 recipes into 8 groups. Each question is about one of the ingredients recipes disagree on most, and splits the recipes in front of it at their own median, so each answer keeps about half of them. Every group ends with its median recipe in grams and the real recipes nearest it.

The questions

  1. Question 1

    More cream of tartar than most, or less?

    Cream of tartar is the acid that reacts with baking soda and gives the snickerdoodle its slight tang and pillowy crackle.

    All 215 recipes: median 1.2% of the flour weight, 4 g per 340 g of flour; middle half 0.5% to 1.7%; 20% use none.

  2. Question 2

    More egg than most, or less?

    Egg keeps the middle soft and chewy.

    All 215 recipes: median 27% of the flour weight, 90 g per 340 g of flour; middle half 18% to 29%; 7% use none.

    Asked within each answer to question 1, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.

  3. Question 3

    More sugar than most, or less?

    Mostly granulated sugar in the dough, before the cinnamon-sugar coating that is not counted here.

    All 215 recipes: median 90% of the flour weight, 305 g per 340 g of flour; middle half 80% to 103%.

    Asked within each answer to question 2, split at the median of the recipes that gave it.

The key

Read left to right: pick an answer to question 1, then one of the answers beside it for question 2, and so on to a group. Each cell gives the answer, its bound in grams per 100 g of flour, and how many recipes give it.

Decision key: 3 questions, one per column, leading to 8 groups of recipes
1. Cream of tartar2. Egg3. SugarGroup
Moreover 1.2%106Moreover 28%50Moreover 93%25A25
Less93% or less25B25
Less28% or less56Moreover 84%27C27
Less84% or less29D29
Less1.2% or less109More25% or more57Moreover 94%28E28
Less94% or less29F29
Lessunder 25%52Moreover 91%24G24
Less91% or less28H28

The 8 groups

Each median recipe is the median of every ingredient over the group's recipes, scaled to 340 g of flour, beside the typical batch of all 215. Bold rows are the ingredients the questions asked about.

Group A · 25 recipes · 11% of all

More cream of tartar, more egg and more sugar

Cream of tartar over 1.2%, egg over 28% and sugar over 93% of the flour weight.

Median recipe of group A at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup AAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat225 gabout 1 cup215 g
Sugar365 gabout 1 3/4 cups305 g
Egg105 gabout 2 large eggs90 g
Cream of tartar6 g4 g
Leavening6 g6 g
Salt3 g2.5 g

Bake375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, the medians of the 23 recipes here that state a temperature and the 24 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group A

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Snickerdoodle Lucky Charms Cookies · iamafoodblog.comcream of tartar 1.9% · egg 29% · sugar 110%
  2. Soft & Fudgy Snickerdoodles · thebakingchocolatess.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 29% · sugar 99%
  3. Snickerdoodle Cookies · thefirstyearblog.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 29% · sugar 97%
  4. Snickerdoodles · thepioneerwoman.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 29% · sugar 111%
  5. Classic Snickerdoodles · melskitchencafe.comcream of tartar 2% · egg 32% · sugar 96%
Back to the key

Group B · 25 recipes · 11% of all

More cream of tartar, more egg and less sugar

Cream of tartar over 1.2%, egg over 28% and sugar 93% or less of the flour weight.

Median recipe of group B at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup BAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat225 gabout 1 cup215 g
Sugar295 gabout 1 1/2 cups305 g
Egg100 gabout 2 large eggs90 g
Cream of tartar6 g4 g
Leavening6 g6 g
Salt3 g2.5 g

Bake350°F (175°C) for about 9 minutes, the medians of the 24 recipes here that state a temperature and the 24 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group B

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Brown Butter Snickerdoodles · mybakingaddiction.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 29% · sugar 87%
  2. Chewy Snickerdoodles · 12tomatoes.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 29% · sugar 87%
  3. Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies · mybakingaddiction.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 29% · sugar 87%
  4. Small Batch White Rabbit Snickerdoodles · iamafoodblog.comcream of tartar 1.9% · egg 29% · sugar 88%
  5. The Perfect Snickerdoodle Cookies · momontimeout.comcream of tartar 1.4% · egg 29% · sugar 87%
Back to the key

Group C · 27 recipes · 12% of all

More cream of tartar, less egg and more sugar

Cream of tartar over 1.2%, egg 28% or less and sugar over 84% of the flour weight. 3 of the 27 use no egg.

