51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (2024)

Celebrate the start of sweater weather with ALL the cookie baking.

By Mackenzie Filson
51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (1)

Fall brings so many of our favorite things: apple picking, (hopefully) the end of sweating our buns off, and all the cookie baking we can handle. Sure, you could warm yourself up with a mug of hot cider but we much prefer baking any (and all) of these fall cookie recipes, like sweet potato cookies, brown butter snickerdoodles, and apple cookies. Whether you're a pumpkin-everything kind of baker or craving apple-cinnamon, caramel, or all of the above, we've got 51 next-level brilliant cookie recipes featuring all the fall flavors you've been missing.

As far as we're concerned, pumpkin isn't just for pie. Yes, a pumpkin pie is a beautiful thing, but it's not the most casual dessert to whip up on a weekday. Which is why we love baking pumpkin into any and all of our favorite classic cookie recipes (the best way to use up canned pumpkin puree, TBH). It lends a tender fluffiness that lands it somewhere between cake and cookie, and adds earthy sweetness to our pumpkin sugar cookies, pumpkin cheesecake cookies, and pumpkin snickerdoodles.

Want to break out of the pumpkin or apple rut? We hear you. Try shaking up your baking routine with some fun, new cookie recipes that are just as comforting as those autumn classics. Festive cookies like pignoli cookies, alfajores, and pistachio chocolate chip cookies need to get to the top of your baking list ASAP. If you're a hardcore chocolate love, you'll flip over how rich our chewy chocolate cookies and espresso cookies are.

Hungry for more? Check out all of our favorite fall desserts and cider co*cktails. And if you have leftover cookies, you hereby have our permission to make an ice cream sandwich at your earliest convenience.

1

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

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Get your pumpkin and cheesecake fix in one with these pumpkin-spiced cookies stuffed with a little surprise: cream cheese filling! The warming pumpkin spice cookies complement the creamy, tangy flavors of cheesecake, creating the most decadent cookie you'll have all season long. Although the pumpkin spice flavor screams fall, these cookies are truly enjoyable any time of the year.

Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies recipe.

2

Twix Cookies

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These easy Twix cookies are the simplest way to make a copycat of our favorite candy bar. Crunchy shortbread is topped with caramel and milk chocolate and mimics a Twix perfectly. If you like salty sweet, a little flaky sea salt on the chocolate before it sets would be divine too.

Get the Twix Cookies recipe.

3

Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies

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Snickerdoodles are only made better by nutty, brown butter. These are chewy with pillowy soft centers and that classic snickerdoodle tang. As they cool, they settle into cracked and wrinkly cookies, which, in our opinion, are the very best kind.

Get the Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies recipe.

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4

Lace Cookies

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These delicate little lace cookies—also known as Italian Florentine cookies—are so easy to make and a fun addition to your holiday cookie spread. They are shatteringly crispy and caramel-y with just enough flour and almonds to barely hold the cookies together.

Get the Lace Cookies recipe.

5

Cinnamon Bun Cookies

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Chef Christina Tosi's runs on cookies. Her other go-to special-occasion baked good? A fresh, warm cinnamon bun. The buttery cinnamon swirl, the gooey cream cheese frosting—she knew she had to dream it into this wildly good cookie recipe.

Get the Cinnamon Bun Cookies recipe.

6

Almond Joy Cookies

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What if your favorite coconut-almond-chocolate candy bar morphed into a crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie? We've done it! Joy is in the name for a reason.

Get the Almond Joy Cookies recipe.

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7

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

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Perhaps the best part of fall is that it's the season of pumpkin treats. We're not just talking about pumpkin spice lattes and homemade pumpkin pie, but pumpkin cinnamon rolls and pumpkin ice cream too. [Insert head-exploding emoji here.] Now, there's a newcomer to the scene: pumpkin oatmeal cookies.

Get the Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies recipe.

