20 Best Thanksgiving Cookies
Introduction
When it comes to Thanksgiving desserts, pies often steal the spotlight—but a fresh plate of cookies can bring just as much joy to your holiday table. The 20 Best Thanksgiving Cookies featured here embody the cozy flavors of fall, from spiced pumpkin and hearty oatmeal to maple glaze and apple butter. With their inviting aromas and easy-to-share portions, these cookies guarantee an irresistible treat for guests of all ages, turning your dessert spread into a crowd-pleasing highlight.
Why These Are the Best Thanksgiving Cookies
Every cookie on this list combines classic holiday flavors with approachable baking techniques. Whether you’re seeking a soft and chewy ginger cookie, a festive cranberry pistachio biscotti, or a decadent caramel-stuffed chocolate cookie, you’ll find a variety to suit every palate and occasion. These cookies are designed for flavor, simplicity, and guaranteed popularity—perfect for festive gatherings, edible gifts, or even a cozy night in with a mug of cider.
Create Your Own Cookie Assortment
Consider baking a combination of the following crowd favorites to create a visually stunning Thanksgiving cookie platter:
– Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
– Maple Pecan Shortbread
– Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
– Apple Butter Thumbprints
– Gingersnap Cookies
– Soft Molasses Cookies
– Pecan Pie Bars (cookie-style)
– Caramel-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
– Brown Butter Sugar Cookies
– Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies
– White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
– Sweet Potato Cookies
– Spiced Almond Biscotti
– Cinnamon Roll Cookies
– Bourbon Pecan Cookies
– Salted Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
– Maple Sandwich Cookies
– Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
– Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti
– S’mores Cookies (with a hint of spice for fall)
How to Plan Your Thanksgiving Cookie Baking
To make the process easier, choose 4-5 recipes to bake in advance. Prepare doughs that can be refrigerated or frozen, such as molasses or pumpkin doughs, and save easy mix-and-drop recipes for last-minute baking. If gifting cookies, opt for sturdy varieties like biscotti, pecan bars, and shortbread, which travel well and stay fresh longer.
Ingredients (Sample Shopping List for Assorted Thanksgiving Cookies)
Here’s a sample combined ingredient list based on the most popular cookies from above:
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save these cookie recipes to automatically generate an organized shopping list, sorted by store section—making your Thanksgiving grocery run quick and easy, and ensuring no ingredient gets left behind.
Instructions (Basic Method, Adaptable to Most Thanksgiving Cookies)
- Preheat oven to the required temperature as per your chosen recipe (usually 350°F).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter with sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract (add pumpkin, apple butter, or maple syrup where called for).
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit as indicated by your selected cookie recipe.
- Chill dough for at least 30 minutes if required for your recipe (especially important for cookies with a high butter content or soft doughs like molasses).
- Scoop or roll the dough onto lined baking sheets, spacing according to the recipe. For thumbprint or bar cookies, follow specific shaping instructions.
- Bake until edges are golden and centers are just set. Let cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
- Store cookies in airtight containers. Many varieties can be frozen for up to one month.
Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Cookie Platter
Arrange a selection of 4-5 types of cookies on a large board, adding fresh or dried fruit, chocolate pieces, or spiced nuts for variety. For an extra festive touch, lightly dust cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze just before serving.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
A basic serving is designated as 2 cookies, averaging 150-250 calories per serving depending on the recipe and mix-ins. These recipes provide dessert indulgence and carry the warm flavors of fall with every bite.
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Cookie Recap
From spiced molasses cookies to gooey caramel-filled delights, these 20 best Thanksgiving cookies combine all the warmth and comfort of the season in every bite. With an array of colors, flavors, and textures, your cookie selection will be extra memorable this holiday.
Weekly Meal Planning
Planning a Thanksgiving feast? Cookies are a smart make-ahead dessert. Save and schedule your favorite cookie recipes for strategic baking in the days leading up to your celebration. Automatically generate consolidated shopping lists and view ingredient overlaps to make bulk purchases efficient and reduce last-minute store trips.
Planning Benefits:
- Recipe scheduling for advanced prep
- Smart shopping lists that merge ingredients across all selected cookies
- Shopping lists organized by grocery sections for fewer missed items
- Reduces food waste and supports efficient planning for holiday cooking
- See exactly how much flour, sugar, eggs, or spices you’ll need for the big bake day
Pro tip: Use CookifyAI’s planner to coordinate every aspect of your Thanksgiving meal, from starters to dessert, maximizing organization and minimizing stress.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 25-45 minutes per recipe (can prepare doughs in advance)
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes per batch
Cool/Decorate Time: 10-20 minutes
Total Time: Varies based on assortment and batch size; allow 2-3 hours for a multi-cookie bake-a-thon (including cooling and decorating)
Enjoy baking and sharing the 20 best Thanksgiving cookies—your guests will remember them long after the last crumb is gone!
