When people think of Thanksgiving desserts, pie usually takes the spotlight.
But cookies can be just as festive and satisfying—and sometimes even more practical. They’re easy to make in batches, simple to transport, and versatile enough to please both kids and adults.
These Thanksgiving cookie recipes bring warmth, tradition, and creativity straight to your holiday table.
1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft and chewy with a hint of spice, these cookies bring together the earthy sweetness of pumpkin and the richness of chocolate chips. They’re the perfect way to highlight classic fall flavors without being too heavy after a big meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and both sugars until fluffy, then add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, spice, baking soda, and salt. Stir into the wet mixture until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
How to Serve
Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk or coffee. These cookies also make great additions to holiday cookie platters.
2. Pecan Pie Cookies
Think of these as handheld pecan pies—sweet, nutty, and buttery. Each bite delivers the caramelized crunch of pecans in a soft cookie base.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup corn syrup or golden syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust or shortbread dough
Instructions
- Roll out pie crust or press shortbread dough onto a baking sheet and bake lightly until golden.
- In a saucepan, combine pecans, brown sugar, butter, and syrup. Cook until thickened and glossy, then stir in vanilla.
- Spoon the filling onto baked bases.
- Bake again until the topping bubbles and sets.
How to Serve
Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve with a warm cup of coffee or bourbon-spiked cider. These make wonderful treats for after-dinner mingling.
3. Apple Pie Cookies
These cookies capture the cozy flavor of apple pie in a bite-sized treat. With tender apple chunks and warm spices, they’re as comforting as a slice of pie but far less fussy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped apples (peeled)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and spices in a separate bowl. Combine with the wet mixture.
- Fold in apples.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough and bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
How to Serve
Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. They pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream or caramel drizzle.
4. Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
These cookies balance tart dried cranberries with the crunch of pistachios, making them colorful, festive, and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pistachios
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add egg, vanilla, and zest.
- Stir in flour until combined, then fold in cranberries and pistachios.
- Scoop onto lined baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes.
How to Serve
These cookies are great for gifting in jars or tins. They also add a pop of color to your Thanksgiving dessert table.
5. Sweet Potato Cookies
Moist and spiced, these cookies make use of mashed sweet potatoes for natural sweetness and a tender texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed sweet potato
- ½ cup butter or oil
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup peanut butter chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix sweet potato, sugar, egg, and butter until smooth.
- Stir in flour, baking soda, and spices.
- Add peanut butter chips if using.
- Drop by spoonfuls and bake for 12–15 minutes.
How to Serve
Serve warm alongside chai or spiced tea. They make a hearty afternoon snack.
6. Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies
A fun, no-bake treat shaped like turkeys. These cookies are especially great for keeping kids entertained during Thanksgiving prep.
Ingredients
- Nutter Butter cookies
- Chocolate frosting
- Candy corn
- Candy eyes
Instructions
- Spread frosting over one side of each cookie.
- Press candy eyes into place and arrange candy corn on top as “feathers.”
- Let it sit until the frosting sets.
How to Serve
Serve these on a platter at the kids’ table or use them as edible decorations around your Thanksgiving spread.
7. Oreo Turkey Cookies
Another playful cookie that transforms Oreos into adorable turkey-themed treats.
Ingredients
- Oreo cookies
- Candy corn
- Candy eyes
- Chocolate frosting
Instructions
- Use frosting to attach candy eyes to each Oreo.
- Stick candy corn into the filling to resemble feathers.
- Let it set before serving.
How to Serve
Place them around the dessert table to add festive cheer. They’re always a conversation starter.
8. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
These sandwich-style cookies are soft, fluffy, and filled with a decadent frosting. They taste like a bakery-quality dessert and will impress guests.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 2 cups flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup oil
- 2 eggs
- For frosting: cream cheese, butter, caramel sauce, sea salt
Instructions
- Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, and sugar.
- Combine dry ingredients separately, then add to the wet mixture.
- Drop spoonfuls on baking sheets and bake until soft and springy.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter, then add caramel and salt.
- Sandwich frosting between cooled cookies.
How to Serve
Chill before serving to let the flavors meld. These are rich enough to stand in for pie on the dessert table.
9. Pecan Tassies
Mini pecan pies in cookie form, with flaky crusts and gooey nutty centers.
Ingredients
- Mini pie crusts
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Line mini muffin tins with pie crusts.
- Mix pecans, sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla.
- Fill crusts with mixture and bake until set.
How to Serve
Serve warm with whipped cream or on a cookie tray. They’re small, elegant, and perfect for guests who just want a bite of something sweet.
10. Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
Buttery and crumbly with bursts of tart cranberry, these cookies are melt-in-your-mouth treats that feel festive and refined.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Mix in flour, then fold in cranberries.
- Shape into logs, chill, slice, and bake until edges turn golden.
How to Serve
Arrange on a platter with hot tea or coffee. They also make excellent gifts packaged in tins.
11. Chewy Pumpkin Cookies
These cookies are soft, moist, and packed with pumpkin spice flavor—simple yet deeply comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Cream butter with sugars, then beat in egg, pumpkin, and vanilla.
- Mix dry ingredients and add to the wet mixture.
- Scoop dough and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
How to Serve
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or glaze lightly with vanilla icing. These cookies are best enjoyed with a warm drink.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be all about pies. Cookies offer variety, creativity, and convenience—whether you’re baking ahead, setting out a dessert spread, or keeping kids happy with playful treats.
From the elegance of cranberry shortbread to the fun of turkey-shaped Oreos, these 11 cookie recipes will make your holiday table more festive and memorable.