From pumpkin spice to apple cinnamon, fall flavors add a special touch to classic cookie recipes.
You can try 15 tasty fall cookie recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth this season. These treats blend seasonal ingredients with timeless cookie favorites.
Whether you want a snack for yourself or goodies to share, fall cookies are sure to please.
Get ready to fill your home with the comforting aroma of autumn baking.
Pumpkin spice cookies are a must-have fall treat. They combine the warm flavors of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger with sweet pumpkin.
To make these cookies, you’ll cream butter and sugar, then add pumpkin puree and spices. Mix in flour and other dry ingredients to form the dough.
Scoop the dough onto baking sheets and bake until golden brown.
For extra indulgence, top your cookies with cream cheese frosting or a maple glaze.
These soft, chewy cookies capture the essence of autumn in every bite. They’re perfect for cozy evenings or as a festive addition to your holiday cookie platter.
Cranberry orange biscotti bring a taste of fall to your cookie jar. These crunchy treats are perfect for dunking in coffee or tea.
To make them, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, butter, orange zest, and dried cranberries. Shape the dough into logs and bake until lightly golden.
After cooling, slice the logs diagonally. Bake the slices again until crisp. This double-baking gives biscotti their signature crunch.
The tangy cranberries and bright orange flavor pair wonderfully with the crisp cookie base. You can drizzle them with white chocolate for extra sweetness if you like.
Apple cider snickerdoodles are a tasty fall twist on a classic cookie. To make them, you’ll need to reduce apple cider into a syrup. This concentrated flavor adds a delicious apple kick.
Mix the reduced cider into a classic snickerdoodle dough with butter, sugar, and spices. Chill the dough before scooping and rolling in cinnamon sugar.
Bake the cookies until they’re lightly golden and crackled on top.
The result is a soft, chewy cookie with warm apple and cinnamon notes. These treats are perfect for cool autumn days with a cup of hot cider or tea.
Salted caramel thumbprints are a delicious fall treat. These cookies combine buttery shortbread with gooey caramel and a hint of salt.
To make them, you’ll create a simple shortbread dough. Press your thumb into each cookie to form a small well. After baking, fill the wells with homemade or store-bought caramel.
Sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top for that perfect sweet-salty balance. The result is a cookie that’s crisp on the outside and soft in the middle.
These thumbprints are perfect for holiday cookie swaps or as an after-dinner dessert. You can even add a drizzle of chocolate for extra decadence.
Chai tea cookies bring warm, spicy flavors to your fall baking. These treats blend the comforting taste of chai with classic sugar cookies.
To make them, mix chai tea leaves into your cookie dough. You can use loose tea or open a tea bag. The spices give the cookies a unique flavor and aroma.
The dough often includes butter, sugar, flour, and eggs. Some recipes add extra cinnamon or cardamom for more spice. Chill the dough before baking to help the cookies keep their shape.
Bake until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool before enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.
Brown butter toffee cookies are a tasty fall treat. To make them, you’ll brown butter in a skillet until it smells nutty. This gives the cookies a rich flavor.
Mix the browned butter with sugar, eggs, and vanilla. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Stir in chocolate chips and toffee pieces. The dough may seem dry at first, but keep mixing. Scoop the dough onto lined baking sheets.
Bake the cookies at 350°F until golden brown. Let them cool before eating. These cookies are crispy on the outside and chewy inside.
Cinnamon sugar palmiers are a delightful fall cookie. You can make these crispy, sweet treats easily with puff pastry.
Spread a mix of cinnamon and sugar on your work surface. Unroll the puff pastry onto it. Add more cinnamon sugar on top of the pastry.
Roll both sides of the pastry toward the center to create the classic palmier shape. Chill the rolled dough for 30 minutes.
Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch pieces. Bake at 375°F for about 12 minutes until golden and crisp. The sugar will caramelize, giving a satisfying crunch.
These cookies are perfect for fall with their warm cinnamon flavor. They’re great with coffee or tea on cool autumn days.
S’mores stuffed cookies bring the campfire favorite indoors. You’ll love these gooey treats that combine chocolate chip cookies with marshmallows and graham crackers.
To make them, start with a basic chocolate chip cookie dough. Add crushed graham crackers to the mix for extra flavor and texture.
