Step 1

Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

Step 2

Add the butter, 1 cup of the granulated sugar, brown sugar and egg to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium speed just to combine, about 30 seconds. Add the flour mixture in 2 parts and beat on low until just combined. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Step 4

Form the dough into 1 1/4-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon dough per cookie). Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar and coat well; arrange on two baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Do not flatten the balls, as they will spread a lot in the oven.

Step 5

Bake one sheet of cookies at a time until the tops look cracked and the center still feels soft, about 9 minutes. Let the cookies cool in the pan for 3 minutes; they will continue cooking during this time. Once they've firmed up a little, transfer them to a rack to continue cooling. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.