77 Fall Dessert Recipes That Go Way Beyond Pumpkin Spice
Whenever we arrive at sweater weather, it's clear that there's no better way to warm up than making a bunch of cozy desserts. After all, isn't that the point of fall? Okay, so maybe there are other things to look forward, but for Team Delish, it's all about maximizing all our favorite fall flavors, like pumpkin, maple, apple, and cinnamon. No matter what fall flavor team you're on, these 77 fall dessert recipes will have you more than ready to pre-heat the oven to bake up pumpkin pies, honey cake, maple butter blondies, and French apple tarts.
Not the biggest fan of all the pumpkin-spiced craziness? We get it. It's a lot! Luckily, we've got plenty of festive fall treats with no pumpkin in sight. Personally, there's nothing more cozy than making a batch of walnut and pistachio baklava, spicy bizcochitos, or caramel-y alfajores. Our copycat Starbucks Cranberry bliss bars, sweet potato bread, and apple dumplings will be sure to help you celebrate the changing seasons.
Speaking of apples: You can catch us outside happily apple picking all season long. Or maybe simply scarfing down fresh cider donuts. Same thing, right? If you've never been, we've got all the tips for apple picking as well as how to use all the different apple types you bring home. We highly suggest using your fresh picked apples for this apple cider donut cake.
We love all the ways people all around the world celebrate fall and the autumn holidays (especially the treats that go with them). Mooncakes are a popular sweet treat to consume during the mid-autumn festival in Chinese culture to celebrate the harvest season and the fullest moon. They're a perfect project recipe that are as delicious as they are impressive. The same is true of pan de muerto, a Mexican sweet bread is eaten during the weeks around Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Apple Cider Donuts
As soon as we even think we feel a slight chill in the air, we're craving an apple cider donut. These ones are baked, which yields a soft, dense donut, and brushed in butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. One bite, and you'll feel transported to an apple orchard.
Get the Apple Cider Donuts recipe.
Carmelitas
Layered with a buttery brown sugar oat mixture, a homemade caramel sauce, and melty chocolate chips, these bars have everything we could ever want. Plus, they’re ready in under an hour, making them the perfect last-minute addition to your holiday party (or even when you’re just craving a sweet treat).
Get the Carmelitas recipe.
Bloomin' Apples
We took inspo from the ever popular bloomin' onion and made a just-as-fun fall dessert. Though these finished bloomin' apples look crazy impressive, they're actually quite easy to make. Once you get cutting them down (it's easier than you think—watch the video for help), all you need to do is fill with chewy caramel squares, brush with melted butter, and bake! Top with vanilla ice cream and a caramel drizzle, and you just might say goodbye to apple pie.
Get the Bloomin' Apples recipe.
Pumpkin Cake
We are OBSESSED with this sheet cake. It's easily one of our favorite pumpkin desserts (and that's saying something!). Not only does it actually tastes like pumpkin, it's got a perfect cream cheese frosting that takes it over the top.
Get the Pumpkin Cake recipe.
Cinnamon Bun Popcorn
Forget caramel corn—cinnamon bun popcorn is the sweet snack you need. This classic movie snack gets an extra sweet upgrade with the addition of a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and a simple powdered sugar glaze. We're all about savory popcorn (taco night popcorn or sushi popcorn, anyone?), but when we're looking for a sugary sweet treat, this popcorn hits all the right notes.
Get the Cinnamon Bun Popcorn recipe.
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cake
Featuring three layers of tender, lightly spiced apple cidercake sandwiched with apple pie filling, buttery crumble, and salted caramel, this apple crumble cake recipe will delight and impress anyone who’s lucky enough to snag a piece.
Get the Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cake recipe.
Dirty Chai Blondies
This blondie will solve all of your afternoon cravings. The chewy-yet-tender brown sugar base is swirled with chai spice and espresso-spiked caramel, then topped with a black tea glaze to create a decadent and satisfying snack. Skip the coffee shop pastry and enjoy this treat throughout the day as an afternoon pick-me-up, after dinner for an easy dessert, or even as an extra-sweet breakfast.
Get the Dirty Chai Blondies recipe.
Homemade Churros
Many countries have adopted the churro since its creation and our version is a hybrid of the Mexican version, which is characteristically rolled in cinnamon sugar, and the Spanish version, which is often served with a chocolate dipping sauce. You could even start your day with a churro theme by making churro French toast!
Get the Homemade Churros recipe.
Cranberry Apple Pie
Just like sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes, apple pie is a Thanksgiving staple. Why not push it further into the holidays by adding tart fresh cranberries into the mix?
Get the Cranberry Apple Pie recipe.
No-Churn Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream
Dessert leftovers might get overlooked, but you’ll want to save a few slices of your Thanksgiving pie to make this easy no-churn caramel apple pie ice cream. Plus, this fresh, rich ice cream features a simplified alternative to using an ice cream maker, so it's almost too easy to whip up.
Get the No-Churn Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream recipe.
