Recipes for Fall Cookies

I have always loved to make new recipes for fall cookies. This is my favorite time of the year but it never lasted long enough in Ohio. I tried to make the most out of the time I had. I started making special cookies when my kids were little. After they started school I liked to surprise them with fresh cookies when they came home.

Recipes for Fall CookiesRecipes for Fall Cookies

When you have a bunch of children, life is pretty busy during the summer months. Not only is it much cooler but while the kids were in school I had a little more time to think about and bake cookies. Many of my recipes for fall cookies are inspired by all the locally grown products from harvest. Mostly these were grown and harvested from my area of Ohio such as pumpkins, squash, black walnuts and apples. 


The most popular recipes for fall cookies as well as other holidays are good sugar cookies. They are so versatile and can be decorated for any occasion. I would say this is my most traditional cookie. Of course, the first sign of fall is the beautiful color changing leaves. I cut the cookies in leaf shapes and frost them in fall colors. 

SUGAR COOKIE LEAVES

Sugar Cookie LeavesSugar Cookie Leaves
Leaf CookiesLeaf Cookies

My recipes for fall cookies start with sugar cookies in colorful leaf shapes.

  • 1/3 Cup butter 
  • 1/3 Cup solid shortening
  • 2 Cups flour
  • ¾ Cup sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • Dash salt

Combine in mixing bowl the butter and shortening; cream on medium speed.

Add half of the flour; beat in sugar, egg, milk, baking powder, vanilla and salt.

Stir in remaining flour; divide dough in half, cover and chill 3 hours.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375F degrees.

Roll dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness.

Cut leaf shapes about 2 ½ inches in size.

Place 1 inch apart on UNgreased baking sheets.

Bake 7 to 9 minutes; cool on tray 1 minute and remove to rack to cool.

Frost with favorite colors of cookie icing or decorative candies).

Makes about 34.

CARAMEL NUT ACORN COOKIES

Caramel Nut Acorn CookiesCaramel Nut Acorn Cookies
Caramel Nut Acorn Cookie ServingCaramel Nut Acorn Cookie Serving

When deciding on recipes for fall cookies, check the ground when admiring the colorful leaves. The ground in most wooded areas will be covered with acorns in the fall. The squirrels love to eat them and it is a great idea for cookie shapes. 

  • 1 Cup butter
  • ¾ Cup brown sugar
  • 2 ½ Cups flour
  • ½ Teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Egg
  • 24 Vanilla caramels
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • ½ Cup finely chopped pecans

NOTE: I baked some in the mold and some done by shaping from a ball so you can see.

PREHEAT OVEN to 350F degrees.

Heat and stir butter and brown sugar in medium saucepan until butter melts.

In a large bowl combine flour and baking powder.

Add the vanilla, egg and brown sugar mixture; blend mixture well.

Shape into 1 inch balls (I use 1 tablespoon); place 2 inches apart on UNgreased cookie sheet.

Pinch one end of cookie dough with fingers; bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden.

NOTE: If you have acorn shaped cookie pan you can use it for baking.

Place cookies on rack to cool completely.

Melt caramels in top of double boiler; stir in the water.

Dip flat end of cold cookie into caramel; dip into chopped pecans.

Place on wax paper to set; makes about 46 cookies.

Sometimes for recipes for fall cookies, my inspiration comes from looking forward to the approaching holidays. Although turkeys and deer are associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas, they remind me of the plentiful wild game roaming free in the fall.

EASY COOKIE CANDY TURKEYS 

Easy Cookie Candy TurkeysEasy Cookie Candy Turkeys

Recipes for fall cookies can be made the easy way by purchasing the products or make cookies and caramels with home recipes.

  • 12 Chocolate candy stars
  • 12 Caramels
  • 12 Scalloped Cookies (I use Fudge Stripe Cookies)
  • 12 Pieces candy corn

To assemble each cookie turkey place chocolate star on work surface with point side up.

Place 1 caramel on microwave safe wax paper; microwave on HIGH 5 to 10 seconds.

NOTE: Want caramel to be ONLY slightly softened.