When forming the cookies, place a piece of chocolate and marshmallow in the center. Wrap the dough around the filling completely.
Bake the cookies until golden brown. The marshmallow will melt inside, creating a gooey center. Sprinkle some sea salt on top for a nice flavor contrast.
These cookies are perfect for fall gatherings or anytime you want a taste of summer nostalgia. Enjoy them warm for the full s’mores experience.
Pecan pie bars are a delicious fall treat that’s easier to make than traditional pecan pie. You’ll love these gooey, nutty squares.
To make them, start with a simple shortbread crust. Press it into a baking pan and bake until lightly golden.
While the crust bakes, mix up the filling. Combine corn syrup, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add chopped pecans and pour over the hot crust.
Bake again until the filling sets. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. You can store these at room temperature for a few days or freeze for longer.
Oatmeal raisin cookies are a classic fall treat. To make them, you’ll cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Then add eggs, vanilla, and molasses, mixing well.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir in oats and raisins last.
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet. Bake at 375°F until golden brown. These cookies turn out soft and chewy, with a perfect balance of spices and sweetness.
Spiced pumpkin sandwich cookies are a tasty fall treat. These cookies combine pumpkin puree with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
To make them, mix pumpkin puree into a basic cookie dough. Add pumpkin pie spice for extra flavor. Bake the cookies until just set, then let them cool completely.
For the filling, whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and a dash of cinnamon. Spread this mixture between two cookies to create sandwiches.
You can customize these cookies by adding chocolate chips to the dough or rolling the edges in chopped nuts. They’re perfect for autumn gatherings or as an after-school snack.
These cookies blend the rich flavors of bourbon and maple for a tasty fall treat. You’ll love the warm, cozy taste in every bite.
The cookie dough uses butter, sugar, and flour as a base. Add maple syrup and a splash of bourbon for extra flavor.
For the creamy filling, mix butter with powdered sugar and more maple syrup. A touch of bourbon gives it a grown-up twist.
Sandwich the maple cream between two cookies. The result is a sweet, boozy cookie perfect for chilly autumn days.
Enjoy these with a hot cup of coffee or as an after-dinner treat. They’re sure to become a new fall favorite.
The Science Behind Perfect Fall Cookies
Creating delicious fall cookies involves careful ingredient selection and baking methods. Let’s explore the key factors that make your autumn treats irresistible.
The Role of Ingredients
Flour forms the base of your cookies. All-purpose flour works well, but whole wheat adds a nutty flavor perfect for fall.
Sugar affects texture and sweetness. Brown sugar makes cookies chewy and moist. White sugar creates crisp edges.
Eggs act as a binder and add moisture. For vegan options, try applesauce or mashed banana.
Butter gives cookies a rich taste and helps them spread. For dairy-free, use coconut oil or margarine.
Spices are crucial for fall flavors. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger add warmth. Vanilla extract enhances other flavors.
Add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips provide texture and taste.
Baking Techniques
Creaming butter and sugar creates air pockets for a lighter texture. Don’t overmix once you add flour – this can make cookies tough.
Chilling dough before baking helps prevent spreading. It also deepens flavors.
For even baking, use a cookie scoop or spoon to make uniform sizes.
Oven temperature is key. Most cookies bake at 350°F (175°C). For chewy cookies, take them out when edges are set but centers look underbaked. They’ll continue cooking as they cool.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This helps them set without breaking. Then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Best Practices For Storing Fall Cookies
Storing fall cookies properly keeps them fresh and tasty. The right methods help you enjoy your treats for longer.
Proper Storage Containers
Use airtight containers to store your fall cookies. This keeps them from getting stale or absorbing odors.
Glass or plastic containers work well. Make sure the lid seals tightly.
Put wax paper between layers of cookies. This stops them from sticking together.
For soft cookies, add a slice of bread to the container. The bread helps keep the cookies moist.
Label your containers with the cookie type and date. This helps you track freshness.
Keep containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Freezing Tips
Freezing is great for long-term cookie storage. Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Then put them in a freezer bag or container.
Squeeze out extra air to prevent freezer burn.
Freeze cookies in small batches. This makes it easy to thaw only what you need.
Most cookies stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To thaw, take cookies out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature. This takes about 1-2 hours.
Don’t unwrap them until they’re fully thawed. This keeps moisture from making them soggy.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