Cranberry Bread Pudding
This autumnal take on bread pudding is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and rich. With bright pops of cranberries, almond- and clove-scented custard, and a sweet icing made with orange zest, it’s impressive enough to serve for dessert (but not to sweet to serve as breakfast the next day too!).
Get the Cranberry Bread Pudding recipe.
Apple Cider Whoopie Pies
Picture all the delightfulness of an apple cider donut, stuffed full of cream cheese frosting and drizzled in salted caramel, and you'll have these incredible whoopie pies. Best part? They're pretty straightforward to make!
Get the Apple Cider Whoopie Pies recipe.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Butterscotch Blondies
Love a salty-sweet dessert? Prepare to meet your new obsession. Studded with pretzels and butterscotch chips, these rich peanut butter blondies rival any brownie or magic bar out there.
Get the Peanut Butter Pretzel Butterscotch Blondies recipe.
Bizcochitos
These anise and cinnamon scented cookies are the official state cookie of New Mexico! Though these cookies vary a bit in style depending where you are in the state, typically they are made with lard or butter, and cut into flower, star, or moon shapes. The anise seeds are crucial for that delicate floral licorice-y flavor, as is a dusting of cinnamon-sugar for added sweetness.
Get the Bizcochitos recipe.
Brown Butter Pumpkin Blondies
The rich, nutty taste of brown butter makes these pumpkin blondies even better and the perfect fall treat. Pumpkin adds a lot of moisture to baked goods, which keeps these blondies soft and tender, but they’re still slightly chewy in the center, the way the best blondies are.
Get the Brown Butter Pumpkin Blondies recipe.
Apple Butter Pie
Want something that couldn’t be easier to put together and to eat? This pie, a cross between a pumpkin and a Dutch apple pie, is adorned with an irresistible crunchy crumble. Buy apple butter at most grocery stores or make your own!
Get the Apple Butter Pie recipe.
Brown Butter Apple Blondies
If you’re not already on the brown butter train, these blondies will have you on board in two seconds flat. Filled with tender apples and drizzled with a creamy brown butter frosting, these brown butter blondies are the definition of an irresistible packable treat.
Get the Brown Butter Apple Blondies recipe.
Butter Pecan Cheesecake
Toasty, buttery pecans turn a classic cheesecake into an even more decadent and rich dessert. It’s perfect as is, but top it off with whipped cream and even more pecans to make it the best slice of cheesecake you'll ever try.
Get the Butter Pecan Cheesecake recipe.
Sweet Potato Cake
What makes this sweet potato cake so completely irresistible? We think it's the frosting. It's got a super fun secret ingredient—marshmallow fluff! Sweet potato casserole lovers will FLIP.
Get the Sweet Potato Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Is it a sandwich cookie? Or a handheld little cake? To be honest, we're still unclear. What we do know is that this autumnal spin on the classic American whoopie pie gives us an unreasonable amount of joy once the weather starts to cool down. (Or as soon as September hits.)
Get the Pumpkin Whoopie Pies recipe.
Apple Crumble Pie
Can't decide between a classic apple pieand a crispy-topped apple crumble? We have good news—this hybrid of the two is just as good as it sounds!
Get the Apple Crumble Pie recipe.
Apple Spice Cake
When baking, it’s best to use a robust apple like Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp. It should be sweet, tart, and sturdy—nothing is worse than eating a flavorless mealy apple pie. In the case of this apple cake, Pink Ladies live up to all of your baked apple expectations: lightly sweet, tart, crisp, and sturdy.
Get the Apple Spice Cake recipe.
Mini Pumpkin Pies
A classic pumpkin pie is a standard at Thanksgiving dinner, but what to do when there are more diners than slices? Or what if you're more of a crust-lover than filling? Enter these adorable mini pumpkin pies, which rethink the ratio of crust to filling and do it in a snack-able package.
Get the Mini Pumpkin Pies recipe.
Brownie Bottom Pumpkin Cheesecake
Let’s face it: Pumpkin anything is a crowd pleaser in its own right. When combined with two of the most popular desserts in the history of dessert creation, it turns into a must-make for every fall occasion.
Get the Brownie Bottom Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe.
Alfajores
Alfajores are a soft and tender shortbread cookie with dulce de leche sandwiched between. Though the cookie originated in the Middle East, the Spanish took the cookies to South America, and now they are especially popular in Argentina. The cookies can be dusted in confectioners' sugar, or our favorite, coconut flakes.
Get the Alfajores recipe.
Sweet Potato Pudding
This silky smooth sweet potato pudding is a lighter, simplified cousin of sweet potato casserole without the topping or crust. It's essentially the filling of sweet potato pie with an optional whipped cream or marshmallow fluff topping. No crust or crimping fuss required!
Get the Sweet Potato Pudding recipe.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Get your pumpkin and cheesecake fix in one with these pumpkin-spiced cookies stuffed with a little surprise: cream cheese filling! The warming pumpkin spice cookies complement the creamy, tangy flavors of cheesecake, creating the most decadent cookie you'll have all season long. Although the pumpkin spice flavor screams fall, these cookies are truly enjoyable any time of the year.
Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies recipe.
