29 Thanksgiving Cookie Recipes

Pie gets all the attention on Thanksgiving, but a tray of cookies disappears faster. Cookies travel well, feed a crowd, and nobody needs a plate or a fork.

This list rounds up 29 Thanksgiving cookie recipes packed with fall flavor: pumpkin, pecan pie, apple cider, maple, cranberry, sweet potato, and chai.

There are classic snickerdoodles and molasses cookies too, plus a few cute turkey cookies the kids can help decorate.

1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft, puffy, and full of melty chocolate, these come together in one bowl with no mixer and no chilling. Brown sugar, pumpkin puree, an egg, and melted coconut oil or butter form the base.

Pumpkin pie spice gets sprinkled right over the wet mix, then the flour and chocolate chips get folded in.

Scoop with a 2-tablespoon scoop and bake at 350°F for 11 to 13 minutes, until puffed and just set. You will have 18 cookies cooling on the rack in about 30 minutes.

Source details: loveandlemons.com

2. Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

Think of these as little pumpkin cakes in cookie form. A full cup of canned pumpkin goes into the dough along with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of cloves, which gives them a soft, moist crumb.

Once they cool, a swirl of whipped butter and cream cheese frosting goes on top.

The recipe makes about 30 cookies, so it is a good pick for a crowd. Store them in the fridge in a single layer and let them come to room temperature before serving.

Source details: cookingclassy.com

3. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

Bite into one of these and you hit a pocket of creamy cheesecake. Small balls of sweetened cream cheese get frozen first, then wrapped in chewy pumpkin dough and rolled in pumpkin spice sugar.

The secret step is blotting the pumpkin puree with paper towels. The recipe warns that skipping it leaves you with cakey cookies instead of chewy ones.

Bake six at a time for 12 to 13 minutes at 350°F. You get 16 big stuffed cookies.

Source details: inbloombakery.com

4. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Classic snickerdoodles get a fall makeover here with pumpkin puree and plenty of pumpkin pie spice. Melted butter, an egg yolk, and a little cream of tartar keep the centers soft and pillowy while the edges turn chewy.

The dough chills for an hour or two, then each ball gets rolled through cinnamon sugar.

They bake in about 10 minutes at 350°F and make 16 cookies. You can also make the dough in advance, which helps during a busy holiday week.

Source details: averiecooks.com

5. Pumpkin Pie Cookies

These taste like a slice of pumpkin pie shrunk down to cookie size. Rounds of store-bought pie crust bake first, then get a spoonful of creamy pumpkin filling made with cream cheese, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.

A buttery brown sugar streusel goes over the top before the second bake.

Blotting the pumpkin dry keeps the filling thick. One package of crust makes 22 cookies, and the crust rounds can be baked ahead and stored in zip-top bags.

Source details: zestfulkitchen.com

6. Pumpkin Spice Cut Out Sugar Cookies

Cut-out cookies usually mean hours of chilling, but this dough skips it completely. Pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice extract flavor a soft sugar cookie with crisp edges.

Roll it out a quarter inch thick, cut any shape you like, and bake for only 4 to 6 minutes.

A pumpkin spice royal icing is included for decorating, so you can pipe little pumpkins, leaves, or turkeys. Expect about two dozen 2-inch cookies.

Source details: freshaprilflours.com

7. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Two soft, spiced pumpkin cookies sandwich a salted caramel cream cheese frosting in these fall treats. The cookies use brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and they bake in just 10 to 11 minutes.

Salted caramel sauce and extra kosher salt get beaten into the frosting for a sweet and salty finish.

For extra crunch, roll the frosted edges in chopped pecans. Keep the whoopie pies in the fridge until it is time for dessert.

Source details: inspiredbycharm.com

8. Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies

All the flavor of pecan pie, none of the slicing. A buttery brown sugar cookie gets a thumb-sized dent pressed into the center.

That little well is filled with a simple mix of finely chopped pecans, brown sugar, and heavy whipping cream that turns gooey in the oven.

