Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking. Set the tray aside while you prepare the dough.

In a medium bowl, add flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir well with a spoon. Make sure everything is mixed evenly. Set this bowl aside for later use.

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together. Use a mixer on medium speed. Mix until light and fluffy. This step makes cookies soft and tender.

Add eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Then add vanilla extract. Beat until smooth. The mixture should look creamy and pale in color.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed. Do not overmix. Stop when a soft dough forms. Scrape the sides of the bowl if needed.

In a small bowl, mix sugar and ground cinnamon. Stir until fully combined. This coating gives the cookies their classic flavor and beautiful crackled look.

Scoop about one tablespoon of dough. Roll into small balls using your hands. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Make sure each ball is fully coated.

Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between each cookie. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Edges should be lightly golden but centers soft.

Remove cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes. Then move them to a cooling rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.