14 Easy Thanksgiving Cookie Recipes for 2025!

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

What’s better than Thanksgiving dinner? Thanksgiving dessert—and especially cookies! Whether you’re team pumpkin, team apple, or team chocolate (I’ll be honest, I’m unashamedly on all of the teams), these 14 Thanksgiving cookie recipes will bring a little extra sweetness and joy to your holiday table. From warm spiced flavors to ooey-gooey goodness, this cookie roundup has something for everyone. They’re perfect for enjoying on Thanksgiving morning when you’re planning the rest of the festivities and getting your main meal under way, or you can serve them as part of a dessert table and invite everyone to help themselves to whatever they fancy. Let’s get started…  

1. Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

iced pumpkin oatmeal cookies

These Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are like fall in every bite. Soft, chewy, and loaded with pumpkin flavor, they’re topped with a sweet glaze that makes them irresistible. So good after a Thanksgiving meal, and perfect for gifting too! 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • For the icing: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream the butter and brown sugar together. Mix in the pumpkin and vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until combined.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  6. Mix the icing ingredients and drizzle over the cooled cookies.

2. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for thanksgiving

The classic chocolate chip cookie gets a Thanksgiving twist with pumpkin and warm spices. These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, gooey, and loaded with chocolate chips – so delicious, and perfect with your favorite hot drink! 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream the butter, sugars, and pumpkin together until smooth.
  3. Mix in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  4. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  5. Drop by spoonfuls onto the baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.

3. Butter Pecan Cookies

butter pecan cookies

If you love the nutty, caramelized flavor of pecans, these Butter Pecan Cookies will be your new favorite. They’re rich, buttery, and perfect for Thanksgiving. The crunch is everything! 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream the butter and sugars together until fluffy.
  3. Stir in vanilla extract, then add the flour and salt.
  4. Fold in the toasted pecans.
  5. Roll the dough into small balls and place on the baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.

4. Salted Caramel Cookies

salted caramel cookies

Sweet and salty heaven in every bite! These Salted Caramel Cookies are gooey on the inside, with a sprinkle of sea salt on top to balance the sweetness. These are probably my personal favorites, and I could definitely eat more than a couple! 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup caramel bits
  • Sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream the butter and sugars together until smooth.
  3. Stir in the flour and baking soda.
  4. Fold in the caramel bits.
  5. Roll dough into balls, place on baking sheet, and lightly flatten.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt while warm.

5. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

cranberry oatmeal cookies

These Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies are chewy, tart, and just a little sweet—the perfect fall treat that brings all the cozy vibes. A little cinnamon spice really brings the flavors together. 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
  3. Stir in oats, flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
  4. Fold in dried cranberries.
  5. Scoop dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

6. Pumpkin Pie Cookies

pumpkin pie cookies

These Pumpkin Pie Cookies combine all the flavors of a classic pumpkin pie but in cookie form. Perfect for those who can’t wait until dessert for a slice of pie!

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix pumpkin, sugars, butter, and spices.
  3. Stir in flour and baking soda until combined.
  4. Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

7. S’mores Cookies

smores cookies

Gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers—all the flavors of a campfire s’more but in cookie form. These S’mores Cookies are a real crowd-pleaser! I always feel like they serve up some nostalgic vibes, perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings with families. 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
  3. Stir in flour and baking soda.
  4. Fold in chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham crackers.
  5. Scoop dough onto baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

8. Apple Butter Cookies

apple butter cookies

These Apple Butter Cookies are soft, lightly spiced, and full of warm apple flavor. They’re perfect for fall and Thanksgiving!

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup apple butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter, apple butter, and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Stir in flour, cinnamon, and baking soda.
  4. Roll dough into balls, place on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes.

9. Pumpkin Thumbprint Cookies

pumpkin thumbprint cookies

These Pumpkin Thumbprint Cookies feature a spiced pumpkin filling nestled in a buttery cookie. The perfect bite-sized treat for Thanksgiving dessert tables! Like a mini pumpkin pie in every bite. 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla extract together.
  3. Stir in flour until a soft dough forms. Roll into balls and press a thumbprint in the center of each.
  4. Mix pumpkin, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and fill the thumbprints.
  5. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

10. Cinnamon Roll Cookies

cinnamon roll cookies

These Cinnamon Roll Cookies are swirled with cinnamon-sugar goodness, just like the breakfast treat, but in a cookie! These are a great choice for baking on Thanksgiving morning. Your home will smell DELICIOUS, and your family will definitely thank you! 

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  3. Stir in flour and baking powder.
  4. Roll the dough into a rectangle, sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar, and roll into a log.
  5. Slice into cookies and bake for 10-12 minutes.

11. Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

chocolate gingerbread cookies

Rich chocolate and warm gingerbread spices come together to create the perfect festive cookie in these Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies.

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter, sugar, and molasses until smooth.
  3. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, and spices.
  4. Scoop dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

12. Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies

A fall twist on the classic snickerdoodle, these Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies are soft, chewy, and coated in cinnamon sugar.

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon sugar (for coating)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter, sugars, and pumpkin until smooth.
  3. Stir in flour and baking soda.
  4. Roll dough into balls, coat with cinnamon sugar, and bake for 10-12 minutes.

13. Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread

cranberry pistachio shortbread

These Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread cookies are buttery, crumbly, and studded with tart cranberries and crunchy pistachios.

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugar together.
  3. Stir in flour, cranberries, and pistachios.
  4. Form the dough into a log, slice, and bake for 12-14 minutes.

14. Apple Cinnamon Cookies

apple cinnamon cookies

These Apple Cinnamon Cookies are soft, spiced, and filled with chunks of sweet apple. They’re like a mini apple pie in cookie form!

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup diced apple (peeled)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugars together until fluffy.
  3. Stir in flour, cinnamon, and baking soda.
  4. Fold in diced apple.
  5. Scoop dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

These 14 delicious and fun Thanksgiving cookie recipes will make your dessert table the talk of the holiday. Whether you’re into pumpkin, apple, or rich chocolatey flavors, these cookies will satisfy every sweet tooth around the table. Which ones will you be making this Thanksgiving?