Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Food and Recipes
  3. Desserts
  4. Cookies
  5. 30 Fall Cookie and Bar Recipes Every Baker Needs to Try

30 Fall Cookie and Bar Recipes Every Baker Needs to Try

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated October 19, 2020
Skip gallery slides
FB
Caramel Apple Cookies
Credit: Photographer: Alison Miksch Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

As soon as the temperature dips even the slightest bit below 70, you better believe we're ready for fall baking. While pies and cakes will always be seasonal staples, there's nothing like a warm cookie to welcome fall. Whether you're baking a batch for a football party or your church's Thanksgiving potluck, cookies full of pumpkin, apple, caramel, peanut butter, or pecan flavor are sure to win over your crowd. From desserts that play on your favorite flavor combinations, like our Caramel-Apple Cookies or our Cranberry-Almond Cookies, to sweets that fuse two classic treats together, like our Apple Pie Cookies or our Pecan Pie Cookies, our best fall cookies recipes have everything you're looking for this autumn season. The hardest part just might be picking which recipe to make...or keeping your cookie jar full once the family tries a cookie or two. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Add an extra crunch to this slice-and-bake shortbread by coating both dough logs with turbinado sugar before slicing them into rounds.

1 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

The secret to these crowd-favorite cookies is in the butter. It all comes down to the first (very important) step of browning the butter before you start baking.

2 of 31

3 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Apple Pie Cookies

Apple Pie Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Apple Pie Cookies

Your typical apple pie gets a makeover in this bite-sized cookie. These pillowy, personal-sized treats are like miniature hand pies, and the pocket of apple pie filling is sure to make you think of your favorite Thanksgiving slice. 

3 of 31

Advertisement

4 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Caramel-Apple Cookies

Caramel Apple Cookies
Credit: Photographer: Alison Miksch Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

Recipe: Caramel-Apple Cookies

The flavor of your favorite state fair treat in cookie form, this dessert makes the most of apple and caramel. 

4 of 31

5 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Candy Corn Cookies

Candy Corn Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Candy Corn Cookies

Celebrate fall's favorite candy by topping our classic homemade sugar cookies with the festive treat.

5 of 31

6 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Brown Butter-Caramel Blondies

Brown Butter-Caramel Blondies
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Brown Butter-Caramel Blondies

Drizzle this sweet treat with homemade caramel for extra gooey goodness.

6 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies

Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies Recipe
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies

A rich, delectable flourless treat, this rich dessert is essentially a cookie brownie filled with toasted chopped pecans and gooey pockets of melted chocolate.

7 of 31

8 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Nothing screams fall more than these scrumptious pumpkin spice cookies that pair well with a cup of hot chocolate...or a pumpkin spice latte from your favorite coffee shop. 

8 of 31

9 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Get our your piping bags and create the perfect fall treat. If it's past Halloween, just leave the jack-o'-lantern face off your design for a timeless fall pumpkin. 

9 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cappuccino Swirl Bars

Cappuccino Swirl Bars
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Cappuccino Swirl Bars

Good to look at, but even better to eat, these bars are surprisingly easy to make.

10 of 31

11 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Butterscotch Cookies

Butterscotch Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Butterscotch Cookies

Butterscotch chips are just as easy to buy at the grocery store as chocolate chips. Bake them into this classic cookie recipe for soft chunks of caramelized buttery goodness.

11 of 31

12 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nutty Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Nutty Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

With a chocolate-peanut butter filling that will remind you of your favorite peanut butter cup, this nutty delight is the perfect fit for any fall gathering. 

12 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

This blast from the past is just a delicious and simple to make as you remember. A no-fuss treat, the recipe comes from our February 1986 issue, but we brought it back to delight your taste buds all fall and winter long.

13 of 31

14 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cakey-thick cookies are a cross between a pumpkin muffin and a chocolate chip cookie, making them the ultimate treat for chocolate lovers in the fall.

14 of 31

15 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Crisp on the outside and exceptionally gooey on the inside, it may be impossible to only eat one of these crinkle cookies. 

15 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Peanut Butter Fingers

Peanut Butter Fingers
Credit: Micah Leal

Recipe: Peanut Butter Fingers

These Peanut Butter Fingers play on the beloved combination of peanut butter and dark chocolate, and its complex sweet and salty combination will keep you coming back for another bite.

