13 Simple Cookie Recipes Perfect for Any Occasion

Nothing beats the smell of fresh cookies baking in your kitchen. These easy recipes turn simple ingredients into delicious treats that everyone will love.

From no-bake options to classic favorites, each recipe delivers amazing results without complicated steps or fancy equipment.

01. Soft Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

Tender spiced cookies that taste like autumn in every bite. These soft treats combine the best of pumpkin pie and sugar cookies in one perfect dessert.

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup pumpkin puree, 1 large egg.

How To Make Soft Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until evenly combined.

2. In a large bowl, mix oil and sugar until well blended. Add pumpkin puree and egg, stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no streaks remaining.

3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix or the cookies will become tough.

4. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly soft and golden.

02. Birthday Cake Mix Cookies

Colorful funfetti cookies made with cake mix for ultimate convenience. Perfect for celebrations or when you need a quick sweet treat that tastes like birthday cake.

Ingredients: 1 box funfetti cake mix, 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles, ½ cup powdered sugar for rolling.

How To Make Birthday Cake Mix Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and oil, stirring until a soft dough forms.

2. Fold in the rainbow sprinkles gently to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without breaking them. The dough will be slightly sticky, which is perfect.

3. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in powdered sugar until completely coated. This creates a beautiful crackled appearance when baked.

4. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set and tops look slightly cracked. Centers should still be soft when you remove them from the oven.

5. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

03. Chewy Almond Butter Cookies

Rich and nutty cookies perfect for anyone avoiding peanut butter. These chewy treats have a wonderful almond flavor and soft texture that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients: 1 cup almond butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup sliced almonds.

How To Make Chewy Almond Butter Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure your almond butter is well-stirred if it has separated.

2. In a large bowl, mix almond butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add egg and vanilla, beating until the mixture is well combined and slightly fluffy.

3. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the mixture, then stir until just incorporated. Fold in half the sliced almonds, saving the rest for topping.

4. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Gently press remaining almonds on top of each cookie for extra crunch and visual appeal.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown but centers still look soft. Don’t overbake or they’ll lose their chewy texture. Cool on the pan for 3 minutes before transferring.

04. Natural No-Bake Cookies

Wholesome no-bake cookies sweetened naturally without processed sugar. These satisfying treats cure your sweet tooth while keeping you energized instead of sluggish.

Ingredients: 2 cups old-fashioned oats, ½ cup natural peanut butter, ⅓ cup honey, ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt.

How To Make Natural No-Bake Cookies

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil.

2. Microwave the mixture for 30-45 seconds until the coconut oil is melted and everything combines easily when stirred. Add vanilla and salt, mixing well.

3. Add oats to the warm mixture and stir until every oat is coated with the peanut butter mixture. The warmth helps everything stick together perfectly.

4. Fold in chocolate chips while the mixture is still slightly warm, so they soften just a little but don’t completely melt.

5. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, pressing each cookie slightly to help them hold together. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until firm and set.

05. Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free cookies that taste just like the classic version. You won’t believe these healthy alternatives deliver such authentic chocolate chip cookie flavor and texture.

Ingredients: 2 cups almond flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅓ cup coconut oil (melted), ⅓ cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips.

How To Make Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, baking soda, and salt until no lumps remain.

2. In a separate bowl, combine melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Make sure the coconut oil isn’t too hot or it will cook the other ingredients.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. The dough will be slightly softer than traditional cookie dough, which is normal.

4. Fold in chocolate chips gently, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. I like to reserve a few chips to press on top of each cookie before baking.

5. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie slightly with your fingers since they won’t spread much during baking.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown and centers are set. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to prevent breaking.

06. Rich No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies

Decadent no-bake cookies packed with chocolate and hearty oats. These fudgy treats satisfy chocolate cravings instantly without turning on your oven.

Ingredients: 2 cups granulated sugar, ½ cup milk, ½ cup butter, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 cups old-fashioned oats, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt.

How To Make Rich No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder over medium heat.

2. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Once boiling, let it bubble for exactly 60 seconds while continuing to stir.

3. Remove from heat immediately and quickly stir in vanilla and salt. The mixture will be very hot and bubbly, so be careful during this step.

4. Add oats all at once and stir vigorously until every oat is coated with the chocolate mixture. Work quickly since the mixture will start to set as it cools.

5. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto prepared baking sheets, working fast before it becomes too thick to scoop. Let cookies cool completely at room temperature until firm, about 30 minutes.

07. Coconut Oil Sugar Cookies

Classic sugar cookies made with coconut oil for extra moisture and subtle tropical flavor. These tender cookies have a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup coconut oil (softened), ½ cup butter (softened), 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

How To Make Coconut Oil Sugar Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.

2. In a large bowl, cream together softened coconut oil, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. The mixture should look pale and airy.

3. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.

4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix or the cookies will be tough.

5. Roll dough into 1½-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.

6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers still look soft. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

08. Classic Drop Sugar Cookies

Simple drop sugar cookies that look bakery-perfect every time. The easy-to-handle dough creates beautifully round cookies with tender centers and slightly crisp edges.

Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup butter (softened), 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, colored sugar for sprinkling.

How To Make Classic Drop Sugar Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla.

3. Gradually add flour mixture to the creamed mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

4. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. For perfectly round cookies, roll the dough into balls before placing on sheets.

5. Flatten each cookie slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in colored sugar, creating beautiful sparkly tops and ensuring even baking.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and lightly golden. Centers should still look soft when you remove them from the oven for the perfect texture.

09. Simple 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Amazingly delicious cookies using just three pantry staples. These rich, chewy treats prove that sometimes the simplest recipes create the most satisfying results.

Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg.

How To Make Simple 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure your peanut butter is well-stirred and at room temperature for easy mixing.

2. In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and sugar, mixing until smooth and well combined. The mixture will be thick but should blend easily.

3. Add the egg and mix thoroughly until the dough is uniform and slightly glossy. The dough will be softer than traditional cookie dough, which is exactly right.

4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Using a fork, create the classic crisscross pattern on top of each cookie, pressing down gently.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and lightly golden. The centers will look slightly underbaked, but they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan after removal.

6. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’ll be very soft when hot but will firm up as they cool.

10. Cookie Butter Cookies

Irresistible cookies made with popular cookie butter spread. These unique treats combine the beloved flavor of speculoos cookies in a soft, chewy cookie form.

Ingredients: 1 cup cookie butter, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup mini chocolate chips.

How To Make Cookie Butter Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Make sure your cookie butter is at room temperature and well-stirred for easy mixing.

2. In a large bowl, mix cookie butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and beat until the mixture is well combined and slightly fluffy.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the cookie butter mixture, stirring until just combined.

4. Fold in chocolate chips gently, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, which creates the perfect chewy texture.

5. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Don’t flatten them as they’ll spread naturally during baking.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look soft and slightly underbaked. Cool on the pan for 3 minutes before transferring to prevent breaking.

11. Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

Bright and citrusy cake-cookie hybrids bursting with lemon flavor. These soft, cake-like treats melt in your mouth and deliver sunshine in every single bite.

Ingredients: 1 box lemon cake mix, 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, ½ cup powdered sugar for rolling.

How To Make Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

2. Mix until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. The fresh lemon juice and zest will make the dough more moist than typical cake mix cookies, creating amazing flavor.

3. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.

4. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. The powdered sugar coating will create beautiful crackled tops as the cookies bake and spread.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and tops look crackled but centers still appear soft. Don’t overbake or they’ll lose their tender, cake-like texture.

6. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to wire racks. Handle gently as they’ll be very tender when warm.

12. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies

Elegant shortbread cookies perfect for dipping in chocolate and decorating. These buttery treats present beautifully and can be customized with various toppings for special occasions.

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup butter (softened), ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 8 oz dark chocolate (chopped), assorted toppings like chopped nuts or sprinkles.

How To Make Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt until combined.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract until well incorporated.

3. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix or the shortbread will be tough.

4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets. Flatten each cookie with a fork or the bottom of a glass to about ¼-inch thickness.

5. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers still look pale. Cool completely on wire racks before dipping in chocolate.

6. Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. Dip half of each cooled cookie in chocolate, then sprinkle with desired toppings.

7. Place dipped cookies on parchment paper and refrigerate for 15 minutes until chocolate sets completely. Store in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper.

13. Fudgy Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Ultra-rich chocolate cookies made with devil’s food cake mix. These fudgy treats are incredibly moist and deliver intense chocolate flavor that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients: 1 box devil’s food cake mix, 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup mini chocolate chips, ¼ cup cocoa powder for dusting.

How To Make Fudgy Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and oil, stirring until a thick, fudgy dough forms.

2. Fold in mini chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. The dough will be quite soft and sticky, which creates the perfect fudgy texture.

3. Place cocoa powder in a shallow bowl for rolling. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into balls, then roll each ball in cocoa powder until lightly coated.

4. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Don’t flatten them as they’ll spread naturally and create the perfect chewy edges with soft centers.

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly soft and underbaked. Overbaking will make them cake-like instead of fudgy.

6. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. They’ll continue to set as they cool while maintaining their moist, fudgy interior.

Final Thoughts

These simple cookie recipes prove that homemade treats don’t require complicated techniques or specialty ingredients. Each recipe delivers amazing results with basic pantry staples.

Keep these recipes handy for whenever cookie cravings strike. Your kitchen will smell incredible and everyone will think you’re a baking genius.