37 Fall Cookie Recipes That Fix Any Bad Day

Rain, traffic, or just general nonsense, 37 fall cookie ideas are ready to fix it. These picks turn rough hours into calmer ones without much thought. Each one feels like a reminder that small wins matter, especially when they’re stacked on a plate. Nothing overly complicated here, just the kind of comfort you wish could be bottled and kept on standby.

A close-up image shows a stack of four chocolate crinkle cookies covered in powdered sugar, revealing their cracked texture. — Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Shortbread Cookies

Cookie tins look stocked with stacks of Shortbread Cookies wrapped up for the worst days. Buttery bites keep everyone going during lunch breaks. Kids line up for seconds after school. Crumbs are wiped clean off the table every time. Nothing beats coming home to a batch ready for snack.
Get the Recipe: Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

A hand holding a chocolate chip cookie on a cooling rack. — Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Lunch bags instantly cheer up with soft Chocolate Chip Cookies tucked next to fruit. Each warm cookie brings relief after tough classes. Friends share the last piece during group study. School events see trays gone fast. Home always smells best after baking a new batch.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Salted Honey Cookies

A stack of three round, golden-brown cookies with chocolate flecks and a sprinkle of salt on top, resting on a cooling rack with more cookies around them. — Salted Honey Cookies. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Sweet and simple snacks go down easy with golden Salted Honey Cookies between meals. Kids ask for them after practice. Adults pack them for busy commutes. Boxes empty quickly during group projects. Even rainy days feel lighter with these cookies.
Get the Recipe: Salted Honey Cookies

Easy Whoopie Pie

Chocolate whoopie pies with cream and powdered sugar. — Easy Whoopie Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Busy days end better with a grab of Easy Whoopie Pie from the kitchen counter. Soft filling stops any bad mood. Friends laugh sharing halves at recess. These pies drift into lunchboxes often. Groups ask for them at sleepovers too.
Get the Recipe: Easy Whoopie Pie

Peanut Butter Cookies

Close-up of a classic peanut butter cookie with the iconic crisscross pattern on top, nestled among a delightful batch of similar peanut butter cookies. — Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crunchy edges from big Peanut Butter Cookies make any rough morning less of a chore. Kids match cookie shapes for fun. Extra cookies go into teacher gift bags. Lunch swaps bring smiles and new friends. Peanut butter always wins at snack time.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cookies

Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Pecans

Close-up of freshly baked cookies with nuts on top, arranged closely together. — Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Pecans. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

School snacks get a boost from chewy Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Pecans loaded in lunch bags. Pecans add just enough crunch after a tough math test. Kids offer these to new classmates for extra points. Last cookies get claimed before heading out. Everyone likes these cookies at bake sales.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Pecans

No Bake Maple Pecan Cookies

No oven days still turn bright with No Bake Maple Pecan Cookies on the table. Each cookie holds up through long homework sessions. Kids take extras for after-dinner treats. Lunch boxes smell sweeter when packed. Cookie platters look empty by bedtime.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Maple Pecan Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Roll Cookies

Close-up of a stack of swirled cookies with a light and dark pattern, showcasing a golden brown color. — Pumpkin Spice Roll Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hard days turn easier with twists of Pumpkin Spice Roll Cookies in boxes for snack time. The swirls catch every eye at breakfast. Friends love trading for the best pieces. New teachers ask for the recipe. These cookies disappear fast from any bake sale.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Roll Cookies

Marry Me Cookies

A stack of four chocolate chip cookies, with the top cookie partly broken, next to a metal container and a ceramic bowl on a light surface. — Marry Me Cookies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Rainy afternoons cheer up with soft Marry Me Cookies fresh from the oven. The centers stay gooey after hours of studying. Kids eat them first at parties. Teachers hint for leftovers. School clubs vote them best snack.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies

Catching up after a rough test is sweeter with thick Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies on the counter. Friends show up after school just for a taste. Kids break cookies open looking for white chips. Extra cookies never reach tomorrow. Siblings ask for these for birthday treats.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies

Vegan Sugar Cookies

Close-up of six sugar-coated cookies on parchment paper. — Vegan Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

School events and playdates get bright when Vegan Sugar Cookies stacked on plates. Kids pick shapes for every mood. Friends trade pieces for fun. No one misses regular cookies at lunch. Even picky eaters reach for another.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Sugar Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookie

