Autumn Harvest Cookies

When I bake these autumn harvest cookies, my kitchen instantly feels warm and cozy. The smell of cinnamon, brown sugar, and toasted nuts fills the air. It’s like fall wrapped up in a cookie.

I love how every bite is soft, sweet, and full of flavor. There’s a little crunch, a little chew, and a lot of comfort. These cookies remind me of cool evenings and cozy sweaters.

Sometimes I add raisins or chocolate chips just for fun. They always turn out perfect for sharing with friends or having with tea. It’s my favorite way to bring the season to the table.

So grab your mixing bowl and those fall spices. Let’s make a batch of these autumn harvest cookies that taste just like home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Seasonal Flavor Profile: These cookies combine the best flavors of autumn, including pumpkin pie spice, orange, and dried cranberries.
• Chewy & Soft: The oats provide a hearty chew, while the butter and sugars create a soft texture.
• Quick to Make: From start to finish, you can have these cookies ready in less than an hour.
• Perfect for Sharing: Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, a fall gathering, or just a cozy afternoon at home, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.
• Great for Meal Prep: Bake a batch, store them in an airtight container, and enjoy them for days!

Required Kitchen Tools

Before you get started, here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Mixing Bowls: One for dry ingredients, one for wet ingredients.
• Stand or Hand Mixer: To cream the butter and sugars together.
• Baking Sheets: To bake your cookies on.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: For easy cleanup.
• Cookie Scoop: For evenly sized cookies.
• Cooling Rack: For letting the cookies cool evenly.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious, fall-inspired cookies (the exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base of the dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and spread evenly.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A quintessential fall flavor blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness of the dough.
• Unsalted Butter: For a rich, creamy texture. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deep molasses-like sweetness and richness.
• White Sugar: Helps create a crispy edge while keeping the center soft.
• Eggs: Bind the dough together and provide moisture.
• Orange Extract: A subtle citrus flavor that adds a fresh, zesty note.
• Vanilla Extract: Complements the other flavors and adds depth.
• Rolled Oats: Gives the cookies their chewy texture and hearty feel.
• Dried Cranberries: Tart, chewy, and sweet; they add a pop of color and flavor.
• Chopped Walnuts: Add a nice crunch and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet fruit.

Variations for Autumn Harvest Cookies

This recipe is very versatile, and you can easily customize it based on your preferences. Here are some ways to make this recipe your own:

• Use Pecans Instead of Walnuts: If you’re not a fan of walnuts, substitute them with chopped pecans for a slightly sweeter, richer flavor.
• Add White Chocolate Chips: For an even sweeter cookie, add white chocolate chips to the dough.
• Try Pumpkin Puree: Replace some of the butter with pumpkin puree for a richer autumn flavor.
• Add Ground Flax or Chia Seeds: For added fiber and a nutritional boost, stir in ground flax or chia seeds.
• Use Other Dried Fruits: Swap out cranberries for raisins, dried apricots, or chopped dried figs for a different texture and taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. This step ensures that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed, giving the cookies a consistent texture.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together in a large bowl. Beat for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will help incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies soft and chewy.

3. Add the Eggs and Extracts

Add the eggs, orange extract, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat until fully combined. The eggs will provide moisture, while the extracts will infuse the dough with a lovely, warm flavor.

4. Combine the Dry Ingredients with the Wet Mixture

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage to keep your cookies tender.

5. Stir in the Oats, Cranberries, and Walnuts

Now it’s time to add the rolled oats, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. Fold them into the dough gently with a spatula. These ingredients give the cookies their chewy texture, burst of tartness from the cranberries, and nutty crunch from the walnuts.

6. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

For the best texture, I recommend chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking and results in a thicker, chewy cookie. You can chill the dough for up to 2 hours for even better results.

7. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the sheets.

8. Scoop and Shape the Dough

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into 1.5-2 tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. The dough will spread, so make sure to leave enough space between each cookie.

9. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, and the centers are set but slightly soft. They may look a little underbaked in the center, but they will firm up as they cool. If you like crispier cookies, bake them for an additional minute or two.

10. Cool the Cookies

Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures the cookies firm up while still maintaining their soft and chewy interior.

How to Serve Autumn Harvest Cookies

These cookies are perfect for any occasion. Here are a few ways to enjoy them:

• As a Snack: Pair them with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot apple cider for the ultimate autumn experience.
• For Dessert: Serve them at your fall dinner parties, Thanksgiving dinner, or holiday gatherings as a festive treat.
• With Ice Cream: Place one of these cookies on top of a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a delicious autumn-inspired dessert.
• Gift Them: These cookies make a great homemade gift. Package them in a cute tin or cookie jar and give them to friends and family.

Storing Autumn Harvest Cookies

These cookies store well, so you can enjoy them for several days after baking.

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Refrigeration: If you prefer, you can store the cookies in the fridge for up to a week. They’ll stay fresh and soft.
• Freezing: These cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating the layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Autumn Harvest Cookies – Nutrition Information

Nutrient	Per Serving (1 Cookie)
Calories	185 kcal
Total Fat	9 g
Saturated Fat	5 g
Trans Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	30 mg
Sodium	95 mg
Total Carbohydrates	24 g
Dietary Fiber	1 g
Total Sugars	15 g
Protein	2 g
Calcium	20 mg
Iron	0.8 mg
Potassium	65 mg

Conclusion

These Autumn Harvest Cookies are a perfect blend of comforting fall flavors, with oats, walnuts, dried cranberries, and the warmth of orange and pumpkin pie spice. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with others, they’re sure to bring a smile to anyone who takes a bite. So, grab your ingredients and enjoy baking these fall-inspired treats!