Festive Oven Magic: 15 Irresistible Thanksgiving Cookie Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday

15 Delicious Thanksgiving Cookies To Make for Your Family on Thanksgiving

Introduction

Elevate your Thanksgiving dessert spread with cookies that encapsulate the cozy flavors of fall. These 15 Thanksgiving cookie recipes deliver not only festive flair but also the sweet simplicity every holiday host craves. From spiced classics to creative twists featuring pumpkin, cranberry, and maple, these cookies are guaranteed to delight both kids and adults at the table.

Why Make Thanksgiving Cookies?

Cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser­—easy to share, simple to make, and versatile enough to suit every taste. They offer bite-sized indulgence without the fuss of slicing pies and are perfect for gifting or decorating together as a family. Bake a batch (or five!) and watch these cookies vanish faster than the turkey!

15 Thanksgiving Cookie Recipes for Gathering and Gifting

Below you’ll find the best cookies to bake for Thanksgiving, each embracing fall flavors and festivity. Choose a couple to showcase on your dessert table, or make them all for a stunning Thanksgiving cookie platter.

Ingredients

1. Pumpkin Spice Cookies – Pumpkin purée, cinnamon, and nutmeg
2. Maple Pecan Cookies – Maple syrup, chopped pecans
3. Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies – Dried cranberries, rolled oats
4. Apple Cider Cookies – Apple cider, cinnamon
5. Molasses Ginger Cookies – Molasses, ginger, cloves
6. Sweet Potato Cookies – Mashed sweet potato, brown sugar
7. Brown Butter Pecan Cookies – Browned butter, toasted pecans
8. Snickerdoodle Cookies – Cream of tartar, cinnamon sugar coating
9. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies – Pumpkin purée, chocolate chips
10. Chai-Spiced Shortbread – Chai tea, ground cardamom, cinnamon
11. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies – White chocolate chips, dried cranberries
12. Caramel Stuffed Apple Cookies – Soft caramels, apple pieces
13. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – Old-fashioned oats, plump raisins
14. Maple Glazed Sugar Cookies – Maple glaze, leaf-shaped cookie cutters
15. Almond Cranberry Biscotti – Chopped almonds, dried cranberries

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe collection to automatically generate a master shopping list. CookifyAI organizes all your ingredients by store section, making Thanksgiving grocery trips stress-free and efficient!

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Choose your favorite cookie recipe(s) from the list above and gather the required ingredients for each. Many rely on pantry staples, which streamlines shopping.
  2. Preheat your oven according to the specific recipe instructions (typically 350°F).
  3. Prepare the dough as directed—most recipes require blending butter and sugar, adding wet ingredients (like pumpkin or sweet potato), then folding in dry ingredients and mix-ins.
  4. Scoop cookie dough onto lined baking sheets, leaving room between cookies for spreading.
  5. Bake cookies according to their recipe’s suggested time (usually 10–14 minutes), or until lightly golden and set.
  6. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then move them to a rack to cool completely.
  7. Optionally, decorate with icing, a dusting of powdered sugar, or festive sprinkles for extra holiday charm.

Weekly Meal Planning

Thanksgiving can get busy fast, especially when you’re juggling multiple recipes. Save and schedule these cookie recipes with CookifyAI. Easily map out your baking schedule, avoid ingredient overlap, and generate a single, beautifully organized shopping list for your entire holiday menu.

Planning Benefits:

  • Calculates exactly how much of each ingredient you need across all cookie recipes.
  • Groups grocery items by aisle for streamlined shopping—goodbye backtracking!
  • Prevents repetitive purchases or missing key ingredients on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Makes family baking sessions smoother and more enjoyable.

Pro tip: For a seamless Thanksgiving prep, schedule your treats along with your savory dishes and let CookifyAI manage your shopping planning and prep!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: Most cookies take 15–25 minutes to prepare
Cook/Bake Time: 10–14 minutes per batch
Total Time: About 45 minutes per recipe (varies by cookie and decorations)

Thanksgiving Cookie Recap

Bake these 15 delicious Thanksgiving cookies for a beautiful, festive dessert display. With a range of autumn-inspired flavors and simple step-by-step instructions, your family will love these small bites of holiday cheer—and you’ll love how easy the planning and prep can be!

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