From pumpkin spice to cranberry and pecan, our Thanksgiving cookie recipes capture autumn flavors in every soft, chewy and crispy bite.
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Big Soft Ginger Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These nicely spiced, big soft ginger cookies are perfect for folks who like the flavor of ginger but don't care for crunchy gingersnaps. —Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho
Nothing says fall like the warming flavors of ginger, cinnamon and molasses. These flavors all come together in these chewy cookies that get a little crunch after being rolled in sugar.
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Fudge-Striped Turkey Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Every Thanksgiving, my cousin makes these fudge-striped turkey cookies out of prepared cookies and candies. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
It doesn’t get much cuter than these Thanksgiving cookies! Using packaged fudge stripe cookies, you can create these fun turkey confections. Put them out as a pre-dinner treat or nest them among the sweets on your dessert table.
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Pecan Pie Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Like many people in the South, my family loves pecans. In fact, having pecan pie at Thanksgiving isn’t enough—we’ll follow it with these pecan cookies at Christmas. —Julie McQuiston, Bradenton, Florida
Love pecan pie? These cookies give you that same flavor—brown sugar and pecans—but in bite-sized form. Before serving, add a dollop of whipped cream or frosting.
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Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I visit friends in Lutsen, Minnesota, I make sure to buy maple syrup there because I think it's even better than in Quebec. These delicious cookies can be decorated with sprinkles but they're just fine as is. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Use leaf-shaped cookie cutters to create these sweet Thanksgiving cookies. They have plenty of maple flavor thanks to a generous pour of syrup used in the glaze.
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Caramel Whiskey Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Yogurt replaces part of the butter in this traditional cookie, but you would never know. I get a lot of requests for these and can’t make a cookie tray without them. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
After you’ve mixed a few Thanksgiving drinks, add a splash of whiskey to the caramel topping for these cookies. Drizzled with chocolate, no guests will be able to resist.
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Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
From the Recipe Creator:
I love cinnamon chips, and this is an intriguing way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
This spiced cookie is a twist on a classic soft, crispy-edged snickerdoodle. Instead of rolling the dough in cinnamon sugar before baking, this recipe adds cardamom, ginger, clove and nutmeg to the flavored sugar, for a warmly spiced coating perfect for fall.
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Iced Oatmeal Apple Toffee Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s nothing quite like the classic iced oatmeal cookie, but things get even better when you add in toffee bits and apples. To top these treats, drizzle each with a sweet cinnamon sugar glaze. Now that’s what I call oatmeal cookie heaven. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
This recipe combines a classic oatmeal cookie with a fall favorite—the caramel apple. This recipe uses fresh fruit, so be sure to opt for apples that are good for baking.
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Nutmeg Sugar Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
The holidays are my favorite time of year because I love to bake. These are one of my favorite cookies—they always disappear fast! —Jean Wysocki, Westminster, Colorado
Nutmeg is a warming spice that adds just the right amount of fall flavor to these simple sugar cookies. You can get extra festive and cut these cookies out in leaf and pumpkin shapes for Thanksgiving.
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White Chocolate Pumpkin Dreams
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like pumpkin pie, you'll love these delicious pumpkin cookies dotted with white chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Drizzled with a brown sugar icing, they're irresistible. —Jean Kleckner, Seattle, Washington
If you like pumpkin pie, you’ll love these delicious pumpkin cookies dotted with white chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Drizzled with a brown sugar icing, they’re irresistible.
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Coffee Maple Spritz
From the Recipe Creator:
I like spritz cookies because they're easier to make than rolled cutouts but I can still be creative with different shapes and sizes. Feel free to substitute vanilla or rum extract for the maple flavoring. —Dierdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Spritz cookies aren’t just for Christmas. These maple and coffee spritz perfectly capture the flavors of fall.
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Date Pinwheel Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My granddaughter nicknamed my mother Cookie Grandma because she made wonderful cookie—including these crisp and chewy treats. —Donna Grace, Clancy, Montana
Chewy dates and chopped nuts create a perfect filling for these swirled cookies. Their pretty design makes them look tempting on any treat tray.
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Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I started making these treats after tasting a batch my friend whipped up. I immediately requested the drop cookie recipe and have been baking them by the dozens ever since. The icing is an ideal complement to the tart berries in the cookies. —Shirley Kidd, New London, Minnesota
Easy drop cookies get dressed up for the holidays with a dollop of vanilla frosting.
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Butterscotch Shortbread
From the Recipe Creator:
After sampling these tender cookies in a specialty store, I knew I had to duplicate them. My version has lots of toffee bits and butterscotch chips. I’ve given away dozens as home-baked gifts. —Sandra McKenzie, Braham, MN
Love tender shortbread? You can elevate this simple recipe by stirring in toffee and butterscotch chips.
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Pumpkin Spice Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These big, soft spice cookies created by our staff have a sweet frosting that makes them an extra-special treat. Enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
These shortcut cookies start with a package of yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin. After cooling, top these with a simple frosting imbued with orange zest.
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Cinnamon Twirl Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These rolled cookies are tasty and fun to make with your family. The sugary mixture of walnuts and cinnamon is a light, sweet filling that will leave everyone wanting another bite. —Phyllis Cappuccio, Malden, Massachusetts
These rolled cookies are tasty and fun to make. The sugary mixture of walnuts and cinnamon is a light, sweet filling that will leave everyone wanting another bite.
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Walnut-Filled Pillows
From the Recipe Creator:
These tender cookie pillows, filled with a delicious walnut mixture, are my husband's favorite. He says it wouldn't be Christmas without them. —Nancy Kostrej, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Walnuts and vanilla create a sweet and crunchy filling for these tender pillow-like cookies. For more flavor, add a bit of orange zest.
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Cinnamon Crackle Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is the compilation of many years of baking. I make these cookies for a holiday bazaar and year-round for our family. They freeze well. —Vicki Lair, Albert Lea, Minnesota
These cinnamon cookies are so much more than cinnamon! They also include flavors of almond extract, orange zest and lemon zest.
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Coconut Cranberry Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband came home from the grocery store with six bags of fresh cranberries, I launched a full-scale effort to creatively use them all. Bursting with tart and sweet flavors, these cranberry coconut cookies are my favorite result from that experiment. —Amy Alberts, Appleton, Wisconsin
Classic macaroons get transformed into Thanksgiving-worthy cookies thanks to plenty of fresh, tart cranberries.
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Carrot Cake Shortbread
From the Recipe Creator:
I really love carrot cake and wanted to make a cookie that had the same flavors. These comforting cookies are just the ticket! Cinnamon, maple and vanilla make them perfect for the holidays. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
These cookies give you all the flavors of carrot cake but in compact form. This recipe uses grated carrot, cinnamon and walnuts—just like the real deal.
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Nutty Pie-Crust Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I like Italian cream cake, so I used it as inspiration for this cookie recipe. The splash of orange liqueur in the filling is my special touch. —Sonji McCarty-Onezine, Beaumont, Texas
These cookies take inspiration from the pie crust we’re all making this time of year. Roll the edges in toasted coconut for extra crunch and flavor.
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Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests will stand in line to kiss the cook when these treats are served! For a change of pace, try them with chunky peanut butter, too. —Canada60, Tasteofhome.com Community
Got gluten-free friends? These cookies deliver all the same flavors as a traditional peanut butter kiss cookie, without any gluten.
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Day After Thanksgiving Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
With your leftover cranberry sauce and pumpkin, bake some Thanksgiving cookies. I’ve used jellied and whole-berry cranberry sauce, and both are equally delicious. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
These Thanksgiving cookies use extras from holiday prep. Spoon canned cranberry sauce and pumpkin into the batter for a cookie that tastes just like the fall season.
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Cinnamon Sugar Crackle Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I get lots of compliments on these crunchy cookies. They're always part of my Christmas cookie platter. —Sarah Miller, Wauconda, Washington
Use your favorite type of cinnamon in this recipe for crispy cookies. Opt for mellow Ceylon or get a kick from Saigon cinnamon.
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Super Chunky Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate lovers will go crazy over these cookies that feature loads of chocolate! When friends ask me to make "those cookies," I know exactly what recipe they mean. —Rebecca Jendry, Spring Branch, Texas
These easy cookies have it all: chocolate chips, mini chips, white chips, toffee chips and plenty of pecans.
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Molasses Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy cookies are also perfect for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Save room after dinner for these oversized molasses cookies. The coarse sugar coating gives them a nice crunch on the outside before you hit the chewy interior.
