Easy Thanksgiving Cookies

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These Easy Thanksgiving Cookies are the perfect sweet treat to round off your holiday meal or bring as a thoughtful homemade gift. Soft, chewy, and packed with a rich blend of chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and a hint of seasonal warmth, they strike the right balance between indulgence and comfort. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or need a quick dessert to impress, these cookies deliver every time with minimal effort.

Their rustic appearance and cozy flavor make them feel right at home on any Thanksgiving dessert table. The combination of semi-sweet and white chocolate chips adds depth, while a sprinkle of pecans or walnuts on top brings out that unmistakable autumn feel. With pantry-friendly ingredients and a prep time under 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself turning to this recipe again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Thanksgiving Cookies Recipe

• Incredibly easy to prepare with no special baking skills required.
• Chewy inside, slightly crisp on the edges — the perfect texture.
• A delightful mix of chocolate and nuts makes each bite rich and satisfying.
• Great make-ahead option for busy holiday schedules.
• Customizable: Add dried cranberries, cinnamon, or even pumpkin spice.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To get started with these cookies, you don’t need any fancy tools, but a few essentials will make a big difference:

• Mixing Bowls: Use at least two — one for dry and one for wet ingredients. This ensures even mixing and prevents overworking the dough.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Helps to cream the butter and sugars efficiently, leading to a fluffier cookie texture.
• Baking Sheet: A good non-stick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
• Cookie Scoop: For evenly-sized cookies that bake uniformly.
• Wire Rack: Essential for cooling the cookies without making them soggy.

These tools not only streamline the process but also enhance the final outcome of your cookies.

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Preparation Tips

Room temperature ingredients are key — especially the butter and eggs. This helps everything blend smoothly and improves texture. Don’t skip chilling the dough if you have the time; it prevents spreading and enhances flavor. When scooping, try to keep all cookie balls the same size for even baking. Finally, don’t overbake — they should look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out. They’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet and finish perfectly chewy.

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Ingredients for This Easy Thanksgiving Cookies Recipe

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional for a warm Thanksgiving touch)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (plus extra for topping)
• Optional: 1/2 cup dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots

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Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is essential to achieving that soft, chewy cookie texture.

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Step 2: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is thoroughly combined for a smooth base.

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Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Avoid over-mixing.

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Step 4: Fold in the Mix-ins

Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and any optional dried fruits. Mix just enough to evenly distribute throughout the dough.

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Step 5: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to an hour. This step helps control spreading and intensifies the flavors, but you can skip it if you’re in a rush.

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Step 6: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use a non-stick baking mat. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the dough into evenly sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the sheet.

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Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly underbaked. Remove from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Step 8: Garnish and Serve

While the cookies are still warm, sprinkle a few extra chopped nuts or a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for added texture and flavor. Serve warm or store for later — they’re irresistible either way!

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Notes

These Easy Thanksgiving Cookies are incredibly versatile. You can tailor them to your taste by mixing in dried fruits like cranberries, seasonal spices such as nutmeg or ginger, or swapping chocolate types (try butterscotch or dark chocolate!). For a bakery-style look, press a few chips and chopped nuts on top before baking. If baking in large batches for guests, you can easily double the recipe. These cookies freeze beautifully, so you can make them ahead of time for stress-free holiday prep.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Skipping the butter softening step: Cold butter won’t cream properly with sugar, leading to dense cookies.
• Overmixing the dough: This can cause tough, dry cookies. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Not spacing the dough properly: These cookies spread slightly. Give them space to bake evenly.
• Overbaking: The cookies may look underdone in the center when ready. They continue baking from residual heat.
• Adding mix-ins too early: Fold chocolate chips and nuts at the end to avoid crushing or over-distribution.

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Storage Instructions

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them ultra-soft, you can place a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

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Estimated Nutrition

(Note: Approximate values per cookie, assuming 24 cookies total)

• Calories: 210
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 95mg
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Sugar: 17g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the fridge until ready to bake.

Can I freeze the cookie dough instead of baked cookies?

Absolutely. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, just add 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.

What can I use instead of eggs?

Use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) per egg for an egg-free version.

Do I have to use both types of chocolate chips?

Not at all. You can use just one type or experiment with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even caramel chips.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The edges should be golden while the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll firm up while cooling.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for best results.

Are these cookies kid-friendly?

Very! They’re sweet, soft, and fun to customize with sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or candy pieces.

What can I serve with these cookies for Thanksgiving?

They pair wonderfully with hot apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Conclusion

These Easy Thanksgiving Cookies are more than just a quick dessert — they’re a warm, nostalgic bite of holiday joy. Their chewy texture, customizable flavors, and effortless prep make them a staple for Thanksgiving and beyond. Whether you’re baking a batch to share or keeping them all for yourself (we won’t judge), this recipe guarantees sweet success every time. Make room for these cookies on your table — your guests will thank you.

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