Fall brings crisp air and cozy feelings. It’s the perfect time to bake warm, comforting cookies.
The scent of spices and sweet treats fills your home as you create these seasonal delights.
You’ll find 15 tasty fall cookie recipes to try. From classic pumpkin spice to apple cinnamon, these cookies capture autumn’s best flavors.
Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake some delicious fall treats.
1. Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
Pumpkin spice snickerdoodles are a tasty fall twist on classic snickerdoodle cookies. They combine the warm flavors of pumpkin pie spice with the soft, chewy texture of traditional snickerdoodles.
To make these cookies, you’ll cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
Mix in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice.
Roll the dough into balls and coat them in a mixture of sugar and more pumpkin pie spice.
Bake the cookies at 350°F for a perfectly spiced, autumn-inspired treat.
These cookies are great for sharing at fall gatherings or enjoying with a warm cup of coffee on a chilly day.
2. Maple Pecan Cookies
Maple pecan cookies are a tasty fall treat. They combine the sweet flavor of maple with crunchy pecans.
These cookies use real maple syrup instead of extract. This gives them a rich, natural maple taste.
Dark brown sugar adds extra depth to the flavor.
The pecans provide a nice texture contrast to the soft, chewy cookie. They also complement the maple wonderfully.
You can make these cookies easily at home. They’re great for busy families who want a quick fall dessert.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy them.
Try baking a batch of maple pecan cookies this autumn. They’re sure to become a new seasonal favorite.
3. Cranberry Orange Cookies
Cranberry orange cookies are a tasty fall treat. They mix tart cranberries with zesty orange flavors.
To make these cookies, cream butter and sugar together. Add egg, orange juice, and orange zest.
Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in dried cranberries.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets.
Bake until the edges turn golden brown. Let the cookies cool before enjoying.
For extra sweetness, drizzle an orange glaze on top. These cookies are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee on a chilly autumn day.
4. Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies
Oatmeal raisin spice cookies are a cozy fall treat. These cookies combine chewy oats, sweet raisins, and warm spices.
To make them, you’ll cream butter and sugars, then add eggs and vanilla.
Mix in flour, baking soda, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Fold in oats and raisins last. Scoop the dough onto baking sheets and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
The result is a perfectly chewy cookie with crisp edges. The spices give these classics an extra flavor boost perfect for autumn.
5. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies blend the comforting flavors of fall into a chewy treat. You’ll love the mix of sweet apples and warm cinnamon in every bite.
To make them, start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
Mix oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugars, then add eggs and vanilla.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Fold in diced apples.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes until golden brown.
Let the cookies cool before enjoying. They’re perfect with a glass of milk or cup of tea on a crisp autumn day.
6. Ginger Molasses Cookies
Ginger molasses cookies are a tasty fall treat. They’re soft, chewy, and full of warm spices.
To make these cookies, you’ll mix butter, sugar, molasses, and eggs. Then add flour, baking soda, and spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Roll the dough into balls and bake for 8-10 minutes at 375°F. The cookies will crack slightly on top as they bake.
Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.
These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
7. Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These cookies blend sweet, savory, and nutty flavors for a perfect fall treat. Brown butter gives them a rich, toasty taste. Bourbon adds warmth and depth.
Toasted pecans provide crunch and complement the bourbon. Chocolate chunks melt into gooey pockets throughout the cookie.
The edges are crispy while the centers stay soft and chewy. You’ll love the mix of textures in each bite.
These cookies are great for holiday gatherings or cozy nights at home. The bourbon flavor makes them feel extra special and grown-up.
8. Caramel Apple Cookies
Caramel apple cookies are a tasty fall treat that combines two classic flavors. These cookies mix the sweetness of caramel with the tartness of apples for a delicious result.
To make them, you’ll cream butter and brown sugar, then add in flour, oats, and spices.
Grated fresh apple and dried apple chips boost the apple flavor.
For the caramel, you can use store-bought caramel bits or make a homemade caramel sauce. Some recipes call for drizzling the caramel on top after baking.
Bake the cookies until golden brown. The end result is a soft, chewy cookie packed with autumn flavors.
They’re perfect for fall gatherings or as an after-school snack.
9. Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies
Chai spiced sugar cookies bring warmth and coziness to your fall baking. These treats blend classic sugar cookie dough with aromatic chai spices.
To make them, mix cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves into your sugar cookie recipe.
The spices infuse the dough with rich flavor.
Roll the dough into balls, then coat in sugar before baking. As they bake, your kitchen will fill with the scent of warm spices.
For extra indulgence, top cooled cookies with an eggnog glaze. The combination of spices and sweet icing creates a delightful fall treat.
10. Sweet Potato Cookies with Marshmallow Frosting
These cookies bring fall flavors to your dessert plate. You’ll love the blend of sweet potatoes and marshmallows in cookie form.
Start by mixing flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. In another bowl, combine butter, sugars, and vanilla. Add mashed sweet potato to the wet ingredients.