Close-up of spiral cookies with red jam filling on parchment paper, reminiscent of Copycat Crumbl Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies, one partially eaten and surrounded by crumbs. — Copycat Crumbl Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fun starts after a tough day with Copycat Crumbl Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookie appears at snack. Each big soft cookie brings back lunchbox memories. Kids break them in half for sharing. Teachers ask for extras on busy days. New friends love the sweet twist.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookie

Banana Pudding Cookies

A stack of white chocolate chip cookies with a bite taken out of the top one, placed on a cooling rack with a banana and peeled banana in the background. — Banana Pudding Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

End-of-the-week jitters fade with chunks of Banana Pudding Cookies on the table. Soft bites have kids running for seconds. Lunch packs fill up fast with extras. The last ones are saved for evening treats. These cookies line up for dessert at every table.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cookies

Heart Shaped Cookies

Notes get sweeter with bright Heart Shaped Cookies packed beside homework folders. Kids share them with friends in need of a laugh. School clubs use them for special days. Even bad mornings start well when these show up. Cookie boxes look empty by noon.
Get the Recipe: Heart Shaped Cookies

Earl Grey Lemon Cookies

Close-up of spiral lemon poppy seed cookies drizzled with white icing and garnished with lemon zest. — Earl Grey Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Homework gets a lift with snappy Earl Grey Lemon Cookies handed out at the counter. The mix brings out smiles halfway through busy afternoons. Adults keep them for coffee breaks. Friends pair them with school lunch. Extra cookies go with books and movie nights.
Get the Recipe: Earl Grey Lemon Cookies

Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Busy schedules handle setbacks easier when Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are packed for later. Every slice rests soft and gooey even hours after baking. Kids trade bars during recess. Lunches get sweeter with extra pieces. These never last past the first round.
Get the Recipe: Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Lemon Cookies

Sour moments turn sweet with chewy Lemon Cookies packed among snacks. Kids love the tang on study breaks. Friends chase the last cookie after gym. These come out for celebrations or movie night too. Even cloudy days brighten with each bite.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Cookies

Day of the Dead Cookies

Decorated sugar cookies shaped like skulls with colorful icing, designed to resemble traditional Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls, are arranged with small decorative leaves. — Day of the Dead Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Classrooms fill with color when Day of the Dead Cookies appear at the end of a rough day. Kids decorate faces for fun. Lunch hour turns into sharing time for all. Everyone saves extras for home. The last cookie stays hidden till after reading time.
Get the Recipe: Day of the Dead Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

Hard homework melts away with thick Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies stacked high. The swirl always gets picked first at snack time. School trays finish fast. Friends love the big size for sharing. These cookies end up as birthday party favorites.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

Cookie Monster Cookies

Laughs bounce around lunchrooms with blue Cookie Monster Cookies mixed in every snack box. Kids race for the brightest cookie. Cartoon faces spark new jokes. Teachers ask for extras for after school. The jar empties before the day is done.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Monster Cookies

Ladybug Chocolate Covered Oreos

Colorful ladybug-themed cookies with red tops and chocolate bases, decorated with googly eyes, sit on a bed of rainbow paper shreds. — Ladybug Chocolate Covered Oreos. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Even mistakes fade away with packs of Ladybug Chocolate Covered Oreos in their lunch. Kids love the designs for snaps and swaps. These get picked first for class parties. Friends ask for the bug cookies every year. No box lasts for the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Ladybug Chocolate Covered Oreos

Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

School stress loosens with Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting during study time. The creamy topping draws lots of attention. Kids take extras for club meetings. Lunch packs get tucked in with these cookies. Parents keep leftovers for their own snack.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Marshmallow Swirl Cookies

Close-up of a marshmallow swirl cookie with a bite taken out, revealing its gooey interior and white filling. Other cookies are partially visible in the background. — Marshmallow Swirl Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Library days get brighter when Marshmallow Swirl Cookies are brought out for everyone. Sticky centers disappear by story time. Kids request extra for movie nights. Lunch trays get extra cheers with these cookies. Friends want the secret to making them.
Get the Recipe: Marshmallow Swirl Cookies

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

A close-up of several oatmeal cookies stacked and scattered on parchment paper, with one cookie broken in half to show the inside texture. — Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Rainy weather means soft Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies make an entrance at snack time. Kids dunk them into warm drinks. Teachers love them during break. Batches sell out fast at school events. Leftovers vanish when parents look for snacks.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie Recipe

