Bake Like We Used To: Old-Fashioned Cookies to Bring Back

Fall has a way of making us crave warmth and comfort, and nothing feels more inviting than a batch of homemade cookies. Old-fashioned recipes bring back that sense of tradition, often using simple ingredients that fill the kitchen with familiar, cozy aromas.

These timeless cookies are more than just sweet treats, they carry memories of family gatherings and seasonal celebrations. Each one has its own story, whether it’s a spiced cookie perfect for chilly evenings or a soft classic enjoyed with a cup of tea.

Bringing these recipes into your kitchen is like adding a touch of nostalgia to the season. They remind us that sometimes the best flavors come from the past and continue to bring joy year after year.

Chocolate Rugelach

These bite-sized pastries have a flaky, buttery dough wrapped around a chocolate filling that melts perfectly as they bake. The dough is often enriched with cream cheese, which makes it soft yet sturdy. They’re rolled up, brushed with a little egg wash, and baked until golden for a rich, chocolatey treat.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Rugelach

Melting Moments Cookies

True to their name, these cookies practically dissolve the second you take a bite. They’re made with cornstarch and powdered sugar for an ultra-tender texture. Lightly dusted with sugar, they’re a lovely choice when you want something simple yet elegant.
Get the Recipe: Melting Moments Cookies

Kitchen Sink Cookies

These cookies are loaded with all kinds of mix-ins like chocolate, nuts, pretzels, and sometimes even potato chips. The fun part is that no two batches are exactly alike. They’re a great way to use up pantry extras while making something sweet and chewy.
Get the Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cookies

Quick Pudding Cookies

Adding pudding mix to cookie dough keeps them soft and moist long after baking. They’re quick to put together and can be flavored with different pudding varieties. Perfect for when you want a cookie that stays chewy instead of crisping up.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pudding Cookies

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin puree gives these cookies a tender texture with a warm, seasonal flavor. Oats add a hearty bite, while chocolate chips balance things with sweetness. They’re especially good in fall but taste great year-round.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are all about getting that perfect balance, crispy edges with a soft, gooey center. Using just the right ratio of butter, sugar, and chocolate makes them hard to resist. They’re a classic comfort cookie with a bit of flair.
Get the Recipe: Victory Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

No oven required for these chewy chocolate treats. They’re made with cocoa, oats, and a touch of peanut butter, which sets them into a fudgy, hearty cookie. Great for a quick dessert or an easy snack.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Meringue Cookies

Whipped egg whites and sugar transform into airy, crisp cookies that feel light as a feather. They can be piped into different shapes and flavored with vanilla, almond, or even cocoa. A great option if you want a treat that isn’t too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Meringue Cookies

Iced Molasses Cookies

These spiced cookies are rich with molasses and warm flavors like cinnamon and ginger. Once baked, they’re topped with a sweet glaze that sets to a light crunch. Perfect for holiday baking or a cozy afternoon snack.
Get the Recipe: Iced Molasses Cookies

Lemon Puff Cookies

With their delicate layers and a bright hint of lemon, these cookies are light yet flavorful. They’re often dusted with powdered sugar, giving them a pretty finish. Refreshing and crisp, they make a nice contrast to heavier desserts.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Puff Cookies

Banana Pudding Cookies

Banana pudding mix makes these cookies moist and flavorful without being overpowering. They often include white chocolate chips or crushed vanilla wafers for extra texture. Think of them as banana pudding in cookie form.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cookies

Chewy S’more Cookies

All the flavors of campfire s’mores packed into a soft cookie. They’re loaded with marshmallows, chocolate chunks, and bits of graham crackers. Chewy in the center with little gooey pockets of marshmallow, messy in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Chewy S’more Cookies

Strawberry Rhubarb Bars

These bars pair sweet strawberries with tart rhubarb over a buttery base. A crumbly topping gives them texture and just the right amount of crunch. They’re a fresh, fruity option for spring and summer.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Bars

Chewy Lemon Cookies

Bright and tangy, these cookies are soft with a pleasant chew. A bit of lemon juice and zest gives them a fresh flavor that isn’t too sweet. They’re simple yet refreshing, especially for warm days.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Lemon Cookies

Pecan Pie bars

These bars capture everything you love about pecan pie but in handheld form. A shortbread crust holds a rich, nutty filling that sets beautifully after baking. They’re great for parties or when you want pie without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie bars

Rocky Road Cookies

Inspired by the classic ice cream flavor, these cookies combine chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts. They’re soft and chewy with little bursts of sweetness and crunch. Perfect if you like a cookie with lots of mix-ins.
Get the Recipe: Rocky Road Cookies

Almond Crescent Cookies

Shaped like little crescents, these cookies are buttery with a delicate almond flavor. After baking, they’re rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. They’re tender, crumbly, and a timeless classic.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

Hershey Kiss Cookie

A peanut butter or sugar cookie base is topped with a Hershey’s Kiss right in the center. The warm cookie helps the chocolate soften just enough without melting completely. Simple to make and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Hershey Kiss Cookie

Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice S’mores Cookies

These cookies combine the cozy flavor of pumpkin spice with marshmallows and chocolate. Using the air fryer makes them quick to bake while still keeping that gooey center. A seasonal twist on a fun classic.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pumpkin Spice S’mores Cookies

Corn Flake Cookies

Corn flakes add a light crunch to these sweet cookies. They’re often made with peanut butter or butterscotch chips for extra flavor. Easy to whip up and surprisingly addictive.
Get the Recipe: Corn Flake Cookies

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

These cookies are a spin on the beloved Texas sheet cake, rich and chocolatey with a fudgy frosting. They’re soft and almost brownie-like in the middle. A crowd-pleaser that feels familiar yet different.
Get the Recipe: Texas Sheet Cake Cookies