16 of 31

17 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Kitchen Sink Cookies

Kitchen Sink Cookies
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cookies

Sweet meets salty in this family-favorite recipe that incorporates chopped almonds, chocolate chunks, and crushed corn chips. 

17 of 31

18 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pecan Pie Cookies

Pecan Pie Cookies
Credit: Marisa Spyker

Recipe: Pecan Pie Cookies

Not all occasions call for a full-on pie. With a shortbread crust and a pecan pie filling, these bite-sized pecan pie treats pack in all the best elements of your favorite fall pie. 

18 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

Cowboy Cookies
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

These presidential family-approved cookies are stuffed with chewy, gooey ingredients.

19 of 31

20 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: Micah Leal

Recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

The key ingredient for the best mint chip cookies? It's as easy as mint dark chocolate.

20 of 31

21 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Spiced Pecan Pie Bars

You can't go through the fall season without making these cinnamon pecan bars.

21 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Toasted Oatmeal Cookies

Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
Credit: Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Butterscotch-Toasted Oatmeal Cookies

Butterscotch chips perfectly compliment these oatmeal cookies.

22 of 31

23 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cranberry-Almond Cookies

Cranberry-Almond Cookies
Credit: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Mary Lyn Hill

Recipe: Cranberry-Almond Cookies

This quick and easy dessert is a fruit-lover's treat of choice.

23 of 31

24 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lemon-Almond Bars

Lemon-Almond Bars
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon-Almond Bars

These bars are easy peasy lemon squeezy and mighty tasty too.

24 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Seven-Layer Cookies

Seven-Layer Cookies
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Seven-Layer Cookies

This impressive, flavor-packed treat couldn't be easier—or more delicious.

25 of 31

26 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Caramel-Stuffed Ginger Cookies

Caramel Stuffed Ginger Cookies
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Caramel-Stuffed Ginger Cookies

Take your ginger snaps to the next level by adding a caramel center.

26 of 31

27 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Raspberry Jam Thumbprints

Coconut Thumbprints
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Raspberry Jam Thumbprints

You can substitute whatever preserves or jam you have on hand for the raspberry jam.

27 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Crispy Praline Cookies

Best Cookies Recipes: Crispy Praline Cookies Recipes
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Crispy Praline Cookies

Get the flavor of your favorite New Orleans candy in a quick and easy cookie recipe with a short ingredient list.

28 of 31

29 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Easy Witch's Hat Cookies

Easy Witch's Hat Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Easy Witch's Hat Cookies

You're just four ingredients away from this festive treat.

29 of 31

30 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

WATCH: Fall Baking Cookies and Bars

When the air turns crisp and pumpkin has become a recipe staple that can only mean one thing: fall has officially commenced.

30 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 31

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies
Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Recipe: Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

This 4-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe is a must-have for novice cookie enthusiasts and seasoned bakers alike.

31 of 31

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Southern Living Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 31 Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
    2 of 31 Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
    3 of 31 Apple Pie Cookies
    4 of 31 Caramel-Apple Cookies
    5 of 31 Candy Corn Cookies
    6 of 31 Brown Butter-Caramel Blondies
    7 of 31 Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies
    8 of 31 Pumpkin Spice Cookies
    9 of 31 Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
    10 of 31 Cappuccino Swirl Bars
    11 of 31 Butterscotch Cookies
    12 of 31 Nutty Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
    13 of 31 Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
    14 of 31 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    15 of 31 Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
    16 of 31 Peanut Butter Fingers
    17 of 31 Kitchen Sink Cookies
    18 of 31 Pecan Pie Cookies
    19 of 31 Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies
    20 of 31 Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
    21 of 31 Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
    22 of 31 Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
    23 of 31 Cranberry-Almond Cookies
    24 of 31 Lemon-Almond Bars
    25 of 31 Seven-Layer Cookies
    26 of 31 Caramel-Stuffed Ginger Cookies
    27 of 31 Raspberry Jam Thumbprints
    28 of 31 Crispy Praline Cookies
    29 of 31 Easy Witch's Hat Cookies
    30 of 31 WATCH: Fall Baking Cookies and Bars
    31 of 31 Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    30 Fall Cookie and Bar Recipes Every Baker Needs to Try
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.