Who says pie gets all the attention on Thanksgiving? These Thanksgiving cookies bring the same comforting fall flavors in bite-size form. Easy to bake, fun to decorate, and impossible to resist.
Keep on reading! I have all the best cookie recipes for Thanksgiving here, all in one place.
Katalin’s key take on why to make cookies for Thanksgiving
Baking season is upon us, and certainly, everyone loves the smell of freshly baked cookies coming out of the oven on Thanksgiving! Cookies are perfect for Thanksgiving because they are easy, can be baked ahead of time, and are made to share.
It's a busy time in the kitchen, but you can make the cookie dough weeks in advance and freeze the dough balls to bake on Thanksgiving morning in no time at all. They travel well, too, if you are visiting friends and family and want to bring an offering for the table.
Another reason I love baking cookies for Thanksgiving is that you can easily infuse them with those cozy Fall flavors we know and love. Apple, pecan, pumpkin spice, and more! All the classics can be incorporated so easily, or you can choose something a bit more special and unique.
I only recommend tried and tested, reliable recipes for cookies and other baked goods, so you know you can bake for success.
The Best Thanksgiving Cookies
1. Apple Pie Cookies
I love to bake apple pie for Thanksgiving, and now you can have it in a cookie format! These Thanksgiving cookies are soft and chewy with the perfect amount of cinnamon spice and a juicy caramelized apple pie filling. Every cookie is like a mini apple pie!
Check out these other apple desserts if you want to make the most of the apple season this Fall! Apples are one of those seasonal flavors that are on everyone's Thanksgiving dessert table, and it isn't hard to see why.
2. S’mores Cookies
If you love to bring the cozy vibes on Thanksgiving, a 'smores cookie is the way to go. A soft and chewy cookie, a crunchy Graham cracker, melted chocolate, and gooey marshmallow in every bite. What's not to love?
3. Pecan Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies look really fun and festive, and taste just as good! With all those trademark pecan flavors for Thanksgiving, this recipe is the perfect choice. What's more, they are incredibly easy to make. The longest and hardest part of this recipe is waiting for the dough to chill!
4. Creme Brûlée Cookies
Here's a fancy cookie recipe for Thanksgiving that will cause a stir! A perfectly soft and chewy cookie with a pastry cream topping that is sprinkled with sugar and torched for that iconic crunchy caramelized top. In conclusion, this is a seriously special cookie that is perfect for a special occasion.
5. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
What could be better on Thanksgiving than a plate of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies? It's a dream for any peanut butter fan. The recipe comes together really easily, and I like to make the cookie dough and freeze balls of it ready to bake whenever I have a craving.
6. Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies
Have you ever baked cookies with cream cheese before? It gives the most incredibly soft and moist dough that tastes amazing with the gooey chocolate chips. If you're looking for the best cookies for Thanksgiving, look no further!
7. Funfetti Cookies
Here's a Thanksgiving cookie recipe that the kids will love to make! They're so simple, and only use basic pantry ingredients, but they look and taste like a party. Bake a double batch as the adults will love them too!
8. Almond Croissant Cookies
These almond croissant cookies are an absolute delight for almond lovers and taste amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! There's a buttery, chewy base, a luscious frangipane filling, and a sprinkle of toasted almond flakes on top. Simply put, they will definitely bring some French elegance to Thanksgiving.
9. Pistachio Cookies
Pistachio cookies are pure perfection! Baked with soft vanilla cookie dough, loaded with crushed pistachios, and studded with rich chocolate chips, each bite is a delicious balance of flavor and texture. The dough is super easy to make; even beginner bakers can do it!
10. Coconut Cookies
If you’re a coconut lover, these chewy and crunchy coconut cookies will be a hit at the Thanksgiving dessert table! Each bite delivers the perfect mix of sweet coconut flavor, a dip of rich chocolate, and a sprinkle of toasted flakes for extra texture. Soft and tender inside with a satisfying crisp edge, everyone always loves them.
11. White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
These white chocolate raspberry cookies have a sweet and buttery dough with gooey white chocolate chunks and fresh, juicy raspberries. Whether you’re serving an after-dinner indulgence on Thanksgiving Day or a cozy afternoon snack, these irresistible cookies will surely be a hit with everyone!
12. Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Let's start with a triple whammy of dessert champions. Snickerdoodle, pumpkin cheesecake, and cookies all in one bite! Surely you won't try anything better. They are incredibly delicious and soft and full of Fall flavors, plus a tangy, creamy cheesecake filling, which will come as a lovely surprise to anyone who takes a bite. What's not to love?
13. Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Celebrate the flavors of Fall by baking my brown butter pecan chocolate chip cookies that are loaded with pecans, cinnamon, brown butter, and brown sugar. The perfect balance of richness and sweetness is enhanced by a touch of sea salt; trust me on this: it's a must-add!
With a chewy exterior and gooey interior infused with deep chocolate and nutty notes, bake these cookies for all your Fall and Thanksgiving festivities.
14. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
Nut lovers will adore the crunch of earthy walnuts in these chocolate chip cookies; they are seriously indulgent cookies to enjoy during those darker evenings. What's more, they have the signature chewy texture and the gooey inside that is the hallmark of the best Thanksgiving cookies!
Walnut desserts are always a favorite of mine come Fall; they have the best earthy flavor. And they add texture as well as flavor, so it's surely a win-win.
15. Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
An oatmeal cookie has a tasty and unique texture and is also a healthy cookie recipe for Thanksgiving in the sea of all the other rich foods! What's more, it would be hard to find a more delicious recipe with so minimal effort.
Even if you are a beginner in the kitchen, you can make these oatmeal cookies easily. They require very simple ingredients, equipment, and techniques, and really deliver classic Thanksgiving flavors.
16. Brownie Cookies
Rich and fudgy brownie cookies are a chocoholic dream this Thanksgiving. If you love brownies but love cookies more, this is what you should bake at Thanksgiving. All the dense and fudgy goodness of brownies, but with that crunchy, slightly chewy exterior of a cookie, plus all the deep chocolate flavor you could ever want.
I always find that I crave chocolate at Thanksgiving, and decadent chocolate cookies will always please a crowd, so what are you waiting for?
17. Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Brown butter adds the most intense nutty and rich taste to anything, trust me! And when added to cookies made with brown sugar, you get a delicious undertone of caramel that mixes perfectly with the brown butter taste.
Whilst it adds an extra step to cookie preparation, it is well worth it, and all you need to do is cook butter slightly past its melting point to toast those milk solids and get a new depth of flavor. Make these delicious cookies for Thanksgiving and thank me later!
18. Tiramisu Cookies
Tiramisu cookies are always a good idea, and Thanksgiving is no exception! These delicious, coffee-flavored cookies are the perfect after-dinner treat that combines espresso powder and sweet mascarpone frosting, topped with cocoa powder. No matter how or where you eat them, it is sure to be something that everyone will love!
19. Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
These delicious almond flour peanut butter cookies are the perfect gluten-free Thanksgiving treats. They are packed with flavor and also incredibly straightforward to make! These cookies are made with almond flour, creamy peanut butter, two types of sugar, and a hint of vanilla to create delicious, gooey cookies that the whole family will love.
20. Danish Butter Cookies
For a simple yet flavorful dessert or snack that the whole family will love after Thanksgiving dinner, these buttery and soft Danish butter cookies (also known as Danish biscuits) will not disappoint! They are buttery, melt in your mouth, just what you need with a cup of coffee!
21. Coffee Cookies
These rich and chocolatey coffee cookies are a bold and decadent dessert filled with delicious flavor in every bite. This chewy and indulgent treat pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee to help you double down on the dreamy flavors that will keep you coming back for more! If you are not so much into traditional pumpkin desserts, this easy coffee cookie recipe can be one of the most popular Thanksgiving recipes.
22. Pumpkin Spice Roll Cookies
These easy Thanksgiving cookies are icebox cookies that combine pumpkin cookie dough with brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice filling. Made in a convenient icebox/slice-and-bake style, this recipe begins with a super simple one-bowl pumpkin sugar cookie dough that's sprinkled with brown sugar and a generous amount of pumpkin pie spice before being rolled up.
Then, simply chill, slice, and bake! For the perfect finishing touch, opt for either cream cheese icing or maple icing before serving.
23. Pecan Pie Cookies
What Thanksgiving party would be complete without pecan pie? And pecan pie cookies deliver all of the rich, nutty, caramel-like flavors of the famous pecan dessert but in easy, thumbprint cookie form! I especially love the sticky crunch that comes from the gooey caramel and pecan pie filling, and what's more, they are very easy to package up and transport.
