Baking with my girls is one of my favorite pastimes… now. 😂 I definitely had to grow into it with my borderline OCD personality and fear of making a huge mess. We’ve overcome the control factor, though, and now if my youngest asks, “Can we make squishy pumpkin cookies?” in July, I say yes. So I compiled the five easy cookie recipes we bake over and over again throughout the year and put them into one easy list you can come back to whenever you’re in the mood to bake.
I love trying new recipes, but sometimes you just want a good, fail-proof recipe that you know will slap — and these are it.
Why These Are Our Go-To Cookie Recipes
- Easy ingredients
- Kid-friendly
- Good for baking together
- Work for holidays or everyday treats
- Tested and loved by family and friends
1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are almost as famous in my family as my brownies. I’ve been baking them for over 10 years, and they are always good.
They’re one of the most requested cookies by my youngest and basically a signature treat that is expected every holiday season by my family.
If you want a better-than-Crumbl pumpkin chocolate chip cookie, try these.
Best for: fall baking, after-school treats, Halloween season
Get the recipe →
2. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is a recipe I learned from my mom with one minor adjustment since I am no longer buying shortening for my house. 😂
These are a staple. They’re always good, and when I make a double batch, I like to keep half in the freezer to eat as freezer cookies — especially in the summertime.
Best for: lunchboxes, year-round cookie goodness, frozen cookie stash
Get the recipe →
3. Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
You know those crunchy chocolate chip cookies with three M&Ms on top that you can buy from the store? These are basically those — just not as crunchy.
It’s a version of my classic chocolate chip cookie with M&Ms on top. I love making them year-round, and for a festive upgrade, you can use holiday M&Ms to match the season — Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, Fourth of July, whatever.
Best for: year-round baking, holiday cookies, festive treats
Get the recipe →
4. Snickerdoodle Cookies
When you really want to have fun baking with your kids, these are the cookies I like to make.
There are lots of hands-on steps, like rolling the dough into balls and then rolling them in cinnamon sugar, which is super fun for kids and adults alike.
Add in that nostalgic cinnamon sugar cookie flavor and these are a win-win for everyone.
Best for: year-round baking, classic cookies, hands-on fun
Get the recipe →
5. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
I perfected this cookie recipe specifically for my husband because they are his favorite.
I have to say, these are bakery-level but better. They’re so good that the last time I made them, almost all of them went home with my brother-in-law. 😂
When you want a classic, these are the ones to try. The cinnamon-raisin combo hits every time.
Best for: year-round baking, nostalgic cookies, oatmeal raisin lovers
Get the recipe →
Our Favorite Cookie Baking Tips
- Don’t overbake
- Let cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes
- Use a silicone mat or parchment paper
- Scoop dough evenly
- Freeze extra cookie dough balls for later
Which Cookie Should You Make First?
- Want cozy? Pumpkin chocolate chip. These cookies are so soft every time, and that pumpkin spice + chocolate combo just hits.
- Want classic? Chocolate chip. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, am I right? Classics are classics for a reason. These are always good, and they’re my favorite to make as a double batch so I can freeze half for later. Even though we usually just eat them straight out of the freezer anyway. 😂
- Want festive? M&M cookies. This is one of the easiest ways to be festive without trying very hard. Just grab the holiday M&Ms and suddenly you’re on theme for Valentine’s Day, the 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas — whatever.
- Want something nostalgic? Oatmeal raisin. These are my husband’s favorite, and you’d think only older people would appreciate this combo, but nope. My youngest is obsessed too.
- Want a fun cookie kids can help bake? Snickerdoodles. All the little hands-on steps — rolling the dough into balls and coating them in cinnamon sugar — make these so fun for kids of all ages.
More Easy Baking Recipes
- Fudgy Chewy Brownie Recipe
- Sourdough For Beginners
- Sourdough Discard Banana Bread
- Fall Family Bucket List
Cookies Are Always A Good Idea
Cookies are one of those baked goods that are quick, easy, and so fun to make with your kids. My girls are always asking me to bake cookies, and we love doing it together.
They’re also already perfectly portioned and pack really well in lunchboxes for a little extra love from home. I know my girls love having a homemade cookie in their lunch over a store-bought treat.
Which one are you making first?