Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, cozy traditions, and of course, irresistible treats. While pies often steal the spotlight, these Easy Thanksgiving Cookies are here to change that. They bring all the fall flavors you love into small, handheld bites that everyone around your table will rave about.

Soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced, these cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or heading to a Friendsgiving potluck, these are the cookies you’ll want to bring. They’re quick to make, travel well, and add that perfect festive touch to your dessert table.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Thanksgiving Cookies

These cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet and spiced, with cinnamon and nutmeg giving them that unmistakable fall aroma. The dough comes together in one bowl, and there’s no need to chill it — meaning less time waiting and more time enjoying. Plus, they bake up with golden crisp edges and soft centers every single time.

These cookies are also easily customizable. Add white chocolate chips, toasted pecans, or even a drizzle of maple glaze to make them your own. They’re freezer-friendly too, so you can make them ahead of time and save yourself stress on the big day.

For Thanksgiving-inspired cookies, you want a dough that’s rich enough to carry spices and moisture but not so soft that it spreads too much in the oven. A brown sugar base works best here, adding depth and chewiness. Using room-temperature butter helps create that perfect texture while holding all the cozy spices in every bite. If you’re using add-ins like nuts or chips, fold them in at the end to keep the dough from getting overmixed.

Ingredients for the Easy Thanksgiving Cookies

These cookies use everyday pantry staples but come out tasting like something from a gourmet bakery. Before you start baking, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

All-purpose flour – Provides structure and ensures the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Brown sugar – Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness and adds moisture for that chewy texture.

Granulated sugar – Balances out the molasses notes of brown sugar and helps the edges crisp.

Unsalted butter – Adds rich flavor and softness to the cookies.

Egg – Binds everything together and contributes to the tenderness.

Vanilla extract – Enhances all the warm, sweet flavors in the dough.

Baking soda – Helps the cookies rise just enough to get that perfect thickness.

Ground cinnamon – Brings that signature fall spice aroma.

Nutmeg – Adds warmth and a slight nutty edge.

Salt – Balances sweetness and brings out the flavors.

Optional add-ins: White chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or maple glaze for extra fall flair.

How To Make the Easy Thanksgiving Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes with a hand mixer.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.

Step 4: Fold in Extras

If using white chocolate chips or pecans, fold them in gently now.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Scoop dough into 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underdone.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or store for later.

How to Serve and Store These Thanksgiving Cookies

These cookies are delicious warm from the oven, but they also make fantastic gifts when wrapped in a festive tin. They stay soft for days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to prep ahead, freeze the dough balls for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

This recipe makes about 24 cookies, perfect for feeding a small gathering or filling a cookie tray with variety.