15 Best Back To School Cookie Recipes

If there’s one thing that can turn a long school day into something a little sweeter, it’s the promise of a homemade cookie tucked into the lunchbox. I’ll be the first to admit I love baking a fresh batch—something about that warm, just-out-of-the-oven smell feels like an instant hug.

The best part? Cookies don’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re team chewy chocolate chip or a fan of sneaky healthy treats, there’s a recipe here to make every kid (and let’s be real, every grown-up too) smile.

These 15 back-to-school cookie recipes are easy, delicious, and perfect for making ahead. Some are freezer-friendly, some are packed with protein, and all of them are guaranteed to disappear fast.

Let’s get your kitchen smelling amazing—here are the 15 recipes to get started!

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1. Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Description:
Soft, buttery, and loaded with gooey chocolate chips—these cookies are a timeless lunchbox favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Scoop dough onto lined baking sheets.
8. Bake 10–12 minutes until golden on the edges.

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2. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Description:
Hearty, chewy cookies with a rich peanut butter flavor and wholesome oats.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
4. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.

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3. No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Description:
These fudgy, no-bake treats come together fast and taste like a candy bar.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups quick oats
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
3. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
4. Stir in oats, coconut, and vanilla.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper.
6. Let cool and set completely.

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4. Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Description:
These fluffy cookies are perfect for fall—packed with warm spices and pumpkin purée.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
3. Mix in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
5. Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet mixture.
6. Drop dough onto baking sheets.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes until set.

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5. Sunbutter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Nut-Free!)

Description:
These nut-free cookies are safe for school and still deliver amazing peanut-buttery flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Sunbutter (sunflower seed butter)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream Sunbutter, butter, and brown sugar.
3. Beat in egg and vanilla.
4. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
5. Stir into wet mixture.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Scoop dough onto lined baking sheets.
8. Bake 10–12 minutes.

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6. Healthy Breakfast Cookies

Description:
These soft cookies are loaded with oats, banana, and just enough chocolate to keep kids happy.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine mashed bananas, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla.
3. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
4. Drop heaping spoonfuls onto lined baking sheets.
5. Flatten slightly.
6. Bake 10–12 minutes until set.

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7. Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies

Description:
Soft cinnamon-sugar cookies that practically melt in your mouth.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon (for rolling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet.
6. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
7. Roll dough into balls, then coat in cinnamon sugar.
8. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

8. Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Description:
Soft, rich, and studded with melty chocolate chips—these cookies taste like a brownie in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and both sugars until fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet mixture.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Scoop dough onto lined baking sheets.
8. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are set.

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9. Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Description:
Chewy sugar cookies bursting with colorful sprinkles—perfect for brightening any lunchbox.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture.
6. Fold in sprinkles.
7. Scoop onto baking sheets.
8. Bake 9–11 minutes until just set.

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10. Lemon Glazed Shortbread Cookies

Description:
Tender buttery cookies with a bright lemon glaze—simple and refreshing.

Ingredients:
Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Mix in flour and salt until dough forms.
4. Roll into 1-inch balls and flatten slightly on baking sheet.
5. Bake 12–15 minutes until edges are golden.
6. Cool completely.
7. Whisk glaze ingredients together.
8. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

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11. Healthy Apple Oat Cookies

Description:
Naturally sweetened with applesauce and loaded with oats—perfect for a wholesome treat.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk applesauce, honey, egg, and vanilla.
3. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
4. Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto lined baking sheets.
6. Bake 10–12 minutes until set.

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12. S’mores Cookies

Description:
All the flavor of campfire s’mores packed into a soft, gooey cookie.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed graham crackers

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture.
6. Fold in marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham cracker pieces.
7. Scoop dough onto baking sheets.
8. Bake 10–12 minutes until golden.

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13. Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten-Free)

Description:
Soft and chewy gluten-free cookies made with almond flour for extra protein.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk coconut oil, honey, egg, and vanilla.
3. Stir in almond flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
6. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are golden.

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14. Chewy Molasses Cookies

Description:
Warm spices and rich molasses make these cookies irresistibly chewy and comforting.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
3. Mix in molasses and egg.
4. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
5. Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture.
6. Roll dough into balls and coat in sugar.
7. Bake 8–10 minutes until tops crackle.

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15. Soft Carrot Cake Cookies

Description:
Tender cookies with warm spices and shredded carrots—like carrot cake in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture.
6. Stir in shredded carrots.
7. Scoop dough onto lined baking sheets.
8. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden.