When crisp air rolls in, leaves start to fall, and pumpkin spice reappears everywhere, baking cookies becomes more than just a weekend hobby; it’s a full-blown fall ritual. Fall biking means cozy, seasonal bakes that capture the essence of autumn: warm spices, rich flavors, and comforting textures. Whether you’re preparing treats for a cozy night in, a holiday dessert tray, or just craving something festive to go with your coffee, this roundup of fall cookie recipes delivers on flavor, ease, and seasonal charm.
These are our favorite fall cookie recipes that scream Autumn nostalgia:
1. Pumpkin Caramel Kiss Snickerdoodles
These Pumpkin Caramel Kiss Snickerdoodles meld three seasonal delights in every bite: spiced pumpkin dough, cinnamon-sugar coating, and a gooey caramel-filled chocolate kiss center. Soft, fluffy, and warmly spiced, each cookie delivers comforting, cozy autumn vibes with a surprise melt-in-your-mouth caramel core. Ideal for brunch boxes, cookie swaps, or cozy afternoon tea, they capture nostalgia and novelty in one treat. They’re simple to make and irresistibly festive, perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or whatever your fall celebrations demand.
2. Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon are pillowy, cake-like cookies infused with classic pumpkin pie spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Rolled in cinnamon sugar, they emerge from the oven with a delicately crisp, spiced exterior and a moist, tender center. Fluffy yet substantial, they pair beautifully with coffee or apple cider. Kid-friendly and easy to bake in large batches, these cookies are ideal for fall cookie trays, lunchbox treats, or gifting. With nostalgic flavor and cozy texture, they deliver pumpkin perfection without fuss.
3. Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Indulge caramel and chocolate lovers with these Caramel‑Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies. Each chewy cookie hides a luscious caramel center that blends with semi-sweet chocolate chips to create a molten, fudgy bite. The dough is soft and lightly golden on the edges, balancing sweetness with a rich, slightly salty caramel surprise. Ideal for special occasions or dessert tables, these cookies are easy enough for busy bakers yet feel decadent and sophisticated. Pair them with milk or cider as the perfect fall treat.
Caramel-Coated Pecan Pie Cake Balls
4. Caramel-Coated Pecan Pie Cake Balls
These Caramel‑Coated Pecan Pie Cake Balls are bite‑sized indulgences that marry the flavors of pecan pie and cake pop perfection. Moist cake crumbs get mixed with pecan pie filling and sweet cream cheese, then rolled into small spheres. Each ball is dipped in melted caramel and finished with a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans for crunch and visual appeal. The outside is slightly firm while the inside stays soft and creamy, creating the ultimate textural contrast. Ideal for party platters, dessert tables, or grab‑and‑go fall treats, these cake balls combine nostalgic flavor with playful ease.
5. Iced Pumpkin Cookies
These Iced Pumpkin Cookies are soft, cake-like rounds packed with warm spices and pumpkin flavor, then topped with creamy orange icing for a festive finish. Topped with a simple powdered sugar glaze subtly tinted with pumpkin spice or citrus zest, they look pretty and taste equally delightful. Moist, fluffy, and just sweet enough, these cookies are perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or as afternoon treats. They’re beginner-friendly, easy to customize (add nuts or chocolate chips), and bring a festive, fall-inspired touch to any dessert spread.
6. Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies
These Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies offer all the flavors of a pecan pie, bite-sized for giftable perfection. A buttery shortbread base is pressed and filled with gooey pecan pie–style filling, complete with toasted chopped pecans and caramel sweetness. Each cookie blends crisp edges, tender dough, and sticky pecan centers—delivering elegance without fuss. They’re a delightful addition to holiday cookie assortments, perfect served with coffee or eggnog. Stylish and nostalgic, these cookies make both a stunning platter feature and a delicious snack.
7. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies combine hearty oats, creamy peanut butter, and rich chocolate chips into a soft, chewy fall‑ready treat. The oats add texture and heartiness, while the peanut butter lends warmth and richness. Chocolate chips melt into every bite, creating pockets of gooey sweetness. Easy to whip up and perfect for lunchboxes, bake sales, or after-school snacks, they offer energy and indulgence in one package. With every batch baking in under 20 minutes, they’re a reliable crowd‑pleaser that hits all the nostalgia points.
8. Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps
These Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps are a fall staple; crisp around the edges with a moist, tender center and plenty of warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Rolled in sparkling sugar before baking, each cookie has a lightly crunchy exterior that gives way to rich, deep molasses flavor and cozy spice inside. Perfect for dipping into tea, cider, or coffee, they bring nostalgia and comfort. Quick to prepare, they’re an ideal recipe for beginner bakers or busy days, yet they taste and smell like holiday treats straight from grandma’s kitchen.
9. Peanut Butter Meltaway Cookies
These Peanut Butter Meltaway Cookies are delicate, crumbly delights that practically dissolve on your tongue. Made with creamy peanut butter, rich butter, and a sprinkle of sugar, they’re coated in powdered sugar for a snowy, elegant finish. Each melt-in-your-mouth cookie is lightly crisp at the base and soft within, offering nostalgic comfort in every bite. Ideal for cookie swaps, holiday platters, or everyday indulgence, they store well and look beautiful in gift tins. These classic meltaways pair perfectly with autumn teas or hot chocolate for cozy seasonal enjoyment.
Cheesecake Stuffed Cinnamon Apple Cookie Cups
10. Cheesecake-Stuffed Cinnamon Apple Cookie Cups
These Cheesecake‑Stuffed Cinnamon Apple Cookie Cups combine warming fall spices, soft apple chunks, and creamy cheesecake filling, all nestled in soft cookie cups. A brown sugar–spiced dough is pressed into muffin tins, baked lightly, then filled with silky cream cheese sweetened with maple or brown sugar. Baked again until the cheese sets just right, they emerge with a tender cookie encasing a custardy center. Garnished with extra apple pieces or cinnamon sugar, they feel festive and elegant. Ideal for brunch, dessert, or holiday gifting, these cookie cups deliver crunch, spice, and creamy indulgence in one bite.
The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie by modernhoney.com
11. The Best Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
These ultra-soft Snickerdoodle Cookies strike the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Buttery dough is rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking, creating a crackled, sugary crust and pillowy interior. Real cream of tartar delivers that signature snickerdoodle tang, while cinnamon adds warmth. They’re easy to make in big batches, keeping centers soft and edges chewy—ideal for dipping in milk or cider on crisp fall days. Classic yet elevated, these cookies are great for bake sales, classroom treats, or cozy kitchen moments when you crave nostalgic comfort with seasonal spice.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies by foodfolksandfun.net
12. Pumpkin Whoopie Pie
These Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are two soft pumpkin cake cookies sandwiched with creamy maple–cream cheese frosting. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in the pumpkin dough lend warmth, while the rich filling adds luscious sweetness. These portable treats are perfect for potlucks, lunchboxes, or holiday cookie trays. With tender texture and indulgent flavor, they offer autumn nostalgia in every bite. Easy to make and easy to eat, they embody the cozy charm of fall baking, especially when served alongside a warm drink by the fireplace.
13. Cherry Pie Shortbread Cookies
Inspired by classic cherry pie, these Cherry Pie Shortbread Cookies feature buttery, tender shortbread bases topped with bright cherry pie filling. The crisp-crumble crust complements the chewy, jammy topping perfectly. Each cookie offers the nostalgia of cherry pie in handheld form—sweet, tart, and satisfying. Ideal for dessert trays or afternoon tea, they provide dessert versatility without the work of rolling pie crust. Short on fuss but high on flavor, these cookies elegantly bridge nostalgic pie flavors and bake-sale convenience.
