These snickerdoodle cupcakes are EASY to make and you need just one bowl to make them. They’re fluffy, cinnamon-y, and totally addictive.
SNICKERDOODLE CUPCAKES! Yep, cupcakes that taste like one of the best cookies ever.
Maybe it’s the nip in the (70-degree) air. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m making my way through the Harry Potter movies for the 1,000th time. But I’m craving hot apple cider and fires in the fireplace and all things cinnamon-spiced.
And these little cupcakes fit the bill quite nicely. Soft, cinnamon-laced cupcakes topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and cinnamon sugar. Nothing could be better with a cup of coffee on a cold-ish afternoon.
Oh and hey, did I mention that they’re easy to make? I think I omitted that crucial detail so I’ll say it now: THEY’RE SUPER SIMPLE! Easy to make and easier to eat, just the way a dessert should be.
Why you’ll love these snickerdoodle cupcakes:
- All you need is one bowl and a hand mixer to make them!
- They’re made with pantry staples you probably have on hand right now
- They’re so easy to make anyone can make them successfully
How to Make Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Start by beating 4 tablespoons room temperature butter in a large mixing bowl until it’s very creamy. Add sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and beat to combine; the mixture will be crumbly. Beat in a couple of eggs until the mixture is smooth.
Next, beat in half the flour, followed by half of the buttermilk. Add the rest of the flour, the rest of the buttermilk, and beat until the mixture is smooth.
Divide the batter between 14 or 15 muffin cups lined with paper liners. And bake! Then cool your cupcakes completely and you’re ready to frost them.
Baker’s tip: I don’t always recommend substituting for buttermilk when you bake but it works fine in these snickerdoodle cupcakes. If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons whole milk mixed with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar; allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes before you use it.
How to Make Vanilla Buttercream
Beat room temperature butter in a large mixing bowl until it’s very smooth. Having your butter at room temp is important because if it’s cold the frosting won’t get as fluffy.
Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt, and beat on low to combine, then beat on medium until your frosting is smooth. Frost your cupcakes and top with cinnamon and granulated sugar. Then serve devour.
I used a large round tip to frost my cupcakes but you can just as easily use a star tip or just slather the frosting on top of the cake. They’ll be delicious however you opt to decorate!
There you go. When I say these cupcakes are easy, I mean it. If you can use an electric mixer (and you TOTALLY can) then you can make snickerdoodle cupcakes! And you know you want a batch of these right now.
And probably a second batch next week, and a third the week after. . .they’re that good.
More cupcake recipes (in case you’re hungry)
Lemon Curd Cupcakes
Nutella Cupcakes
Maple Cupcakes
Raspberry Cupcakes
Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
Did you make these snickerdoodle cupcakes? Awesome! Post a pic on Insta and tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your delicious creations!
Snickerdoodle cupcakes are an easy and delicious cupcake that tastes just like the classic cookie!
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons buttermilk*
- 3/4 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
- 3 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 14 to 15 muffin cups with paper liners and set pans aside.
- Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer set to medium until very smooth. Beat in the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and beat until well combined (mixture will be crumbly). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- With mixer on low, beat in half of the flour followed by half of the buttermilk and beat to combine. Add the remaining flour mixture, then the remaining buttermilk and beat until just incorporated.
- Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups, filling each two-thirds full. Bake 16 to 20 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
- Remove cupcakes from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting them.
- Place the butter in a medium mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until very smooth. Add 3 cups of the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of the milk, and the vanilla and salt.
- Beat on low to combine, then turn mixer to medium and beat until frosting is smooth. Add add additional powdered sugar if frosting is too thin; if it’s too thick add additional milk.
- Pipe or spread the frosting on the cupcakes. Sprinkle the granulated sugar and cinnamon over the frosted cupcakes and serve. Uneaten cupcakes can be stored (covered with plastic wrap) in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer (tightly wrapped) for up to 3 months.
- *You can substitute whole milk mixed with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar; allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes before you use it.
- Be sure your butter (for both the cupcakes AND the frosting) is at room temperature!
Cupcakes adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Baking
Carlee says
Yum yum! I think I’m just going to bake Christmas cupcakes instead of cookies this year!
grace says
the word “snickerdoodle” is a red flag for me in the best way–if i see it, i want whatever it is! these look perfect.
Kelsie says
Haha! I know what you mean!
Milena says
I didn’t know what snickerdoodles were until only a few years ago. Have to say that my first bite made me a fan. A cupcake version? I am intrigued. Pinned.
Kelsie says
Thank you, Milena!
Catherine says
These cupcakes look so very moist and delicious, and that frosting! I also love that it’s a one bowl recipe– the faster I can make them, the faster I can start eating them! 😀
Kelsie says
Thank you, Catherine!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
These cupcakes look so delicious Kelsie. I love cinnamon flavoured desserts so these sound and looks perfect. And that soft vanilla buttercream topped with cinnamon sugar, just so yum 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you, Ashika!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
That buttercream on top looks perfect, especially with the dusting of cinnamon! We’re also in the process of watching all the Harry Potter movies again. Must be the time of year?! Would love one of these with a cup of tea while watching the movies! Have a great week Kelsie!
Kelsie says
They’re such cozy movies, perfect for curling up on the couch when it’s cold out right? Thanks, Leanne!
Laura says
I love anything “snickerdoodle” flavor. And, if it’s easy, Im in! These sound perfect, especially since my stomach is growling right now as I type this. Thanks for the recipe!
Kelsie says
Haha! Thanks, Laura!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Snickerdoodles are my FAVORITE cookie ever, Kelsie! The fact that you turned them into cupcakes is blowing my mind! I need these in my life IMMEDIATELY! And no, I won’t be sharing. 😉 Cheers, girl!
Kelsie says
They’re the best right? Thanks Chey!
Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
Cupcakes made in one bowl?! Yes please!!! Especially Snickerdoodle! I have never met anyone who doesn’t like a Snickerdoodle 🙂
Kelsie says
Thanks Kelly!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I LOVE snickerdoodle anything Kelsie! I’ll definitely be baking a batch of these shortly! Love the cozy cinnamon flavor. Always a hit here!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Mary Ann!
Aimee says
Snickerdoodle cupcakes paired with Harry Potter sounds amazing!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Aimee!
David @ Spiced says
70 degrees!? I hope you pulled out the winter jacket, Kelsie! You know…the one that you used back up here in upstate New York. We can’t have you getting cold out there in the desert. 🙂 I’m with ya on fire season, though. In fact, we might light our first one here today. Now if only I had a batch of these snickdoodle cupcakes to eat while sitting next to said fire. Maybe I’ll just fix that problem! Or maybe I’ll watch Harry Potter seeing as how I’ve never seen any of them. Can we still be friends?
Kelsie says
You’ve read the Harry Potter books right? The movies are good, the books are amazing! Either way we can still be friends though :). Thanks, David!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Oh Harry Potter! Love that movie!! I’ve watched it a ton of times too 🙂 And you can’t beat one bowl anything, especially cupcakes. Less clean up means I could be enjoying these faster and that’s definitely a good thing! Have a wonderful week, Kelsie!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Dawn!
Kim Lange says
Those snickerdoodle cupcakes look sooo dreamy and fantastic! Wish I had one (or three) right now!! Pinning!!!
Kelsie says
Haha! Thank you, Kim!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Oh my goodness!! My daughter makes my favorite snickerdoodle cookie – she’s going to freak when she sees this! I’m a fan! She will be too! Pinned!
Kelsie says
Thank you, Annie!