Place softened caramel on tip of chocolate star pressing down to stick together.

To make feathers press a cookie (Stripe forward) firmly against softened caramel.

NOTE: Turkey should stand upright.

Press candy corn on top of caramel to resemble turkey’s beak.

Repeat process to make 12 turkeys.

Turkey Cookie IngredientsTurkey Cookie Ingredients

GINGERBREAD REINDEER RECIPE 

Gingerbread Reindeer RecipeGingerbread Reindeer Recipe
  • 1 Cup butter or margarine
  • 2/3 Cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup molasses
  • 4 Cups flour
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon ginger
  • ¾ Teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ Teaspoon cloves
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons vanilla
  • Mini pretzels
  • Chocolate chips

Combine butter, brown sugar and molasses in a saucepan.

Cook and stir over medium heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves.

Pour into a large mixing bowl; cool 5 minutes.

In another bowl combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, soda and cloves.

Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture; mix well.

Add the flour mixture to the butter/ egg mixture; beat until well blended.

Divide dough in 3 parts; wrap in plastic; chill at least 2 hours.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F degrees.

Roll dough to 1/8 to ¼ inch thickness; cut into 2 ½ inch rounds.

Place rounds on parchment lined baking sheets.

Pinch rounds 1/3 way down circle; top forming head and bottom forming body.

Press 2 pretzels on head for the antlers; press 2 chocolate chips for eyes.

Shape a small ball of dough for the deer’s nose; dampen with water to adhere.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until set; cool on racks

Makes about 40.

Shaping Reindeer Step OneShaping Reindeer Step One
Shaping Reindeer Step TwoShaping Reindeer Step Two
Shaping Reindeer Step ThreeShaping Reindeer Step Three

CRANBERRY PUMPKIN COOKIES

Cranberry Pumpkin CookiesCranberry Pumpkin Cookies

Recipes for fall cookies often incorporate more than one harvest ingredients like cranberries. Fall is the only time I can buy fresh cranberries so I buy enough to last all year preserving by drying or freezing.

  • 2 Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon allspice
  • 1 Cup softened butter
  • 1 Cup sugar
  • 1 Cup thick pumpkin puree
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Cup chopped pecans
  • 1 Cup dried cranberries
  • Pecan halves (About 64)

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

Place flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, salt and allspice in bowl; blend well.

Cream butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until fluffy.

Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla; gradually beat in flour mixture until blended.

Stir in chopped pecans and cranberries; drop by tablespoon on ungreased cookie sheets.

NOTE: Place mounds about 2 inches apart for spreading.

Flatten mounds slightly with back of spoon; press a pecan half in center of each cookie.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown; cook on pan 1 minute then cool on rack.

When completely cold store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

Makes about 64.

BLACK WALNUT SUGAR COOKIE

Black Walnut Sugar CookieBlack Walnut Sugar Cookie
Black Walnut Sugar CookieBlack Walnut Sugar Cookie

Many recipes for fall cookies are made with black walnuts. They are so abundant in the eastern half of the United States in the fall. Where there is a walnut tree walnuts will be covering the surrounding area. Many people will give them to you if you pick them up and they are so expensive to buy.

  • 1 Cup margarine or solid shortening
  • 1 ¾ Cups sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 Teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • 4 To 5 Cups flour
  • 1 Cup finely chopped black walnuts

Cream margarine and sugar together; beat in the eggs.

Mix together the whipping cream and vanilla; add to creamed mixture.

Add baking powder, soda and walnuts to 1 CUP of the flour; add to mixture.

Work in REMAINING flour 1 cup at a time to make a soft workable dough.

Chill dough overnight.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F degrees; line baking trays with parchment paper.

Roll dough to 1/3 inch thickness; cut in rounds and place on prepared tray.

Sprinkle tops of cookies with sugar; bake about 10 minutes.

NOTE: Tops should spring back when touched; makes about 80.

CARAMEL APPLE BITES

Caramel Apple BitesCaramel Apple Bites

If looking for recipes for fall cookies, they are endless when it comes to apples. Most apple recipes are so moist and delicious.