Enjoy these delectable cookies topped with white frosting, chocolate chips, and small cookie dough pieces—a perfect Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie recipe. — Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie Recipe. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Even Mondays get better with chilled Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie Recipe stacked in fridge. Cookie bites remind kids of fresh baking days. Friends find ways to get extras. No one leaves pieces behind. School meetings ask for these at break time.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie Recipe

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

A stack of chocolate cookies with a bottle of milk in the background on a white surface. — Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hard weeknights seem softer with big Double Chocolate Chip Cookies packed low in snack jars. Kids count chocolate chips in every bite. These cookies go first at group study. Lunches feel new with these cookies tucked in. Friends thank whoever brings them.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hot Cocoa Cookies

A close-up of a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips and small white marshmallows on top. — Hot Cocoa Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cold walks home end on a high when Hot Cocoa Cookies are waiting in the kitchen. Gooey centers pair with any drink. Kids sprinkle extra bits for fun. Even grown-ups fight for the last cookie. Cookie tins are empty before dinner starts.
Get the Recipe: Hot Cocoa Cookies

Soft Thin Mint Chocolate Cookies

Close-up of Thin Mint Chocolate Cookies with green frosting and chocolate drizzle on top. — Soft Thin Mint Chocolate Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bad moods fade with chewy Soft Thin Mint Chocolate Cookies lining up for dessert. Sharp flavors catch attention after hard classes. Lunch trays go clean fast. Extras get saved for late-night snacks. These cookies are always a group favorite.
Get the Recipe: Soft Thin Mint Chocolate Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies

Close-up of a frosted cookie with a bite taken out, sprinkled with cinnamon, on a parchment surface. — Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

School crowd turns eager when batches of Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies show up. Kids ask how the caramel fits without leaking. Lunch trades peak with these cookies. Even teachers note them for special days. Trays come back empty every time.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Sour moods sweeten quickly with rounds of Chocolate Cherry Cookies for after-school snacks. Cherry chunks spark questions from friends. Kids reach for these every birthday. School clubs vote them the top pick. Trays show up empty after events.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies

A delectable close-up of a Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookie, crowned with a swirl of rich chocolate frosting, resting on a pristine white surface. — Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Homework helpers get excited when thick Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies pile up in lunch bags. Frosting stays neat after packing. Kids call them mini cakes by accident. Friends split their cookie down the middle. Requests for more always arrive next day.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies

Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies

Close up image of lemon blueberry muffin cookies on a wooden board. — Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Even tough mornings get easy with chewy Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies for breakfast. Kids spot berries first before taking a bite. Friends swap cookies at the lunch table. Each piece helps wake up the group. Teachers mention these for school parties.
Get the Recipe: Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies

Spiced Apple Cookies

Close-up of three stacked cookies topped with a chunky fruit filling and a sprinkle of crumbs, placed near an apple. — Spiced Apple Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cold mornings warm up when handing out Spiced Apple Cookies before class. School kids pack extras for sharing at recess. These cookies go great with any drink. Snacks taste better after sports practice. Parents ask for more after trying one.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Apple Cookies

Vegan Amaretti Cookies

A white cup of coffee on a saucer sits next to several powdered sugar cookies on a pink cloth, with one cookie partially eaten. — Vegan Amaretti Cookies. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Food allergies get a break with soft Vegan Amaretti Cookies sitting out for everyone. Kids grab them thinking nothing is missing. Clubs host bake sales and sell these first. Lunches fit better with extras in pockets. Cookie tins never stay full for long.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Amaretti Cookies

Vegan Apple Cookies with Oatmeal

Bad days fade away with chewy Vegan Apple Cookies with Oatmeal next to homework books. Moms pick these for playdates often. Kids love them for lunch or snack. School clubs keep extras in teacher lounges. These cookies are always gone by evening.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Apple Cookies with Oatmeal

Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies

A close-up of a plate, filled with multiple golden-brown chocolate chip cookies. — Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Indian Cookbook.

Rainy afternoons get an instant fix from big Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies made ahead for snacks. Kids show surprise no eggs even went in. School groups split one after hard tests. Packed lunches taste sweeter with a few added in. No one notices the difference at snack time.
Get the Recipe: Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Hard days end up better with soft Chocolate Crinkle Cookies rolled in extra powder. The cracked surface tempts kids for another round. Teachers mention these for class parties. Friends take them for group study. Cookie plates clean up fast at night.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.