These Easy Thanksgiving Cookies are the perfect holiday treat when you want something festive, comforting, and effortless. With a soft, chewy texture, loads of melty chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts on top, they capture everything you love about fall flavors in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a Friendsgiving potluck or whipping up a batch for a cozy night in, these cookies deliver seasonal magic with minimal effort.


The beauty of these cookies is their versatility. They’re rich but not overpowering, with just the right balance of gooey centers and crisp edges. You can dress them up with a drizzle of caramel or keep them classic and simple. No fancy tools or obscure ingredients required – just a big mixing bowl, your favorite mix-ins, and your oven.
What Makes These Thanksgiving Cookies So Special?
It all comes down to flavor and simplicity. The base cookie dough is buttery and soft, made with pantry staples, which gives you freedom to get creative. Add-ins like semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped white chocolate, or toasted nuts bring in that rich, warm autumnal flavor.
Another reason they shine? They freeze beautifully. You can make the dough ahead of time and bake when guests arrive for that fresh-from-the-oven wow factor.
Ingredients for the Easy Thanksgiving Cookies
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone that keeps your cookies soft yet chewy.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and get that tender texture.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
- Brown Sugar: For deep caramel notes and chewy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides the classic sweetness and helps with crisp edges.
- Eggs: Binds everything together and gives the dough structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The melty goodness that makes these cookies irresistible.
- White Chocolate Chunks: Adds a creamy, sweet contrast.
- Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: Toasted and sprinkled for crunch and a nutty twist.
How To Make the Easy Thanksgiving Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This aerates the mixture and sets the stage for a soft cookie.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well incorporated before moving on.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
Step 4: Fold in the Good Stuff
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chunks. Add chopped pecans or walnuts if using.
Step 5: Scoop and Chill
Scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underbaked.

How to Serve and Store Easy Thanksgiving Cookies
Serve these cookies warm with a cold glass of milk or hot apple cider. If you’re going for presentation, drizzle some warm caramel or dust lightly with powdered sugar.
To store, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies or the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.
What to Serve With Easy Thanksgiving Cookies?
Hot Spiced Apple Cider
The warm cinnamon and apple flavors make a comforting pairing with these cookies.
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
Balance the rich cookie with a lightly spiced iced coffee treat.
Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie
Want to build a dessert table? Add a slice of Chocolate Cherry Cream Pie for fruity contrast.
Creamy Cranberry Salad
This creamy cranberry salad brings in tartness to balance the sweetness of the cookies.
Salted Caramel Cupcakes
For a more decadent pairing, try these Salted Caramel Cupcakes. The flavors echo each other beautifully.
Dads Creamy Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
Surprisingly, a bit of savory like au gratin potatoes on the side can balance your dessert bar with a holiday twist.
Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?
If you love these Easy Thanksgiving Cookies, you’ll definitely want to try these delicious variations:
- Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies for a nostalgic Southern treat.
- Condensed Milk Snow Cookies if you want a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Raspberry Cookies Recipe for a fruity twist on a classic.
- Chocolate Cherry Cookies that combine richness with zing.
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Crumble Cookies for a soft bite with a creamy surprise.
Save This Pin For Later
Save this delicious idea to your favorite Pinterest board so it’s easy to find when you’re ready to whip it up again.
Tried it with a twist? Maybe a splash of bourbon or a drizzle of glaze? I’d love to hear how it turned out—drop your tips or questions in the comments below.
Need more inspiration? Explore my daily kitchen creations on SavorQueen.com on Pinterest. Your next favorite might be waiting there.
Easy Thanksgiving Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Bake up a batch of Easy Thanksgiving Cookies that bring the cozy flavors of fall right into your kitchen. These chewy, buttery cookies are packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy white chocolate chunks, and toasted pecans or walnuts for that satisfying crunch. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or a late-night treat, this easy recipe is a go-to for busy holiday bakers. Whether you’re looking for quick desserts, cookie tray ideas, or a family-friendly baking project, these cookies check all the boxes—sweet, simple, and totally irresistible. These cookies make a great addition to your holiday table or cookie exchange. With broad appeal and pantry-friendly ingredients, it’s an easy recipe to love. Think of them as the sweet answer to your favorite easy dinner or breakfast ideas, just on the dessert side!
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chunks
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
6. Fold in chocolate chips, white chocolate, and nuts.
7. Scoop dough balls onto baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden edges and soft centers.
9. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Chill your dough for at least 30 minutes for the best thick, chewy texture.
Feel free to swap pecans for walnuts or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: thanksgiving cookies, easy cookie recipe, holiday treats, fall baking, soft chocolate chip cookies