24. Dark Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Cookies
I'd definitely classify this recipe as one of those traditional Thanksgiving cookies to bake due to the walnuts and cranberries. But the addition of dark chocolate chips is insane! The taste is rich and intense, and definitely made for colder weather, and is best enjoyed in front of a cracking fire. Serve these cookies with coffee to really elevate those flavors.
25. Roly Poly Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Maple Frosting
When thinking of Thanksgiving cookie ideas, this recipe deserves to be right at the top of the list. Decorating Thanksgiving cookies has never been so fun. Get the kids involved in this pumpkin dessert or rope in your friends; surely, everyone will want to try it.
What's more, you could make them for Halloween as well as Thanksgiving, which gives you the perfect excuse to eat pumpkin sugar cookies twice. Just be sure to bake enough of them; they will disappear very quickly after you've worked so hard to decorate them.
26. Peanut Butter Cookies
You might expect this level of perfection in a cookie from a bakery, but it is, in fact, achievable at home. Perfectly peanut buttery, with crispy edges and a tender, chewy center, these peanut butter cookies need to be tasted to be believed. The top tip is to use shortening, such as Crisco, as it helps the cookies keep their shape and get that signature crackly top.
27. Pumpkin S'mores Cookies
Get those cozy campfire vibes with every bite of pumpkin s'mores cookies, and make enough to share as everyone will want a taste! You won't believe how good the gooey marshmallow tastes against the chocolate chips and pumpkin spice cookie dough. Who needs Thanksgiving pies when you have Thanksgiving cookies?
28. Turkey Sugar cookies
Thanksgiving turkey cookies are the hilariously adorable treat you need to make this holiday season! I am not sure I have ever seen such perfectly decorated Thanksgiving cookies before. The no-spread sugar cookie dough and homemade royal icing mean these Thanksgiving sugar cookies not only taste delicious but are the perfect centerpiece for the dessert table. Everyone will want to take them home, so be sure to make enough cookies for a crowd.
29. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Have you ever used pumpkin puree as an egg substitute for baking? It makes these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies perfectly soft and delicious and full of the perfect flavors of fall. But it's important to pay attention to the ingredient notes in this (and every!) recipe. For example, it's recommended to buy organic canned pumpkin so that it isn't too watery, as this will affect the outcome. Bakery is all about precision, after all.
30. Vanilla Cardamom Shortbread Snowflake Sandwich Cookies
Surely this cookie recipe sounds too good to be true. A crisp, buttery cardamom shortbread sandwich cookie with vanilla beans and filled with an espresso Swiss meringue buttercream filling? I imagine it to be like a warm, spiced vanilla latte, but in cookie form. And that definitely sounds like a Thanksgiving cookie I want to bake.
31. Caramel Pretzel Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are a sandwich cookie version of a Viennese specialty, Linzer tart, that is served around the holidays. Whilst normally filled with jam or preserves, this cookie features a homemade caramel filling instead. And trust me, it's good!
The Linzer cookies themselves are infused with a rich pretzel flavor, and if you crave a holiday cookie that really stands out, this recipe is perfect for breaking tradition.
32. Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Deliciously thick and chewy, you'll love these sweet and simple pumpkin cookies topped with a creamy pumpkin-spice frosting. What's more, they are simply loaded with pumpkin pie spice so they really double down on the Fall flavors. This recipe is also full of great baking tips to help you get the best out of your bakes.
33. Fig and Cardamom Macaron Cookies
The deep and aromatic warmth of cardamom is perfect for elegant Thanksgiving gatherings. Figs are such delicious Fall fruits to use in baking, with a sweet and earthy taste that pairs really well with Fall spices. The sticky and sweet fig macaron filling pairs beautifully with the subtle spice in the macaron shells and makes for a perfect petit four to serve after dinner.
34. Pecan Shortbread with Maple Glaze
Surely, this cookie recipe deserves a poll position on your Thanksgiving dessert table. The maple glaze has a beautiful sheen to it, and the delicate pecan garnish adds more crunch to the light and buttery shortbread cookie beneath. This is going to the top of my list of Thanksgiving cookies to bake this year.