Mix the dry and wet ingredients together to form your dough.
Shape the dough into balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until golden brown.
Once cooled, top your cookies with a fluffy marshmallow frosting. This adds a gooey, sweet finish that pairs perfectly with the spiced cookie base.
11. Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies blend classic chocolate chips with crunchy hazelnuts for a delightful fall treat. You’ll love the rich, nutty flavor combined with gooey chocolate.
To make them, mix flour, oats, and butter. Add in chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips.
Scoop the dough onto baking sheets and bake at 325°F for about 15 minutes.
The result is a perfect balance of textures. The cookies are crisp on the edges and soft in the middle. The hazelnuts add a toasty crunch, while the chocolate chips provide pockets of sweetness.
12. Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan pie bars are a delicious twist on the classic pie. They’re easier to make and perfect for sharing.
To make these treats, start with a simple shortbread crust. Press it into a baking pan and bake until lightly golden.
While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. Mix sugar, corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour and salt, then whisk until smooth.
Pour the filling over the warm crust. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
Bake until the filling is set and the pecans are toasted.
Let the bars cool completely before cutting. They’ll keep well for several days, making them great for holiday gatherings or gift-giving.
13. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
You’ll love these pumpkin cheesecake cookies for fall. They combine two favorite desserts into one tasty treat.
To make them, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, and spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Fold in pumpkin puree that’s been blotted to remove excess moisture. This keeps the cookies from getting too soft.
Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake until lightly golden. Let cool, then top with a sweet cream cheese frosting for that cheesecake flavor.
These cookies are perfect for autumn gatherings or just enjoying with a warm cup of tea on a cool day.
14. Butterscotch Walnut Cookies
Butterscotch walnut cookies are a tasty fall treat. You’ll love the rich, sweet flavor of butterscotch mixed with crunchy walnuts.
To make these cookies, start by creaming butter and sugars. Add vanilla and egg, then mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in butterscotch chips and chopped walnuts.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool before enjoying.
These cookies have a chewy texture and nutty crunch. The butterscotch adds a warm, caramel-like sweetness perfect for autumn.
15. S’mores Cookies
S’mores cookies bring campfire flavors to your kitchen. These treats combine graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows in cookie form.
To make them, mix butter, sugar, and pumpkin puree. Add flour, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in graham cracker pieces and chocolate chips.
Shape the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet. Press a marshmallow into each cookie before baking.
Bake at 350°F until golden brown. The marshmallows will melt and get gooey. Let cool before eating to enjoy the full s’mores experience.
These cookies are perfect for fall gatherings or cozy nights at home. You’ll love the mix of flavors and textures in every bite.
Baking Techniques for Fall Cookies
Fall cookies need special baking methods to get the right flavors and textures. You can make tasty autumn treats by picking good ingredients and using the right techniques.
Selecting the Right Ingredients
Pick fresh spices for the best fall flavors. Ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg lose their kick over time.
Buy whole spices and grind them yourself for more punch. Use real butter instead of margarine for richer cookies. Choose dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses taste in your treats.
For pumpkin cookies, canned puree works well. But you can also roast and puree fresh pumpkin for a more natural flavor. Apple cookies taste great with tart varieties like Granny Smith. Dried cranberries add a nice tang to oatmeal cookies.
Perfecting Texture and Flavor
Chill your cookie dough before baking. This helps cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading.
For chewy cookies, take them out of the oven when the edges are set but the middles are still soft. They’ll finish cooking on the hot baking sheet.
Add depth to your fall cookies with mix-ins. Chopped nuts give a nice crunch. Try pecans in pumpkin cookies or walnuts with apple.
A sprinkle of sea salt on top balances sweet flavors. For extra fall flair, roll sugar cookies in colored sugar before baking.
Don’t overbake your cookies. They should be lightly golden at the edges. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Seasonal Flavors Explored
Fall cookies celebrate the tastes of autumn. Spices and fruits take center stage in these recipes.
Understanding Spice Blends
Spice blends give fall cookies their warm, comforting flavors. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are common choices.
You can mix these with allspice or cloves for depth.
Try using pumpkin pie spice for an easy shortcut. It combines several fall spices in one mix. For a twist, add cardamom or star anise to your blend.
Adjust spice amounts to suit your taste. Start with small amounts and taste as you go. Remember that spices can become stronger as cookies cool.
Incorporating Autumn Fruits
Fall fruits add natural sweetness and moisture to cookies.
Apples are a classic choice. You can use them fresh, dried, or as applesauce.
Pears work well too. They give cookies a subtle flavor and soft texture.
For a tart option, try cranberries. They add bright pops of color and flavor.
Don’t forget about pumpkin. Canned pumpkin puree is easy to use in cookie dough. It pairs well with chocolate chips or nuts.
When using fresh fruit, chop it finely. This helps distribute the flavor evenly.
Pat fruit dry to prevent excess moisture in your dough.