8

Bizcochitos

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These anise and cinnamon scented cookies are the official state cookie of New Mexico! Though these cookies vary a bit in style depending where you are in the state, typically they are made with lard or butter, and cut into flower, star, or moon shapes. The anise seeds are crucial for that delicate floral licorice-y flavor, as is a dusting of cinnamon-sugar for added sweetness.

Get the Bizcochitos recipe.

9

Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

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You’ll fall in love with hazelnut flour once you realize how easy it is to make and how nutty it makes these gianduia-inspired cookies. Melted chocolate adds extra cocoa punch to the dough while rich and creamy Nutella tops them off.

Get the Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies recipe.

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10

Black & White Cookies

The cookies are sold at nearly every bakery or deli in New York City where they originated. The giant cookies started popping up in bakery cases as a way to use up leftover cake batter, which is why they have such a cakey texture. Whether you love chocolate or vanilla, this is the cookie for you!

Get the .

11

Peanut Butter Cookies

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Peanut butter cookies are one of those desserts we're always in the mood for. They're salty, sweet, and more rich than a chocolate chip cookie ever could be. We're suckers for the classic fork crosshatch look, but you can totally skip it. (Ready for the next level? Make peanut butter STUFFED cookies.)

Get the Peanut Butter Cookies recipe.

12

Ube Crinkle Cookies

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From halo halo and boba tea to more Western treats like brownies, ice cream, and pie, the uses of ube are endless. This recipe gives the classic crinkle cookie the ube treatment using ube halaya, a popular Filipino pudding made with ube and condensed milk, and ube extract.

Get the Ube Crinkle Cookies recipe.

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13

Monster Cookies

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The origin of the name "monster" cookies isn't clear, but it may refer to the fact that they're like Frankenstein's monster—they're a combination of many parts of other cookies (ours features oats, M&M's, peanuts, and pretzels) and are endlessly riffable. If you're looking for a version of monster cookies that have a bit more spooky-cute flair, check out our Halloween monster cookies.

Get the Monster Cookies recipe.

14

Butter Cookies

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These little guys might look simple, but they're dangerously decadent. There's a healthy dose of salt in the dough, making it easy to down 4 or 5 without overdosing on sugar. Serve them up with a cup of coffee or chai latte for dipping!

Get the Butter Cookies recipe.

15

Icebox Cookies

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Keeping a log of cookie dough in your fridge or freezer is the true genius move. It lets you have dessert ready in just a moment's notice for those last minute guests, and the ability to bake off only a cookie or two for yourself anytime. This recipe is the perfect base for mix-ins—we've included some of our tried and true favorites, but get creative!

Get the Icebox Cookies recipe.

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16

Sweet Potato Cookies

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Forget sweet potato casserole. Forget pumpkin spice lattes. Sweet potato cookies are our new fall staple. Once you taste the maple glaze, you'll understand why.

Get the Sweet Potato Cookies recipe.

17

Thumbprint Cookies

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It's true—this dough is firm, almost like a shortbread, so to make sure it doesn't crack, roll it into balls until smooth and firm, and then gently press your thumb in the center to make sure it doesn't crack. Gently.

Get the Thumbprint Cookies recipe.

18

Jack-O'-Lantern Sandwich Cookies

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Pumpkin sugar cookies get sandwiched together with a cream cheese frosting for a perfect fall dessert. Carve a Jack-o'-lantern into them for an adorable Halloween treat everyone will love. So much better than carving a real pumpkin.

Get the Jack-O'-Lantern Sandwich Cookies recipe.

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19

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to chocolate chip cookie dough results in a heavenly pillow-like cookie with major autumn vibes. Yum!

Get the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

20

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

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Love chocolate chip cookies, but want EVEN more chocolatey flavor? This recipe is for you. These chewy cookies double down on chocolate, thanks to the combo of cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and one of our favorite secret-weapon ingredients: instant coffee.

Get the Chewy Chocolate Cookies recipe.

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (2024)

FAQs

How to make cookies ahead of time for Christmas? ›

Baking cookies that freeze well is one of our favorite ways to get a head start on the holiday season. Freezing baked cookies now gives you a leg up on holiday prep and ensures Santa has something to snack on. Each of these lasts in the freezer up to three months.