35. 3 Flavor Pumpkin Neapolitan Cookies
These pumpkin Neapolitan cookies have three different flavors in one cookie: pumpkin vanilla, pumpkin spice, and chocolate pumpkin! And they look seriously cool, too. I'll bet no one will even believe you made them.
The cookies are made with one chewy pumpkin sugar cookie base, which is then flavored with additional ingredients like pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and black cocoa powder. So even though they look complicated, they are actually very simple to make.
36. Pumpkin Pie Macarons
Imagine the dainty, elegant look of a French macaron but all the flavor of pumpkin pie. What could be better? The Thanksgiving macaron cookies are seriously pretty to look at, as well as being seriously tasty and festive, so they are well worth the effort to make.
37. Apple Butter Snickerdoodles
These apple butter snickerdoodles are an unbelievably tasty blend of Fall spices and perfectly balanced sweetness. Imagine taking a bite of a chewy cookie that's enriched with brown sugar, warm Fall spices, and tart yet sweet apple butter. Then these cookies boast that signature snickerdoodle chew, which we all know and love.
38. Pumpkin Coffee Cake Cookies
Pumpkin coffee cake cookies combine all the Fall favorites in a decadent dessert. We have chewy cookies, pumpkin spice, a kick of coffee, and buttery cinnamon streusel topping in every bite. So it's safe to say I'm a fan!
And what's more, this delicious Thanksgiving cookie recipe is a lot easier to make than you might think.
39. Easy Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are the perfect cookies to make for Thanksgiving. And with the delicious warm hint of spice in this recipe, you'll be hooked! Indulge in soft sugar cookies that are crispy on the edges and irresistibly chewy in the center. This perfect sugar cookie recipe is a holiday essential, especially when you have guests at home!
40. Soft Glazed Gingerbread Cookies
Whilst the flavor and texture of these Thanksgiving cookies are certainly delicious, the glaze is really what makes these cookies shine! And of course, buying a cute cookie stamp to make your imprinted cookies.
You will need to plan ahead as the dough needs to rest overnight in the fridge before baking - but this is a plus for a busy host who wants to prep as much as they can the day before Thanksgiving.
41. Fall Leaf Cut-Out Cookies
Cute cutout cookies in seasonal shapes and colors are a really fun way to celebrate the coming of the Fall season, and they look stunning on a Thanksgiving dessert spread. The colorful cookie dough and sanding sugar give them a really unique look, and baking these pretty cookies is also a great activity for kids at Thanksgiving.
42. Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin cookies
Give a big welcome to Fall with the best treat: a copycat recipe for the famous Crumbl caramel pumpkin cookies. Enjoy the soft, thick pumpkin cookie base topped with a velvety caramel cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice; they are simply irresistible! You won't be able to stop eating after just one, so be sure to bake enough for a crowd.
43. Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream cheese and pumpkin are certainly one of those flavor combinations made in foodie heaven. The tang of the rich cream cheese frosting perfectly cuts through the sweetness of the cookie, but the pumpkin taste still shines through.
But be warned, pumpkin cookies will definitely disappear fast this Thanksgiving, so make a double batch! Finish with a dusting of cinnamon for that super polished professional look.
44. Pumpkin Molasses Cookies
This easy, one-bowl cookie recipe has plenty of pumpkin pie spice, sweet molasses, and Fall pumpkin flavor. The interior texture is chewy with that deep caramel flavor, but the outside of the cookie bakes up perfectly crisp thanks to the glistening sugar coating. They're irresistible!
45. Brown Butter Maple Pecan Cookies
How delicate and pretty is this Thanksgiving cookie recipe? The shortbread cookie dough is filled with toasted, finely chopped pecans before being baked to perfection and dipped in a maple syrup glaze. They're pretty, dainty, and tasty, and pretty much the perfect Thanksgiving cookie recipe to make and impress your friends and family.
Furthermore, they make beautiful and heartfelt gifts to give to family members on this special day.
46. Mini Pumpkin Pie Slice Cookies
Well, I think these adorable cookies might just win the award for the cutest Thanksgiving-decorated cookies to bake this year. What's more, the recipe includes detailed instructions on how to pipe the icing perfectly and get that professional look.
These cute little treats are the perfect bite-sized cookies and definitely taste as good as they look. I can imagine them beautifully wrapped up as gifts for a busy hostess.
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