Fall is here, and there’s nothing quite like the aroma of fresh baked goods filling your home on a crisp autumn day. Whether you’re making treats for a cozy night in, a bake sale, or your Thanksgiving table, this collection of fall dessert recipes has everything you need. From pumpkin-filled favorites to apple-flavored classics, get ready to dust off your pie pans and cookie sheets to start baking. Below, you’ll find some of the best recipes to make your fall season truly special.
Apple and Pumpkin Spice: Fall’s Favorite Flavors
Pumpkin spice is practically synonymous with fall, and for good reason! You’ll find it here in muffins, cakes, cinnamon rolls, and other comforting treats. But don’t forget about other wonderful fall flavors like cinnamon, maple, cranberry, and apple—all featured throughout these delicious recipes. Want to try something different? Bake a caramel apple cheesecake or a maple pecan pie with a twist. With the holidays approaching, there’s no better time to get baking!
1. Classic Apple Crisp
There’s nothing like a classic apple crisp to get you in the fall spirit. This dessert features a perfect balance between a crispy crumble topping and a soft apple layer. The crumble is buttery, crispy but not too crunchy, and spiced with a hint of cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. The fruit layer has just a touch of orange and lemon zest, adding a unique brightness to this decadent dessert.
2. Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Nothing says fall like these chewy pumpkin oatmeal cookies! They’re like pumpkin-spiced oatmeal cream pies, soft with a delightful blend of pumpkin spices and topped with a sweet powdered sugar glaze. Perfect for fall nostalgia, these cookies will quickly become your favorite. One satisfied reader said, “These are now my FAVORITE cookie. I’ve already made them twice.”
3. Mini Pumpkin Pies
If you’re a fan of pumpkin pie but want something more manageable, try these mini pumpkin pies! They’re not just cute—they’re the perfect portion size, meaning fewer calories without sacrificing any of the flavor. Each bite has the ideal ratio of flaky pie crust to creamy pumpkin filling, making them a tasty, healthier option.
4. Apple Cookies
For a quick and easy baking project, apple cookies are a great choice. They’re essentially apple-flavored snickerdoodles, coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture that makes each bite irresistible. With bursts of tart-sweet apple, these cookies are easy to make and don’t require refrigeration of the dough, so you can enjoy them even sooner!
5. Apple Dumplings
Warm, cinnamon-spiced apples wrapped in flaky pastry make these apple dumplings a perfect fall treat. They’re best served warm with a dollop of whipped cream—or, for a truly decadent dessert, with a scoop of ice cream. Get the Recipe
6. Apple Spice Cake
Grated apple is the secret ingredient in this moist, tender apple spice cake. Toasted pecan pieces in the batter and on top add just the right amount of crunch, making this cake perfect for any fall gathering. Get the Recipe
7. Apple Slab Pie
When you need to feed a crowd, apple slab pie is the answer. Made with four pounds of fresh apples, this pie is big enough to satisfy everyone at the table and offers all the delicious flavors of traditional apple pie with a convenient sheet-pan presentation. Get The Recipe
8. Cold-Oven Black Walnut Cake
This unique black walnut cake starts in a cold oven, which allows it to cook evenly without getting too browned around the edges. The result is a rich, dense cake that’s packed with nutty flavor—perfect for fall! Get the recipe
9. Pecan Spinwheel Bread Pudding
This bread pudding takes the classic dessert to the next level by using pecan sweet rolls instead of bread. The result is a rich, sweet, and nutty treat that’s easy to make and perfect for fall. Get The Recipe
10. Apple Cider Caramel Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
This cake gets its name from being poked all over after baking, then filled with a gooey apple cider caramel sauce that infuses every bite with flavor. Top it with cream cheese whipped cream for the ultimate fall dessert. If you’re short on time, store-bought caramel will do, but making your own cider-infused version is definitely worth it! Recipe: Apple Cider Caramel Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
11. Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting
Not a fan of over-spiced gingerbread cookies? This easy gingerbread loaf is just the ticket. It’s moist, tender, and spiced perfectly without any layers to fuss over. The cream cheese frosting adds just the right tangy sweetness. Recipe: Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting
12. Miso-Maple Loaf by Dorie Greenspan
If you’re not in the mood for pumpkin, this miso-maple loaf is a must-try. It has a warm, sweet, and slightly savory flavor, thanks to the miso, which adds a hint of umami without being overpowering. It’s a unique take on fall flavors that will keep your taste buds intrigued. Source: Dorie Greenspan’s Miso-Maple Loaf
13. Spiced Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This spiced cake, developed by Aran Goyoaga, is naturally dairy-free and pairs beautifully with tangy cream cheese frosting. You can use sweet potato, roasted pumpkin, or even canned pumpkin puree to create this tender and aromatic fall dessert. Recipe: Aran Goyoaga’s Spiced Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
14. Cranberry-Orange Pie
Pumpkin pie isn’t the only dessert worthy of your fall table! This cranberry-orange pie has a tart-sweet cranberry filling tempered by a thin layer of cream cheese. It’s a beautiful and festive addition to any holiday spread. Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Pie
15. Salted Caramel Cupcakes
These cupcakes start with a simple box of yellow cake mix, which gets an upgrade with salted caramel sauce, fluffy caramel frosting, and a sprinkling of caramel corn for extra crunch. It’s an easy way to get creative with caramel flavor this fall. Recipe: Salted Caramel Apple Sundae
16. Candy Corn Cookies
Candy corn might not be everyone’s favorite Halloween treat, but these cookies will certainly make the most of it! Soft, sweet, and packed with bits of candy corn, these cookies are perfect for an easy, festive fall treat. Get the Candy Corn Cookies recipe.
