3 Easy Recipes for Thanksgiving Cookies

thanksgiving cookies

Since the pandemic, there has been a rise in interest in home baking. As a result, sales of baking-related items increased by 24%, totaling $26.5 billion in 2020.

Whether you bake at home as an occupation or as a hobby, this time of year is excellent for making Fall cookies. Also, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, you can make many themed cookies.

However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the cookie ideas, this article may help. Keep reading to learn three great recipes for Thanksgiving cookies that you can easily make at home.

Types of Cookies

Cookies are one of the most versatile baked goods you can make. No matter what your preference is, there is a cookie recipe out there for you. Here is a list of some of the most popular types of cookie options you can bake:

  • Cookie bars
  • Shortbread
  • Sugar cookies
  • Gingerbread cookies
  • Sandwich cookies
  • Cutout cookies
  • Snickerdoodle cookies
  • Biscotti

Thanksgiving Cookies Recipes

With the weather turning cooler, Fall cookies bring flavors of pecans, apples, and maple to mind. So, without further ado, let’s get into some of these tasty recipes for thanksgiving cookies.

Here are our top two choices for you to try this season, and don’t miss out on the easy Royal Icing recipe at the bottom.

1. Spiced Pumpkin Cutout Cookies

This cookie recipe is made with actual pumpkin puree and decorated with royal icing. This recipe makes twelve cookies.

  • Yields: 12 Servings
  • Preparation Time: 40 min (excl Royal Icing)
  • Baking Time: 12 min
  • Total: 52 min

Ingredients

  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp Allspice
  • 1/8 tsp Cloves
  • 3/4 cup Salted butter, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 cup Canned pumpkin puree
  • Royal Icing, unflavored

Method

  1. Whisk flour, spices, and baking powder and put to one side once mixed.
  2. Cream butter and sugar together in an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, then add pumpkin puree and the egg and mix well (use a spatula to scrape the sides).
  3. Set speed to low, add flour in three parts, and only mix until flour is incorporated (do not overmix).
  4. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Line a cookie tray with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  6. Flour your working surface and rolling pin and roll the dough to 1/4 inch in thickness.
  7. Using a Halloween-themed cookie cutter (we recommend a pumpkin shape), cut out each cookie and lay them on the cookie tray.
  8. Before baking, freeze the cookies for 5-10 minutes. Doing this helps them hold their shape while baking.
  9. Repeat steps 6-8 until all dough has been used.
  10. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes (adjust time according to cookie size).
  11. After they’ve cooled slightly on the cookie sheet, leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
  12. Finally, decorate the cookies with orange and green royal icing (if you’re making pumpkin shapes) and serve.

If you don’t know how to decorate cutout cookies, you can follow this YouTube guide.

  • Pro Tip: Package them in clear packets, seal them with a Halloween-themed sticker, and gift them to friends and family.

2. Gingerbread Turkey Cookies

If you don’t imagine the taste of gingerbread when you think of Halloween, you’re doing something wrong. For these Thanksgiving cookies, you’ll need a cookie cutter in the shape of a turkey, or you can replace it with any other Halloween-themed cutter you have on hand.

  • Yields: 24-36 Cookies
  • Preparation Time: 30 min (excl Royal Icing)
  • Baking Time: 12 min
  • Total: 2 Hours

Ingredients

  • 3 cups All-Purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp Allspice
  • 1/8 tsp Cloves
  • 1/2 – 1 tsp Orange zest, grated
  • 6 Tbsp Salted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 cup Dark Molasses
  • Royal Icing, unflavored
  • Sanding Sugar

Method

  1. Whisk flour, spices, salt, baking powder, spices, and orange zest together and set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer (medium speed) until smooth and creamy, drizzle in the molasses, and add the egg. Mix well (use a spatula to scrape the sides).
  3. Set speed to low and add flour mixture in three parts, and only mix until flour is incorporated (do not overmix).
  4. Roll out on a cookie sheet and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (it can be left for up to 8 hours).
  5. Line a cookie tray with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  6. Using your turkey cookie cutter, cut out the shapes and lay them on a cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
  7. Repeat step 6 until all dough has been used.
  8. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes (adjust time according to cookie size, they still should be soft to the touch).
  9. After they’ve cooled slightly on the cookie sheet, leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
  10. Finally, decorate the cookies with royal icing and sanding sugar, leave to set for an hour, and then serve.

3. Royal Icing Recipe

To decorate your Halloween cookies, you’ll need to make a batch or two of royal icing. Here is a simple, quick recipe to get you started. A single batch makes around 4 cups of icing.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/3 cup Milk
  • 2 Egg Whites
  • Food coloring of your choice

Method

  1. In a large bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, egg whites, and milk until stiff (piping consistency)
  2. Adjust consistency if needed by adding more water or powdered sugar.
  3. Divide icing into parts (if using more than one color) and add food coloring to each, drop by drop until the desired color is reached.
  4. Add to a piping bag and start decorating your cookies.

Spread the Love With Thanksgiving Cookies

These Thanksgiving cookies make great gifts for family and friends or are great to pull out when you have some unexpected visitors. They’re easy to make, so feel free to include your kids and get the whole family baking.

However, if baking isn’t your thing and you prefer buying cookies, you can find a range of cookies and corporate gifts to purchase from our online shop. There’s something for everyone.