What is the secret to making good cookies? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  1. Always use butter.
  2. Choose the right sugar.
  3. Choose the right flour.
  4. Check your flour is in date.
  5. Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  6. Cream the butter and sugar.
  7. Beat in the eggs.
  8. Fold in the flour.

How far in advance can you make cookies? ›

Make ahead: Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Should you bake cookies at 350 or 375? ›

We've found that the optimal temperature for cookie baking is 350F. It gives the butter in the dough time to melt and lightly spread before the remaining ingredients cook through.

How long before Christmas can I bake cookies? ›

You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter.) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked and then frozen.

How to bake cookies ahead of time? ›

Or, place spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet – as if they were going to be baked – and freeze until firm. Remove the frozen dough from the cookie sheet and place into a plastic food bag. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough onto a cookie sheet and bake as directed.

What brings out the flavor in cookies? ›

  • Butter. The most obvious contribution of butter is its flavour (the milk protein browns as the cookie bakes and adds to nuttiness and overall flavour). ...
  • Sugar. First and foremost, sugar adds flavour. ...
  • Flour. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • The secret ingredient – AIR! ...
  • Others – Salt plays an important part to balance the flavour of caramelised sugars.
Jan 17, 2018

What makes cookies chewy and not hard? ›

The science is simple: According to the flour authorities over at Bob's Red Mill, cornstarch can help “soften the rigid proteins of the flour, resulting in a light and chewy dessert.” “The cornstarch complements the flour in absorbing the liquids, but won't develop gluten structure like the flour will,” stresses ...

How to bake cookies like a pro? ›

After you cut out shapes, allow the dough chill on the pan in the refrigerator to prevent over spreading as they bake. For drop cookies, use a scoop to ensure even amount of dough for each cookie—uniform sized cookies bake more evenly. Give about 2 inches of space between cookies on the pan for spreading while baking.

Is it better to refrigerate cookie dough before baking? ›

Popping your dough in the fridge allows the fats to cool. As a result, the cookies will expand more slowly, holding onto their texture. If you skip the chilling step, you're more likely to wind up with flat, sad disks instead of lovely, chewy cookies. Cookies made from chilled dough are also much more flavorful.

Should refrigerated cookie dough be brought to room temperature before baking? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you should refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. More than that, and you won't see a noticeable difference in the final product. Once the dough has chilled, let it warm up at room temperature until it's just pliable (about 5 to 10 minutes).

Can you put cold cookie dough in the oven? ›

Since cold fats take longer to melt than those at room temperature, chilled cookie dough will maintain a denser consistency when placed in a warm oven, spreading less over baking sheets or pans than dough simply shoved inside.

Should I bake cookies with the oven heated from the top or the bottom? ›

Cookies should be baked on the center oven rack for even heating and air circulation. As a best practice, is it recommended to rotate the cookie sheet or sheets roughly halfway, or shortly thereafter, through the baking time, if needed.

What is the best oven setting for baking cookies? ›

Cookie temperatures fluctuate, with some recipes as low as 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and a few as high as 425 degrees Fahrenheit, but most recipes land on 375 or 350 to evenly bake the entirety of the cookie.

What Christmas cookies stay fresh the longest? ›

Shortbread and spritz cookies are longer-lasting cookies, which means they are perfect for holidays when there is some competition on the table. After all, Christmas in many homes is celebrated with a variety of dishes and sweet treats.

How do you keep Christmas cookies crispy? ›

How do you store cookies to stay crisp? To keep crispy cookies crisp, you need to keep them away from moisture. Always store different types of cookies separately—soft cookies can cause crispy cookies to soften due to their extra moisture. Place crispy cookies in an airtight container, but don't completely seal it.

How do you keep Christmas cookies moist? ›

Putting a slice of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies will help the cookies stay soft: fresh bread is moist, and that slice will give up its moisture for the greater good: keeping the cookies from drying out. We recommend white bread so that no flavor is transferred to the cookies.

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