17. Football Cereal Treats
These cereal treats are shaped like footballs, making them perfect for a game day get-together. You can use a paring knife to shape them or find a football-shaped cookie cutter to make things even easier. Get the Football Cereal Treats recipe.
18. Caramel Apple Pie
Ree Drummond’s caramel apple pie features tart Granny Smith apples that balance the sweetness of the caramel and brown sugar crumble topping. It’s a surefire hit for any apple lover. Get Ree’s Caramel Apple Pie recipe.
19. Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies
Comfort food at its best, these brown sugar oatmeal cookies are chewy, sweet, and packed with cozy flavors. They’re simple to make and perfect for a relaxing fall afternoon. Get Ree’s Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
20. Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
If you love apple cider doughnuts, then this cake is for you. Covered in a cinnamon-sugar coating, this cake offers all the flavors of your favorite orchard treat and is large enough to share with friends and family. Get the Apple Cider Doughnut Cake recipe.
21. Sweet Potato Pie
This Southern classic is a must for any fall gathering. The sweet and smooth custard filling is enhanced with a hint of bourbon and topped with whipped cream, making it a delicious alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
22. Salted Caramel Cookies
These salted caramel cookies are topped with browned butter caramel and flaky sea salt for a nutty, rich, and completely irresistible treat. Serve them at your next fall gathering and watch your guests’ faces light up. Get Ree’s Salted Caramel Cookies recipe.
23. Butterscotch-Cornflake Apple Crisp
Add a twist to your typical apple crisp by using a crunchy cornflake topping. With vanilla ice cream on the side, this is a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get Ree’s Butterscotch-Cornflake Apple Crisp recipe.
24. Fig Almond Cake
Make the most of fresh figs with this fluffy almond cake, which features hints of floral cardamom that pair beautifully with the sweet figs. It’s a simple yet elegant fall dessert. Get the Fig Almond Cake recipe.
25. Halloween Brownies
Have leftover Halloween candy? These fudgy brownies are the perfect solution. Top them with a rich chocolate glaze and decorate with spooky sprinkles for a fun, festive dessert. Get the Halloween Brownies recipe.
26. Amazing Gluten-Free Layer Bars
With just six ingredients, these gluten-free layer bars are easy to make and taste indulgent. Make sure to check the butterscotch chips for gluten-free labeling if that’s a concern. After a quick bake and a little cooling time, they’re ready to enjoy! View Recipe
27. Boardwalk Quality Maple Walnut Fudge
This creamy maple walnut fudge requires just five ingredients and ten minutes of prep time. Toasting the walnuts brings out even more flavor, making this a must-try for any fudge lover. View Recipe
28. Banana Banana Bread
Banana bread may not be a traditional dessert, but its rich, cake-like texture makes it just as satisfying. Add a clever topping by slicing a banana lengthwise and pressing the halves into the top before baking for a beautiful finish. Recipe: Fluffy & Moist Banana Bread Recipe No Baking Soda
29. Coconut-Cranberry Bars with Pecans
These coconut-cranberry bars are easy to whip up with ingredients like chocolate, pecans, coconut, and dried cranberries. With a graham cracker crust, they’re chewy, nutty, and bursting with flavor. View Recipe
30. Skillet Apple Brownie
This skillet apple brownie is simple and oh-so-delicious. It’s best made in a cast-iron skillet, but a well-greased stainless pan will do just fine. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for a comforting treat. View Recipe
31. Apple Turnovers
Sliced and spiced apples are baked in ready-made puff pastry dough until they’re golden brown and bursting with flaky, buttery, warm apple spice goodness. Honestly, it’s that easy. These turnovers are perfect when you’re craving a simple but satisfying dessert with minimal prep. Enjoy them warm out of the oven with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. View Recipe
For more delightful fall dessert recipes, explore our Easy Dessert Recipes, and Easy Fall Desserts: 30 Irresistible Treats to Sweeten Your Season