They bake for just 9 to 11 minutes at 350°F, so a batch of 24 is ready in about half an hour. Cool them for a minute before moving them to a rack.

Source details: savvymamalifestyle.com

9. Butter Pecan Cookies

Two rounds of butter flavor go into these. First the chopped pecans get toasted in butter in a skillet, then a full cup of butter is browned for the dough.

Brown sugar, vanilla, and a spoonful of cornstarch keep the cookies soft and fluffy, and a pecan half gets pressed on top of each one.

Plan ahead, because the dough chills for 2 to 3 hours. They bake in 9 to 11 minutes and make 18 rich, sweet and salty cookies.

Source details: dessertsonadime.com

10. Chewy Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

Source details: cambreabakes.com

11. Turtle Cookies

Fudgy chocolate cookies loaded with pecans and chocolate chips form the base here. After they cool, each one gets a spoonful of caramel, a layer of melted milk chocolate, and a pecan half on top.

The caramel is made from scratch with sugar, butter, heavy cream, and a little salt.

Let them set for about 20 minutes before stacking. This batch makes 15 big, bakery-style cookies that look great next to the pies.

Source details: itisakeeper.com

12. Apple Cider Cookies

A cup of apple cider simmers down to a quarter cup, and that concentrated syrup flavors both the dough and the frosting. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg round out the soft, thick sugar cookie.

The dough balls get flattened with a glass dipped in cinnamon sugar, which adds a little sparkle.

An apple cider cinnamon frosting with a spoonful of sour cream goes on top. The recipe makes 14 big cookies, and they taste great chilled.

Source details: thesaltedsweets.com

13. Apple Pie Cookies

These mini apple pies start with store-bought refrigerated pie crust. The filling is homemade, with diced apples cooked in butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until soft and thick.

Each crust circle gets a tablespoon of filling and a woven lattice top made from thin strips of more crust.

An egg wash and a generous shower of cinnamon sugar finish them off. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until golden. That gives you 24 mini pies.

Source details: crayonsandcravings.com

14. Caramel Apple Cookies

Chopped dried apples, caramel bits, and semi-sweet chocolate chips all get folded into a classic brown sugar cookie dough. It is a fun twist on caramel apples that you can stack in a cookie tin.

The dough needs no chilling, so you can go from bowl to oven in about 10 minutes.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn lightly brown. One batch makes around 40 cookies, which is plenty for a big family gathering.

Source details: crayonsandcravings.com

15. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

Tiny cubes of Granny Smith apple go into a soft, cake-like oatmeal cookie with plenty of cinnamon. The chopped apple gets a quick toss in fresh lemon juice before it goes into the dough.

Old-fashioned oats give the cookies a hearty chew, and light brown sugar adds a caramel note.

Scoop about 2 tablespoons per cookie and flatten them slightly before baking for 14 to 15 minutes. Any leftovers store well in an airtight container.

Source details: cookingclassy.com

16. Sweet Potato Pie Thumbprint Cookies

Soft brown sugar cookies hold a creamy sweet potato pie custard in the center. The filling mixes sweet potato puree with an egg yolk, melted butter, heavy cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

A touch of almond extract in the dough gives these a little something extra.

Chill the dough for 30 minutes, press each ball into a round with a well in the middle, then spoon in the filling. They bake in 10 to 12 minutes and make 16 cookies.

Source details: dashofjazz.com

17. Cranberry Orange Cookies

Bright orange zest and chopped dried cranberries make these taste like the holidays. The dough is simple, with butter, sugar, one egg, and flour.

Each ball gets rolled in orange sugar, a quick mix of sugar and zest, then flattened slightly with a glass.

They bake for 7 to 11 minutes, so pull them when they look just barely done. Letting them rest on the hot sheet finishes the baking. The recipe makes 2 dozen.

Source details: thegingeredwhisk.com

18. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Chopped dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips turn a simple butter cookie into a holiday favorite. The dough uses just ten pantry staples, including brown sugar, vanilla, and a full cup of cranberries.