Brown Sugar Cookies with Nutella Frosting
14. Brown Sugar Cookies with Nutella Frosting
These Brown Sugar Cookies with Nutella Frosting are soft, chewy treats infused with deep caramel flavor from dark brown sugar. After baking, they’re topped with silky Nutella frosting and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect sweet‑salty combo. The brown sugar cookie base offers molasses richness balanced by creamy hazelnut-chocolate frosting. Each bite is gooey, sweet, and slightly nutty, great for chocolate and caramel lovers alike. These cookies stand out on holiday trays, brunch spreads, or cozy evenings with a mug of hot cocoa.
The Best Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
15. The Best Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
These Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are classic comfort in cookie form. Made with creamy peanut butter and brown sugar, they’re tender, chewy, and deeply flavorful. The classic criss‑cross fork marks give them nostalgic charm, while the texture remains soft in the center and slightly crisp on the outside. Perfect for peanut butter lovers looking for simple, foolproof baking, these cookies pair beautifully with a glass of milk or coffee. Easy to whip up and always kid-approved, they make a dependable treat for snack time or cookie swaps.
Gluten Free Nutella Cookies
16. Gluten Free Nutella Cookies
These Gluten‑Free Nutella Cookies from Old House to New Home are ideal for those craving decadence without gluten. Made with Nutella and almond flour, each cookie is rich, fudgy, and chocolate-hazelnut dreamy. The centers stay soft and chewy, baked just until set, while the outside remains lightly crisp. No refined sugar is added; Nutella provides all the sweetness and indulgence. Perfect for allergy-friendly treat tables or special fall bake sessions, these cookies are simple to make and satisfy even non‑GF taste buds with gourmet flavor.
Autumn Harvest Cookies by allrecipes.com
17. Autumn Harvest Cookies
These Autumn Harvest Cookies blend hearty oats, chewy dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of fall spices, just like a cozy morning stroll through crunchy leaves. Rolled oats provide rustic texture, while brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice deliver warm sweetness. Each bite is soft with a satisfying chew, thanks to golden edges and a tender center. Easy to make in bulk, these cookies thrive in lunchboxes, bake sales, or as simple autumn snacks. Naturally nutty and fruity, they’re a wholesome treat that embodies the harvest season and seasonal comfort.
Chewy Pumpkin Cookies by inbloombakery
18. Chewy Pumpkin Cookies
These Chewy Pumpkin Cookies are exactly what pumpkin lovers crave: rich, chewy centers covered in spiced sugar. A key step, drying the pumpkin purée, ensures they stay chewy, not cakey. The dough is rolled in cinnamon-sugar before baking, locking in autumn spice flavor. In just 30 minutes, you get tender, melty cookies that “truly melt in your mouth”. Handy, fast, and flavorful, these cookies capture the essence of fall with minimal fuss but maximum nostalgia.
Cake Batter M&M Cookies
19. Cake Batter M&M Cookies
These vibrant cookies combine the fun of cake batter dough with candy-covered M&Ms for a cheerful fall treat. The tender, sweet dough baked with colorful M&Ms becomes soft and chewy with pops of chocolate and candy crunch. Ideal for festive gatherings, they bring playful flair to lunchboxes or cookie trays without being over-the-top seasonal, great for autumn-themed parties, too.
20. Cake Batter Cookies with White Chocolate Raspberry Icing
Imagine buttery, cake-flavored cookies studded with creamy white chocolate chips; these Cake Batter Cookies deliver that dream. Soft and tender, with sweet bursts of white chocolate in every bite, they’re bright, cheerful, and charmingly simple. They offer a nostalgic twist ideal for those who love cake batter without committing to ice cream or frosting. Easy to bake and easy to share, they fit right into fall dessert spreads, especially alongside more spiced offerings.
