Step 1: Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F. Try to actually remember this before you finish the dough.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar: In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Not melted, not cold. Somewhere in between.

Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in eggs and vanilla until everything looks combined and slightly fluffy.

Step 5: Combine everything: Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until a dough forms. Try not to overmix.

Step 6: Make cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. This is the good part.

Step 7: Scoop and roll: Scoop dough, roll into balls, then roll each one in cinnamon sugar. Do it twice for extra coating. Worth it.

Step 8: Place on tray: Put cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. They spread. Give them space.

Step 9: Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set but centers still look soft.

Step 10: Cool slightly: Let them sit on the tray for a few minutes before moving to a rack. Or eat one early and accept the consequences.