Median recipe of group C at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup CAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat205 gabout 1 cup215 g
Sugar320 gabout 1 2/3 cups305 g
Egg75 gabout 1 1/2 large eggs90 g
Cream of tartar6 g4 g
Leavening6 g6 g
Salt2.5 g2.5 g

Bake375°F (190°C) for about 11 minutes, the medians of the 24 recipes here that state a temperature and the 27 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group C

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Snickerdoodles · sugarhero.comcream of tartar 1.6% · egg 26% · sugar 95%
  2. Snickerdoodles · onceuponachef.comcream of tartar 1.7% · egg 27% · sugar 87%
  3. The Softest & Chewiest Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe · biggerbolderbaking.comcream of tartar 1.6% · egg 26% · sugar 87%
  4. Superkind Snickerdoodles · countryliving.comcream of tartar 1.5% · egg 25% · sugar 98%
  5. Caramel Snickerdoodles · 12tomatoes.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 15% · sugar 94%
Back to the key

Group D · 29 recipes · 13% of all

More cream of tartar, less egg and less sugar

Cream of tartar over 1.2%, egg 28% or less and sugar 84% or less of the flour weight. 3 of the 29 use no egg.

Median recipe of group D at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup DAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat205 gabout 1 cup215 g
Sugar270 gabout 1 1/3 cups305 g
Egg60 gabout 1 large egg90 g
Cream of tartar6 g4 g
Leavening5 g6 g
Salt3 g2.5 g

Bake365°F (185°C) for about 11 minutes, the medians of the 26 recipes here that state a temperature and the 29 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group D

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Recipe · livewellbakeoften.comcream of tartar 1.7% · egg 18% · sugar 80%
  2. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles · twopeasandtheirpod.comcream of tartar 1.7% · egg 13% · sugar 84%
  3. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles · tastesbetterfromscratch.comcream of tartar 1.7% · egg 13% · sugar 84%
  4. Best Snickerdoodle Recipe · loveandlemons.comcream of tartar 1.8% · egg 20% · sugar 84%
  5. Soft & Thick Snickerdoodles · sallysbakingaddiction.comcream of tartar 1.7% · egg 13% · sugar 71%
Back to the key

Group E · 28 recipes · 13% of all

Less cream of tartar, more egg and more sugar

Cream of tartar 1.2% or less, egg 25% or more and sugar over 94% of the flour weight. 12 of the 28 use no cream of tartar.

Median recipe of group E at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup EAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat230 gabout 1 cup215 g
Sugar365 gabout 1 3/4 cups305 g
Egg105 gabout 2 large eggs90 g
Cream of tartar1.5 g4 g
Leavening6 g6 g
Salt3 g2.5 g

Bake375°F (190°C) for about 11 minutes, the medians of the 23 recipes here that state a temperature and the 27 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group E

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Snickerdoodles · nigella.comcream of tartar 0.5% · egg 29% · sugar 100%
  2. Cookies Chai "Snickerdoodles" aux épices chai et chocolat blanc · chefsimon.comcream of tartar 0.6% · egg 37% · sugar 107%
  3. Snickerdoodles · laurasbakery.nlcream of tartar 0% · egg 25% · sugar 106%
  4. Snickerdoodles recept · rutgerbakt.nlcream of tartar 0% · egg 25% · sugar 106%
  5. Snickerdoodles · fifteenspatulas.comcream of tartar 0% · egg 27% · sugar 112%
Back to the key

Group F · 29 recipes · 13% of all

Less cream of tartar, more egg and less sugar

Cream of tartar 1.2% or less, egg 25% or more and sugar 94% or less of the flour weight. 12 of the 29 use no cream of tartar.

