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55 Best Fall Cookies for the Sweetest Baking Season
All made with flavors like pumpkin, maple, and cinnamon!
By Erin Cavoto
With the first day of autumn right around the corner, we're getting excited for all things fall. The air will get crisper, the days will get shorter, and we'll start to reach for our favorite fall recipes. Of course, baking is a big part of the season, too. From back-to-school bake sales to holiday potlucks, there always seems to be a reason to break out the cookie sheets. That's why we’ve rounded up the best fall cookies to put on repeat this season. And with flavors like pumpkin and apple-cinnamon, these seasonal cookies feel just like a warm hug.
If you're new to baking, we've got you covered! There are plenty of easy fall cookie recipes like pumpkin snickerdoodles or iced oatmeal cookies. From there, you may feel like branching out to practice your decorating skills—grab a pastry bag and try Ree Drummond's cowboy boot gingerbread cookies or the spiced cut-out cookies that look like pumpkins. Whether you're looking for a Thanksgiving treat or you simply want to add some new fall desserts to the mix, these seasonal cookies are just the thing to make your home smell warm and sweet.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
The combination of warm, spiced pumpkin and melty chocolate chips makes these cookies the ultimate fall comfort food. They're a classic with an autumnal twist!
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Yes, you can make this nostalgic lunchbox treat at home—and they're oh-so good! They're meltingly soft, full of spice, and topped with a lusciously sweet and simple glaze.
Get the Iced Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Caramel Apple Cookies
Granny Smith apples and warm spices? Sign us up! These cookies are loaded with tasty mix-ins that make them perfect for fall.
Get the Caramel Apple Cookies recipe.
Football Cookies
Fall isn't just baking season, it's also football season! So why not combine the two for your Friday Night Lights.
Get the Football Cookies recipe.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with nutty flavor. But we especially love the salty-sweet addition of flaky sea salt on top. It's chef's kiss-good!
Candy Corn Cookies
This might just be the easiest Halloween cookie around. The base is a simple white chocolate chip cookie, then you just top it off with seasonal candy corn!
Get the Candy Corn Cookies recipe.
Cowboy Cookies
This riff on the classic chocolate chip cookie is even heartier thanks to the addition of chopped pecans, coconut flakes, and oats. But it's the salted butter that really makes them so unique.
Get the Cowboy Cookies recipe.
Peanut Butter Cookie
Remember this simple cookie as a kid? To get that classic crosshatch, we like to use a potato masher for the crisscross pattern.
Get the Peanut Butter Cookie recipe.
Apple Pie Cookies
These cookies are like adorable mini apple pies. You'll make the apple pie filling from scratch but the pie dough can simply be the store-bought kind.
Get Ree's Apple Pie Cookies recipe.
Carrot Cake Cookies
Just like traditional carrot cake, these cookies have plenty of warm spices and a cream cheese frosting that's sweet and tangy. Top them off with sprinkles or toasted walnuts depending on your preferences.
Get the Carrot Cake Cookies recipe.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
You can top these chewy peanut butter cookies with your favorite flavor of Hershey's Kisses—dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even caramel-filled kisses would be delicious.
Get the Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe.
Rugelach
Whether you make these cookies for the Jewish holidays or just an after-school snack, you can't go wrong with the combination of flaky pastry dough and warm cinnamon spices.
Get the Rugelach recipe.
Brookies
If you always have a hard time deciding between cookies and brownies, this recipe is for you! Make them ahead and store in the freezer for whenever the craving strikes.
Get the Brookies recipe.
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
If you're busy baking casseroles and roasted squash this fall, consider a no-bake cookie that will save you time and oven space. These oatmeal cookies are a great place to start!
Hot Chocolate Cookies
The only thing better than cozying up with a warm mug of cocoa is whipping up these freshly baked cookies made with hot chocolate mix! They even have the melty marshmallow topping.
Get Ree's Hot Chocolate Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
We've upgraded this classic cinnamon-sugar cookie by giving it an autumnal spin. There's pumpkin puree in the cookie dough and pumpkin pie spice added to the crackly sugar coating.
Get the Pumpkin Snickerdoodles recipe.
Spider Cookies
Baking these creepy, crawly treats is a fun Halloween activity for the whole family, but what's more? The candy-topped peanut butter cookies are delicious to eat too!
Get the Spider Cookies recipe.
Pecan Sandies
Unbelievably buttery and packed with nuts—these pecan cookies would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table.
Get the Pecan Sandies recipe.
Almond-Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
A dollop of raspberry jam is just enough to give these almond cookies a hint of fruity sweetness. But if you want to take it up a notch—dust the cookies with powdered sugar!
Get Ree's Almond-Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies recipe.
Orange Shortbread Cookies
You can make these citrusy shortbread cookies in advance. Just roll the cookie dough into a log and refrigerate overnight. It's a great make-ahead recipe for parties!
Get the Orange Shortbread Cookies recipe.
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