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Maple Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe after tasting maple cookies with a maple glaze at a bakery in Stowe, Vermont, some years ago. I get many requests to bring them for bake sales, parties and ski trips. —Delores Day, Wolcott, Vermont
Break out that bottle of syrup for more than just pancakes. These cookies use maple syrup for flavor and sweetness. It’s used in the cookie dough and the sweet glaze drizzled over the top.
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Tender Pecan Logs
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks always ask me to make these tender nutty logs. Not overly sweet, they're just right with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. —Joyce Beck, Gadsden, Alabama
These cookies are the definition of melt-in-your-mouth. To get the right texture, finely chop the pecans. A food processor or small food chopper really helps!
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Brown Sugar Cutout Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Our neighbor made these for me when I was little, and now I make them for my kids, my grandkids and the children at school. Serve them with milk for the kids and tea for the grown-ups. —Nancy Lynch, Somerset, Pennsylvania
A simple cutout cookie is all you need after an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner. You can form these cookies into simple shapes or break out your seasonal cookie cutter collection.
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Caramel-Apple Shortbread Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
There is nothing like seeing my friends almost melt to the floor when they bite into something I made. These cookies never fail to elicit oohs and aahs. —Amber Taylor, Lenoir City, Tennessee
We love caramel apple desserts in all their forms. These shortbread cookies get flavor from dried apples and a perfectly sticky caramel drizzle.
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White Chocolate-Cranberry Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
The original version of this recipe was handed down from my great-aunt. Through the years, my mother and I have tried different flavor combinations, but this version has become a favorite. —Brenda Keith, Talent, Oregon
After dinner, enjoy a cup of hot coffee with a cookie designed for dunking. These biscotti are packed with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Add a sprinkling of your favorite baking spices to amp up the flavor.
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Cranberry Port Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my version of a recipe I tasted years ago—my family loves it. The flaky cookies are filled with a scrumptious combination of dried cranberries, cinnamon, lemon and a hint of port wine. —Leslie Forte, Oakhill, Virginia
The flaky cookies are filled with a scrumptious combination of dried cranberries, cinnamon, lemon and a hint of port wine. The port makes them a great treat to serve after dinner, when folks would traditionally sip a bit of this fortified wine.
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Cardamom Swedish Rusks
From the Recipe Creator:
Cardamom, which has a lemony ginger flavor, is a popular spice in Scandinavian foods. It gives a pleasantly pungent flavor to these crisp cookies. Similar to biscotti, they’re perfect dunkers for a cup of coffee. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota
Cardamom has a citrusy and herbal flavor—perfect for stirring into fall bakes. These crispy rusks are just right for dipping into coffee after a big Thanksgiving dinner.
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Cranberry Shortbread Stars
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves shortbread and I love cranberries, so I decided to put the two together to make cranberry shortbread cookies. The star shape is a festive addition to my holiday cookie tray. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Dried cranberries can be stirred into a basic shortbread dough to transform this treat into perfect Thanksgiving cookies.
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Palmier Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
It takes just two ingredients to make these impressive but easy-to-do French pastries, which are often called palm leaves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
It takes just two ingredients to make these impressive but easy-to-do French pastries, which are often called palm leaves. When baked, they’re wonderfully crispy and taste great alongside coffee or hot cocoa.
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Chocolate Gingersnaps
From the Recipe Creator:
When my daughter Jennifer was 15 years old, she created this recipe as a way to combine two of her favorite flavors. They're perfect with a glass of milk. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
Love gingersnaps? Love chocolate? Why not pair them together in this spicy, chocolaty recipe?
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Pilgrim Hat Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
We dreamed up this combination for a yummy treat to take into school before our Thanksgiving break. Everyone loved them! —Megan and Mitchell Vogel, Jefferson, Wisconsin
Looking to get kids involved with holiday prep? These pilgrim hat cookies are perfect for little hands to assemble with peanut butter cups and packaged striped cookies.
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Rugelach Recipe
From the Recipe Creator:
The crisp texture of these crescent-shaped cookies makes them a terrific treat to serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee.
The crisp texture of these crescent-shaped cookies makes them a terrific treat to serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee.
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Cranberry Nut Swirls
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe originated with my sister-in-law. It gets used a lot over the holidays when we want to pull a fast one on the guys in our family. They claim they don't like cranberries in any shape or form, but everyone enjoys these. —Carla Hodenfield, Ray, North Dakota
These pinwheel cookies are full of autumn flavors thanks to cranberries and walnuts. They’re a great way to end a Thanksgiving celebration.