Median recipe of group F at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup FAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat205 gabout 1 cup215 g
Sugar270 gabout 1 1/3 cups305 g
Egg95 gabout 2 large eggs90 g
Cream of tartar2.5 g4 g
Leavening6 g6 g
Salt1.5 g2.5 g

Bake350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, the medians of the 26 recipes here that state a temperature and the 29 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group F

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Snickerdoodles · iambaker.netcream of tartar 0.9% · egg 28% · sugar 85%
  2. Browned Butter Snickerdoodles · iambaker.netcream of tartar 0.9% · egg 28% · sugar 85%
  3. Butterscotch Peanut Butter Snickerdoodles · iambaker.netcream of tartar 0.9% · egg 28% · sugar 85%
  4. Les snickerdoodles biscuits à la cannelle · mesinspirationsculinaires.comcream of tartar 0.9% · egg 28% · sugar 91%
  5. Best Snickerdoodle Recipe · iamafoodblog.comcream of tartar 1.2% · egg 25% · sugar 74%
Back to the key

Group G · 24 recipes · 11% of all

Less cream of tartar, less egg and more sugar

Cream of tartar 1.2% or less, egg under 25% and sugar over 91% of the flour weight. 10 of the 24 use no cream of tartar. 9 of the 24 use no egg.

Median recipe of group G at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup GAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat185 gabout 3/4 cup215 g
Sugar360 gabout 1 3/4 cups305 g
Egg31 gabout 1/2 large egg90 g
Cream of tartar1.5 g4 g
Leavening5 g6 g
Salt3 g2.5 g

Bake350°F (175°C) for about 12 minutes, the medians of the 22 recipes here that state a temperature and the 24 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group G

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles · tasteofhome.comcream of tartar 0.8% · egg 4.4% · sugar 102%
  2. Maple Pecan Snickerdoodles · sallysbakingaddiction.comcream of tartar 1% · egg 16% · sugar 112%
  3. Snickerdoodle · cuisineaz.comcream of tartar 0% · egg 0% · sugar 101%
  4. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Recipe · preppykitchen.comcream of tartar 1.1% · egg 8.6% · sugar 100%
  5. Soft Honey Snickerdoodles · iambaker.netcream of tartar 0% · egg 23% · sugar 107%
Back to the key

Group H · 28 recipes · 13% of all

Less cream of tartar, less egg and less sugar

Cream of tartar 1.2% or less, egg under 25% and sugar 91% or less of the flour weight. 11 of the 28 use no cream of tartar. 2 of the 28 use no egg.

Median recipe of group H at 340 g of flour, beside the typical recipe of all 215
At 340 g flourGroup HAll
Flour340 g340 g
Fat185 gabout 3/4 cup215 g
Sugar260 gabout 1 1/3 cups305 g
Egg65 gabout 1 1/2 large eggs90 g
Cream of tartar1.5 g4 g
Leavening4 g6 g
Salt2.5 g2.5 g

Bake350°F (175°C) for about 11 minutes, the medians of the 25 recipes here that state a temperature and the 27 that state a time.

Nearest the middle of group H

Closest to the group's median on every ingredient at once.

  1. Easy Pumpkin Snickerdoodles · baketotheroots.decream of tartar 0% · egg 19% · sugar 65%
  2. Einfache Kürbis Snickerdoodles · baketotheroots.decream of tartar 0% · egg 22% · sugar 87%
  3. Snickerdoodle Cookies · beyondfrosting.comcream of tartar 0.4% · egg 24% · sugar 91%
  4. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles · bakedbyanintrovert.comcream of tartar 0.9% · egg 9.6% · sugar 83%
  5. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles · houseofnasheats.comcream of tartar 1.1% · egg 12% · sugar 59%
Back to the key

How the questions are chosen

Each ingredient is ranked by how much recipes disagree on it: the width of the middle half of recipes (25th to 75th percentile) divided by the median, less 4% for each place it sits down this lab's list of ingredients, so the ones that define the dish win near ties. For snickerdoodles the order is cream of tartar (1.04), egg (0.41), sugar (0.25), leavening (0.26) and fat (0.14), and the first 3 are asked. Salt is never asked about: recipes differ on it mostly by brand and taste.

Every split is at the median of the recipes in front of it, rounded to the percentage shown. Recipes exactly at the median go to whichever side leaves the two halves more even. No answer may keep fewer than 5 recipes; a group that could not be split further says so.

The recipes listed under each group are the 5 nearest its median on every ingredient at once, each scaled by how much recipes vary on it. Every recipe page links to the original for the method.