There is no chilling here. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and press them down slightly before baking.

They bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350°F, then rest on the sheet for 5 minutes. With 24 chewy cookies ready in about 25 minutes, they are perfect for last-minute cookie trays.

Source details: dinnerthendessert.com

19. Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Rich pistachio shortbread gets a dollop of homemade cranberry orange sauce in the center. The sauce uses a whole navel orange, peel and all, cooked down with fresh cranberries and sugar.

Ground pistachios go right into the dough, which chills for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

After baking, a drizzle of vanilla icing and more chopped pistachios finish them. They take time, but the batch makes 36 festive red and green cookies.

Source details: ofbatteranddough.com

20. Chai Sugar Cookies

The chai flavor here comes from real tea. You simply cut open a chai tea bag and stir the leaves right into a soft sugar cookie dough made with butter and a little oil.

After baking, a quick glaze of powdered sugar and milk goes on top.

For a pretty finish, sprinkle a pinch of tea from a second bag over the icing before it sets. The batch makes 18 cookies in under 30 minutes, so it is a great last-minute bake.

Source details: feastandwest.com

21. Chewy Molasses Cookies

Crisp edges, soft middles, and deep spice make these a holiday favorite. Blackstrap molasses and dark brown sugar give them rich flavor, while ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom add warmth.

A tablespoon of water helps the dough come together, and each ball gets rolled in cane sugar for a sparkly crackle top.

They bake in about 10 minutes at 350°F. The recipe makes 16, and soft coconut oil can stand in for the butter.

Source details: loveandlemons.com

22. Snickerdoodle Cookies

Sometimes the classic is all you need. These snickerdoodles are soft, slightly chewy, and coated in a thick layer of cinnamon sugar.

The dough is simple, with butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and cream of tartar. Beating the butter and sugar for a full 5 minutes is the step not to skip.

The dough rests in the fridge for just 20 minutes before rolling. Press the tops down a little, then bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges turn golden. Expect about 30 cookies.

Source details: natashaskitchen.com

23. Maple Glazed Cookies

Pure maple syrup flavors both the cookie and the glaze in this cozy fall recipe. The chewy dough combines butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and a hint of cinnamon.

Each ball gets pressed into a half-inch disc so the cookies bake up flat enough to dip.

Once cool, dip the tops in a glaze of powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a splash of milk. Stored airtight, all 24 keep for up to three days.

Source details: nutmegnanny.com

24. Fall Leaf Cut Out Cookies

Source details: madetobeamomma.com

25. Turkey Sugar Cookies

These turkey cookies are almost too cute to eat. The soft, chewy dough has cream cheese in it, and the cut-outs get chilled twice so they hold their shape in the oven.

Royal icing in orange, yellow, and red is piped into little round feathers, and a chocolate icing fills in the body.

They take a few hours, including drying time. The payoff is 24 showstopping cookies that keep for up to two weeks at room temperature.

Source details: chelsweets.com

26. Harvest Marble Chocolate Chip Cookies

Source details: twosisterscrafting.com

27. Salted Caramel Toffee Cookies

Source details: lemonpeony.com

28. Crumbl Caramel Apple Cookies

Source details: dishytime.com

29. Oreo Turkey Cookies

Just five ingredients turn Double Stuf Oreos into a flock of Thanksgiving turkeys. Four or five pieces of candy corn get pushed into the creamy filling to make a fan of feathers.

A dab of black icing works as glue for the eyes and a pumpkin spice morsel beak.

There is no baking, and a batch of 20 takes about 15 minutes. Use the thinnest candy corn in the bag so the cookies don’t split apart.

Source details: emilyenchanted.com

Bake two or three of these the weekend before Thanksgiving, and you will have a full cookie tray ready for the dessert table.

Still planning the menu? Browse our Thanksgiving desserts and Thanksgiving side dishes, then save our Christmas cookie recipes for the next round of holiday baking.