10 Best Recipes for Fall Cookies

As the leaves start to turn and the air becomes crisp, there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cookies to welcome the fall season. With its warm spices, rich flavors, and seasonal ingredients, autumn is the perfect time to indulge in some cozy baking. Below are ten detailed recipes for fall cookies that will make your home smell heavenly and your taste buds sing.

1. Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
8. Let cool on a wire rack and enjoy! Optional: drizzle with cream cheese frosting for added sweetness.

2. Maple Pecan Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until well mixed.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Stir in the chopped pecans.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
9. Let cool on a wire rack before serving.

3. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup finely chopped apple (preferably tart varieties like Granny Smith)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
6. Stir in the oats and chopped apples until evenly distributed.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden and set.
9. Let cool on a wire rack before enjoying the warm, comforting flavors of fall.

4. Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• Additional cinnamon sugar for rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and spices.
5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
6. Roll the dough into small balls, then roll each ball in cinnamon sugar.
7. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden.
9. Let cool on a wire rack before indulging in these aromatic cookies.

5. Cranberry Orange Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the egg, orange zest, and orange juice until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in the dried cranberries.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
9. Let cool on a wire rack, then enjoy the bright, tangy flavor of these fall-inspired cookies.

6. Ginger Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Additional granulated sugar for rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the molasses and egg until well mixed.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Roll the dough into small balls, then roll each ball in granulated sugar.
7. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops crack and the edges are firm.
9. Let cool on a wire rack before enjoying these rich, spiced cookies.

7. Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns a golden brown color and smells nutty. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the brown butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. Fold in the toasted pecans.
8. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
10. Let cool on a wire rack, then enjoy the rich, nutty flavor of these autumnal cookies.

8. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
9. Let cool on a wire rack before enjoying these soft and flavorful cookies.

9. Caramel Apple Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dried apples
• 12 soft caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a dough forms.
5. Stir in the chopped dried apples.
6. Roll the dough into small balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb to press a small indent in the center of each cookie.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
8. While the cookies are baking, melt the caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
9. Once the cookies are out of the oven, spoon a small amount of the caramel mixture into the center of each cookie.
10. Let cool on a wire rack before serving these delightful fall treats.

10. Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Additional sugar for rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until well mixed.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Roll the dough into small balls, then roll each ball in sugar.
7. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
9. Let cool on a wire rack before enjoying the warm, spiced flavor of these fall cookies.

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These recipes offer a delightful variety of flavors, textures, and aromas that are perfect for fall. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a cozy night in, or just because, these cookies will surely bring the warmth and comfort of autumn into your kitchen. Happy baking!