Thanksgiving Cookie Ideas – Thanksgiving is a very special festival. It is a great time to celebrate with our family and friends. On this special occasion, you can make delicious cookies at home. These cookies not only look beautiful, but they are also very tasty to eat. These cookies are as easy to make as they are fun. You can make them on the occasion of Christmas or New Year. You can make them in different designs, such as leaves, pies, turkeys, and flowers. And children love these cookies.
You can enjoy eating these cookies with your family and friends. Whether it is a school party or adding sweetness to the home, these Thanksgiving cookie ideas are perfect for every occasion. There are many ideas below that you can make and enjoy your Thanksgiving festival.
Thanksgiving Cookie Ideas
Classic Thanksgiving-Inspired Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
- Soft Molasses Cookies
- Maple Brown Sugar Cookies
- Pecan Sandies
- Cinnamon Roll Cookies
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies
- Apple Pie Thumbprint Cookies
- Brown Butter Pecan Cookies
- Sweet Potato Cookies with Marshmallow Drizzle
Pie-Inspired Cookie Creations
- Pecan Pie Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie Slice Cookies (decorated)
- Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies
- Cherry Pie Thumbprint Cookies
- Mini Cranberry Pie Cookie Cups
- Sweet Potato Pie Sandwich Cookies
- Blueberry Pie Bar Cookies
- Blackberry Crumble Cookies
- Peach Cobbler Cookies
- Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Fall Flavors & Seasonal Twists
- Salted Caramel Apple Cookies
- Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries & White Chocolate
- Maple Glazed Walnut Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies (early holiday start!)
- Cinnamon Apple Cider Cookies
- Toasted Coconut Pumpkin Cookies
- S’mores-Inspired Pumpkin Cookies
- Maple Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bites
- Chai Latte Cookies
- Pumpkin Pecan Lace Cookies
Cut-Out & Decorated Thanksgiving Cookies
- Turkey-Shaped Sugar Cookies
- Leaf-Shaped Iced Cookies
- Acorn-Shaped Chocolate Dipped Cookies
- Pumpkin Decorated Shortbread
- Plaid Fall Sweater Cookies
- Thankful Message Cookies
- Cornucopia Cut-Outs
- Mini Pie Cookie Cut-Outs
- Pilgrim Hat Cookies (chocolate & candy-based)
- Scarecrow Face Cookies
Nutty & Crunchy Cookie Recipes
- Almond Flour Pumpkin Cookies (gluten-free)
- Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
- Spiced Hazelnut Cookies
- Macadamia Nut Cranberry Cookies
- Maple Glazed Cashew Cookies
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprints
- Pistachio & White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Nutty Trail Mix Cookies
- Pecan Turtle Cookies
- Almond Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Soft, Chewy, and Frosted Cookies
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- Frosted Brown Sugar Cookies
- Apple Butter Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- Carrot Cake Cookies with Maple Frosting
- Buttermilk Softies with Nutmeg
- Sweet Potato Sandwich Cookies
- Chewy Maple Molasses Cookies
- Cinnamon Swirl Sugar Cookies
- Banana Bread Cookies with Walnuts
Healthier or Special Diet Options
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies
- Vegan Maple Pecan Cookies
- Keto Cinnamon Cookies
- Paleo Pumpkin Spice Cookies
- Almond Flour Snickerdoodles
- Low-Sugar Apple Spice Cookies
- Vegan Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
- No-Bake Pumpkin Protein Bites

- Diabetic-Friendly Nut Butter Cookies
- Sugar-Free Chai Cookies
Fun, Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Cookies
- Turkey Pretzel Cookies (chocolate + candy eyes)
- Candy Corn Sugar Cookie Bars
- Nutter Butter Pilgrim Cookies
- Chocolate Acorn Cookie Bites (kisses + mini cookies)
- Fall Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Rice Krispies Cookie Turkeys
- Oreo Turkey Cookie Pops
- Marshmallow Harvest Cookies
- Mini Pumpkin Face Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cornflake Cookies
Recipe
1. Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
-
¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat broiler to 350°F (175°C). Line up the preparation sheets with the material.
- Cream butter and sugars. Include pumpkin and vanilla.
- Blend in flour, salt, baking powder, cream of tartar, and pumpkin pie flavor.
- Chill the batter for 30 minutes. Scoop mixture and roll into balls, at that point coat with cinnamon sugar.
- Heat 10–12 minutes until edges are set.
2. Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cloves
Instructions:
- Preheat broiler to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Include egg and molasses.
- Blend in dry fixings. Chill for 1 hour.
- Scoop and roll mixture into balls, and coat with sugar.
- Heat 8–10 minutes until split frame on beat.
3. Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Blend the egg, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Mix in dry fixings.
- Drop tablespoons of the mixture on the heating sheets.
- Heat 10–12 minutes until brilliant at the edges.
4. Pecan Sandies Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the stove to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Include vanilla.
- Blend in flour, salt, and pecans.
- Form mixture into 1-inch balls and put on a heating sheet.
- Prepare 12–14 minutes until gently brilliant. Cool and tidy with powdered sugar in case carved
5. Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Filling:
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Icing:
-
½ cup powdered sugar + 1 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Make the mixture:
Cream butter and sugar, then add egg, vanilla, and dry ingredients. Chill 30 mins. - Roll into a rectangle, brush with butter, and sprinkle with filling. Roll up and cut.
- Heat cuts at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes. Sprinkle with icing when cool.
6. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the stove to 350°F (175°C).
- Blend butter, sugar, pumpkin, and vanilla. Include dry fixings. Mix in chips.
- Drop by spoonfuls on a prepared sheet.
- Heat 10–12 minutes until set
7. Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp each: cardamom, nutmeg, cloves
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Blend the egg and vanilla.
- Mix in dry fixings.
- Scoop and smooth the mixture marginally.
- Prepare 8–10 mins.
8. Apple Pie Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Filling:
- 1 apple, diced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Cook filling fixings in a skillet until apples soften. Cool.
- Preheat the stove to 350°F (175°C).
- Blend cookie batter. Frame balls, and make an indent within the center.
- Fill with apple blend.
- Prepare 12–14 mins.
9. Brown Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups chopped toasted pecans
Instructions:
- Brown butter, cool somewhat.
- Blend with sugars, at that point eggs and vanilla. Include dry fixings. Overlay with pecans.
- Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Scoop and prepare at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
10. Sweet Potato Cookies with Marshmallow Drizzle Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup mashed cooked sweet potato
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Drizzle:
-
½ cup marshmallow fluff + 1 tbsp milk (microwave and stir)
Instructions:
- Preheat the stove to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Include egg, sweet potato, and vanilla.
- Blend in dry fixings.
- Scoop and heat 10–12 mins. Sprinkle cooled treats with marshmallow.
11. Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:
For the cookie dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the pecan filling:
- 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
1. Make the cookie dough:
- In a big bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Stir in egg yolk and vanilla. Mix well.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and gradually mix in flour and salt to form a soft dough.
- Wrap the frosting in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
2. Prepare the pecan filling:
- In a small bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar, cream, melted butter, and cinnamon.
- Stir until well combined. Set aside.
3. Shape the cookies:
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Drop by 1-inch cookies on a cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
- Use your thumb (or a spoon) to press an indent in the middle of each dough ball.
4. Fill and bake:
- Spoon a little pecan filling in the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are slightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Megan Sheley is the passionate voice and creative force behind Clean Meal Recipes. With over 7 years of experience as a Food Blogger and Recipe Developer, Megan blends her love for wholesome food with her educational background in Public Health to create nutritious, delicious, and approachable recipes.