Filling

  • 1/3 Cup finely chopped unpeeled apples
  • 1/3 Cup evaporated canned milk
  • 1/3 Cup sugar
  • 1/3 Cup finely chopped walnuts

Dough

  • ½ Cup softened butter
  • ¼ Cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ Cup brown sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 Cups flour
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt

Topping

  • 1 Package (14 Ounces) caramels
  • 2/3 Cup evaporated canned milk
  • 1 Cup finely chopped walnuts
  • Toothpicks NOTE: I dye my toothpicks green with a little food coloring and lay them out to dry.

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

FOR FILLING combine ingredients in small saucepan.

Cook and stir filling over medium heat until thickened.

Set off heat to cool.

FOR DOUGH cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

Beat the egg and vanilla into the creamed mixture.

Combine flour and salt; gradually add and mix into creamed mixture.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls; flatten balls. (I use 1 tablespoon of dough)

Place ¼ teaspoon of filling in center; fold dough over and reshape into ball.

Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes until lightly browned; cool on rack.

FOR TOPPING combine caramels and milk in saucepan.

Stir over low heat until caramels melt and mixture is smooth.

Insert toothpick into each cookie; dip into caramel until covered.

Allow excess caramel to drip off; dip bottoms into nuts.

Place on rack or parchment paper to set; makes about 30.

LEMON GLAZED APPLESAUCE COOKIES

Great flavors of apples and spices make this one of the delicious recipes for fall cookies.

  • 2 Cups brown sugar
  • 1 Cup shortening
  • 2 Eggs
  • ½ Cup cold coffee
  • 2 Cups applesauce
  • 3 ½ cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon cloves
  • 1 Cup raisins
  • ½ Cup coarsely chopped nuts

Lemon Glaze

  • 1 ½ Cups powdered sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons light corn syrup
  • About 5 teaspoons warm water

TO MAKE COOKIES combine sugar, shortening and eggs in large bowl.

Add coffee and applesauce to shortening mixture; blend.

Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves.

Stir in raisins and nuts; cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 400F degrees.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes until set; cool and then frost with glaze.

TO MAKE GLAZE combine and mix all ingredients to spreading consistency.

FROSTED PUMPKIN COOKIES

Huge piles of pumpkins are everywhere waiting to be used in recipes for fall cookies, pies, cakes and breads.

Cookies 

  • 2 Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ Teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 Cup softened butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ Cup brown sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Cup thick pureed pumpkin
  • 2 Teaspoons vanilla
  • ½ Cup raisins
  • ½ Cup chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 3 Ounces softened cream cheese
  • ¼ Cup softened butter
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 Cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

TO MAKE COOKIES combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda and nutmeg.

In large mixing bowl cream butter; beat in sugars until fluffy.

Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla beating well to blend.

Add flour mixture to creamed mixture mixing until well blended.

Stir in raisins and nuts; drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes; cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer cookies to rack to cool completely. 

TO MAKE FROSTING cream cheese, butter and vanilla. 

Gradually add powdered sugar beating until smooth.

Spread a little over each cooled cookie.

RECIPES FOR FALL COOKIES like MAPLE CREAMS

Maple flavoring also reminds me of fall. Even though maple is harvested in the spring, I have always enjoyed it in the fall and winter. Fall is when we really enjoy pancakes, waffles and biscuits with delicious maple syrup. Maple really adds to recipes for fall cookies.

Cookies

  • 1 Cup solid shortening
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ Teaspoon maple flavoring
  • 2 Cups brown sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 3 ¾ Cups flour
  • 2 Teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 Cup sour cream

Icing

  • 6 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 Teaspoon maple flavoring
  • ½ Cup canned evaporated milk
  • Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Cream together shortening, vanilla, maple, brown sugar and eggs; set aside.

In another bowl stir together flour and soda.

Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternating with sour cream.

Drop by teaspoon onto lightly greased cookie sheets; bake just until brown.

Cool completely on wire rack; make icing.

FOR ICING melt butter and cool to room temperature.

Stir into icing the maple and milk; stir in sugar to spreading consistency.

Frost cooled cookies.