Pumpkin Sugar Cookies by simplejoy.com
21. Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies from Simple Joy combine classic sugar cookie softness with warm pumpkin and spices. The dough yields tender, melt-in-your-mouth rounds that are lightly sweet and gracefully spiced. They’re perfect for simple icing or plain, carrying cozy pumpkin flavor without overwhelming sweetness. Easy to make and subtly autumnal, they fit well for bake sales, cookie swaps, or lunchbox treats. They bridge the gap between minimal fuss and seasonal charm.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies by thegoldlininggirl.com
22. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies
These Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies capture your favorite autumn beverage in chewy cookie form. The dense pumpkin-spiced dough is loaded with warm notes of cinnamon, ginger, and clove, then amped up with instant coffee granules for that latte essence. Rolled in sugar for a crisp edge, these cookies bake up soft and chewy at the center, never cakey, just as intended. Finish with a simple coffee glaze drizzled on top to reinforce the espresso kick and add glossy charm. Perfect for fall afternoons and coffee-centric gatherings, they deliver cozy, indulgent flavor with minimal fuss.
Classic Austrian Linzer Cookies by biggerbolderbaking.com
23. Classic Linzer Cookies
These Classic Austrian Linzer Cookies are a timeless fall favorite, tender, nutty, and elegantly balanced. Made with buttery dough enriched by almond flour and warm cinnamon, they’re sandwiched around a dollop of sweet-tart raspberry jam and dusted with powdered sugar. The texture is soft and melt-in-your-mouth, yet sturdy enough to hold its shape. They’re “perfectly nutty and rich, super tender, and not-too-sweet,” making them an ideal cookie for both casual baking and holiday gifting. Elegant in appearance yet easy to bake, these Linzers pair beautifully with tea, cider, or coffee and shine on any autumn dessert spread.
Chewy Molasses Cookies by loveandlemons.com
24. Chewy Molasses Cookies
These Chewy Molasses Cookies are irresistible autumn treats with crisp edges and fudgy centers. A rich blend of unsulphured molasses, brown sugar, and warming spices, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom creates a deep, cozy flavor. Rolled in cane sugar before baking, they develop an enticing crackled surface and soft mid-section. These vegan-friendly cookies bake quickly (no chill time needed), making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or holiday prep. They’re ideal alongside hot cocoa or cider, and they store well, staying chewy for days. A timeless fall cookie that’s as simple to make as it is comforting to enjoy.
Taylor Swift Chai cookies by joythebaker.com
25. Chai cookies
These beloved Taylor Swift’s Chai Sugar Cookies blend soft, chewy sugar cookie dough with a fragrant chai spice mix; ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and more, rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking. A simple eggnog-spiced glaze finishes them off, adding warmth and sweetness. Fans love their perfect balance: lightly crispy edges, tender centers, and nostalgic chai flavor. Ideal for seasonal bake sales, tea gatherings, or cozy game nights, they’re charming, comforting, and utterly fall‑ready.
Apple Cider Cookies by bostongirlbakes.com
26. Apple Cider Cookies
These Apple Cider Cookies are soft, chewy fall delights studded with tender apple bits and cozy warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. A touch of real apple cider, plus apple chunks, brings deep, authentic autumn flavor, while a sweet apple-cider glaze adds shine and a sugary finish. Designed for easy, no-chill baking, they come together in under 30 minutes and freeze beautifully, making them perfect for holiday prep or spontaneous snack cravings. Ideal for cookie swaps, lunchboxes, or cozy afternoons, these cookies taste like a stroll through a crisp orchard, sweet, spiced, and warmly nostalgic.
Butter Pecan Cookies by bakerbynature.com
27. Butter Pecan Cookies
These Butter Pecan Cookies are fall baking perfection; thick, chewy, and bursting with toasted pecan flavor. Browned butter enriches the dough with nutty depth, while dark brown sugar adds chewy caramel notes. Chopped pecans are toasted in butter before mixing into the dough, ensuring every bite is studded with toasted crunch. Warm from the oven, the texture is soft inside with crispy edges, and they firm up to chewy perfection as they cool. Ideal for holiday cookie trays or cozy afternoons by the fire, these freezer-friendly cookies capture autumn warmth in each bite.