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Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I packed chocolate chips, raisins, nuts and cinnamon into my oatmeal cookie recipe. These soft cookies are easy to make. Best of all, our kids love them! —Janis Plageman, Lynden, Washington
This recipe is packed with chocolate chips, raisins, nuts and cinnamon. They’re soft and tender—and perfect for dunking in a cold glass of milk.
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Chocolate Cherry Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries.
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White Chocolate-Cappuccino Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These adorable cookies shaped like coffee cups don't last long with my friends and family. For an even richer flavor, I use a mocha latte coffee mix. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
These five-star cookies won’t last long in the cookie jar this fall! They’re flavored with cappuccino mix and white chocolate. If you want to go the extra mile, dust with a little cinnamon or nutmeg—just the way a barista would at your favorite coffee shop.
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Chocolate Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
These white chocolate-drizzled cookies are a cinch to make, so I’m happy to whip up a batch any time. My neighbors always look forward to them! —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa
These almond and chocolate biscotti start with a box of chocolate cake mix, for a convenient shortcut. A drizzle of white chocolate is an elegant garnish, or you could dip the bottom half of each cookie.
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Oatmeal Crispies
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband, who normally isn't fond of oatmeal, thinks these old-fashioned cookies are great. With a hint of nutmeg, their aroma is wonderful as they bake...and they taste even better! —Karen Henson, St. Louis, Missouri
These old-fashioned cookies are flavored with nutmeg. They have a perfectly crisp texture that’s perfect for crunchy cookie lovers.
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Apple Peanut Butter Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These apple peanut butter cookies are great for fall gatherings. They're crisp on the outside and soft inside. —Marjorie Benson, New Castle, Pennsylvania
Do you love apples dunked in peanut butter as a snack? Then these Thanksgiving cookies are for you. This recipe uses grated apples and chunky peanut butter.
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Peanut Butter Spritz Fingers
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves this peanut butter fingers recipe because they satisfy the need for chocolate and for something crunchy, sweet and nutty, all in just one bite! —Irma Lowery, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Believe it or not, these crunchy cookies are made with a cookie press—the same gadget you use to make spritz at Christmas time. Once baked and cooled, dip in melted chocolate and chopped peanuts.
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Sweet Potato Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Cozy up to the fire with a plate of satisfyingly sweet cookies that taste like home. Serve them with a mug of hot chai tea or ice-cold milk, and no one will be able to resist them. —Jacque Sue Meyer, Lohman, Missouri
Love sweet potato pie? Try this tuber in a cookie! When steamed and mashed, it works just the same as pumpkin puree.
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Chocolate Lebkuchen
From the Recipe Creator:
Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. —Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas
These chocolaty cookies are so much more than what they appear. Lebkuchen are flavored with cardamom, cloves, allspice, cinnamon and citrus zest. They get extra crunch from ground almonds and hazelnuts.
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Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
This tasty biscotti is studded with dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios. It's delicious with tea or coffee. —Diane Gruber, Sioux City, Iowa
These biscotti have an oil-based dough, which helps them become crunchy during their second bake. Pistachios and cranberries are festively colored and taste great together, but you can easily swap in your favorite nuts and dried fruit to make them your own.
Thanksgiving Cookie Recipes FAQ
What are the most popular Thanksgiving cookies?
Popular Thanksgiving cookies combine classic cookie recipes, like shortbread, snickerdoodles and sugar cookies, with fall ingredients and flavors, like pumpkin, maple, cranberry and apple. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger add a warming touch. Thanksgiving-themed cookie cutters or sprinkles quickly transform simple doughs into festive treats.
What are some easy Thanksgiving cookie recipes?
Easy Thanksgiving cookie recipes include drop cookies with doughs that don’t need to be shaped, rolled or chilled and ones with simple ingredient lists. If your oven is full, try no-bake cookies with fall flavors or cookies you can assemble from store-bought ingredients to look like turkeys or pilgrim hats.
Can you make Thanksgiving cookies ahead of time?
Thanksgiving cookies are fantastic to make ahead of time and will stay fresh in airtight containers for three to four days for cakey cookies and up to two weeks for sturdy cookies. Alternatively, you can make the dough and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake. For longer storage, you can freeze cookies, baked or unbaked, to enjoy later in the season.
