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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (3)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (4)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (5)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (7)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (8)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (9)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (11)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (18)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (20)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (21)

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

51 Fall Cookie Recipes To Kick Off Baking Season (22)

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

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 do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

How To Make Cookies Chewy Without Cornstarch
  1. Go heavy on brown sugar. It has more moisture than its granulated counterpart, which means the cookie comes out less crispy. ...
  2. Choose margarine or shortening instead of butter. ...
  3. Use baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
  4. Rest your dough. ...
  5. Shorten baking time.
May 14, 2023

What's the best thing to bake cookies on? ›

Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Coating your baking sheet with nonstick spray or butter creates an overly greasy foundation which leads to excess spread. Instead, I recommend lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

What not to do when making cookies? ›

Common Cookie Baking Mistakes:
  1. Cookies not baking evenly.
  2. Overcrowding the pan.
  3. Not chilling the dough.
  4. Using wrong flour.
  5. Too much butter softening.
  6. Using stale baking powder or baking soda.
  7. Overworked the dough.
  8. Measuring ingredients incorrectly.
Jan 31, 2023

What makes cookies taste better? ›

Butter is key for most cookies. Not only does it provide flavor, it's the main reason your cookies will spread. As the butter warms in the oven, the dough slackens and gradually spreads out over the baking sheet. It's important to mix your butter well to ensure it's evenly mixed throughout the dough.

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

For soft cookies, use: Brown sugar, as it has a high moisture content and retains moisture better than white sugar. Also, when combined with eggs, brown sugar can prevent spreading (taller cookies tend to be softer and fluffier). Shortening instead of butter or in addition to butter.

What ingredient makes a cookie soft and chewy? ›

Cornstarch gives the cookies that ultra soft consistency we all love. Plus, it helps keep the cookies beautifully thick. We use the same trick when making shortbread cookies. Egg yolk: Another way to promise a super chewy chocolate chip cookie is to use an extra egg yolk.

What does adding cornstarch to cookies do? ›

Cornstarch does kind of incredible things to cookies. I mean not only does it give them soft centers, prevents them from spreading, and makes them somewhat thick (in a good way), but it also contributes to the chewiness factor, which, in my opinion, is the most important cookie attribute.

Is it better to 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. When your oven is too hot, it rushes this process, resulting in a puffy, dry and potentially burnt batch.

Is it better to bake cookies on aluminum foil or parchment paper? ›

A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: "Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil," says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.

Which side of parchment paper goes up? ›

Since parchment paper doesn't have a helpful “this end up” sign with an arrow, it takes a little detective work. Just hold the paper up to the light and look for the side that's slightly glossier or shinier. It is the shiny or glossy side of the parchment paper that should be face up on your baking sheet or cake pan.

How do bakeries keep their cookies soft? ›

Corn Syrup (Light)

Light corn syrup is sometimes used in specialist cakes and confectioneries to help keep baked products soft and doughy for longer.

Does butter or margarine make softer cookies? ›

Though most bakers and cooks prefer butter for its unparalleled taste, margarine does have its place. Because of its high water content, baked goods made with margarine will often have a softer texture.

How do you make cookies soft instead of crunchy? ›

Baking cookies quickly in a hot oven – at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature – will make for soft results. They'll bake fast instead of sitting and drying out in the oven's hot air. Ever so slightly underbaking your cookies will give you softer results than cooking them the full amount the recipe says.

What ingredient makes the cookies rise? ›

Baking Powder. The type of leavening you use in your cookies doesn't just help them rise while baking, it affects their texture and structure too. Baking soda in cookies yields a denser cookie with craggy tops, while baking powder causes cookies to rise higher during baking for a cakier texture.

How do you make cookies soft and chewy? ›

Baking cookies quickly in a hot oven – at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature – will make for soft results. They'll bake fast instead of sitting and drying out in the oven's hot air. Ever so slightly underbaking your cookies will give you softer results than cooking them the full amount the recipe says.

What is cookie secret? ›

Cookie Secret is the secret used to encrypt and sign session cookies. If you don't provide a cookie secret, Pomerium will generate one for you.

What makes cookies not flatten out? ›

Too much flour causes the dough to become dry and crumbly, which prevents it from flattening out during baking. As a result, your cookies will stay in their original shape instead of spreading out into nice circles.

References

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