Cranberry Cake
This cranberry loaf cake is by far our favorite way to use cranberries. It's the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and the sugar topping adds just the right subtle crunch.
Get the Cranberry Cake recipe.
Apple Cider Donut Cake
In our minds, fall isn't fall 'til we've had at least a dozen apple cider cake donuts. This super-sized version comes together in no time, and there's no deep-frying involved. That's a win in our book.
Get the Apple Cider Donut Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
Here at Delish, we can’t get enough pumpkin recipes in the fall, whether it’s sweet or salty, and this one is a true winner when we're craving somethin' sweet. A two-in-one dessert, these brownies feature the ultimate fudge brownie bottom with a rich, moist pumpkin cheesecake top. That's what we like to call the best of both worlds!
Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies recipe.
Apple Dumplings
Stay with us here: These dumplings are essentially poached in a lemon-lime soda, which may seem a little odd, but trust us on this one. The dumplings come out slightly doughy and gooey, and the soda turns the whole thing into a sweet sauce that you should drizzle over your dumplings. It's the fastest way to apple pie and possibly a little better!
Get the Apple Dumplings recipe.
Copycat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
These chewy blondies are studded with white chocolate chips and cranberries and then get a sweet orange cream cheese frosting and an extra drizzle of white chocolate just for fun. Be sure to cut them into triangles just like Starbucks would and serve it alongside a copycat Frappuccino.
Get the Copycat Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars recipe.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to chocolate chip cookie dough results in a heavenly pillow-like cookie with major autumn vibes. Yum!
Get the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Sticky Buns
We know there’s no shortage of amazing pumpkin recipes out there, but these pillowy soft buns are filled with chopped pecans and baked in a caramel sauce for the most decadent fall treat any time of day.
Get the Pumpkin Sticky Buns recipe.
Honey Cake
The honey cake is an underestimated cake and perfect to bring along to Rosh Hashanah or any gathering. The trick here is to use really good honey. We used a wildflower honey, which is sweet and floral, and gives the cake lots of flavor. An orange blossom honey would also work well!
Get the Honey Cake recipe.
Sweet Potato Pie
This recipe is an amazing way top off a Thanksgiving dinner or a nice treat after a long week in October. We included a recipe for the pie crust but to make it even easier, feel free to use store-bought!
Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
Crustless Apple Pie
You need to try this hasselback trick with apples ASAP. It tastes like a cross between a homemade apple pie and a warm apple crumble. The best part: You don't need to deal with rolling out and chilling pie dough.
Get the Crustless Apple Pies recipe.
Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake
Attention: The fall dessert of your dreams has arrived. With a rich, buttery Oreo crust and a light, fluffy pumpkin filling, you'll want to eat this cheesecake no matter what time of year it is.
Get the Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe.
Sweet Potato Cookies
Forget sweet potato casserole. Forget pumpkin spice lattes. These sweet potato cookies are our new fall staple. Once you taste their maple glaze, you'll understand why.
Get the Sweet Potato Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Roll
Ready to kick off pumpkin season with the most impressive (but not intimidating!) fall dessert there is?! Luckily, there's no fret with this pumpkin cake roll. With a few simple tips, you'll have perfect swirls of cake and cream cheese filling that will have everyone oohing and aahing when you slice into it.
Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake Roll recipe.
Tiramisu Cake
It’s hard not to love a creamy, light slice of tiramisu. We enjoy the flavor combo of bitter coffee and dark cocoa paired with sweet and cold mascarpone cream so much we’ve added it to everything. We think you should consider eating a slice of this approachable cake with our tiramisu White Russian, TBH.
Get the Tiramisu Cake recipe.
Gingersnap Cookies
These pretty gingersnaps are BIG, gingery, and extra extra chewy, like a warm hug in a cookie!
Get the Gingersnap Cookies recipe.
Apple Pie
A homemade apple pie that will even impress your grandma. We like to fill our homemade flaky, buttery, lattice crust with a combination of apples for an irresistibly sweet-tart filling. You’ll know the pie is ready to come out of the oven when the filling bubbles and the crust is golden.
Get the Classic Apple Pie recipe.
Sweet Potato Bread
When the temperature drops, the days are short, and a cozy vibe is on order, one autumnal treat is better than the rest: sweet potato bread. It's proof that sweet potato can bump pumpkin right off the sweets table come fall. Need more convincing? Try our sweet potato pie, sweet potato cake, and sweet potato cookies!
Get the Sweet Potato Bread recipe.
Homemade Mooncakes
Mooncakes are popular (often) sweet treats consumed during the mid-autumn festival in Chinese culture to celebrate the harvest season. Many fillings for mooncakes exist, though most tend to be sweet pastes made of either red bean, lotus seed, black sesame, or a mixture of fruits and nuts.
Get the Homemade Mooncakes recipe.
A buttery, oatmeal cookie cup with apple pie filling on top!? Let's just say, these two-bite fall treats are going to go fast.
Get the Apple Crisp Cookie Cups recipe.
Walnut and Pistachio Baklava
Sticky and rich, baklava is a dessert made of layered sheets of phyllo dough, nuts, spices, sugar and/or honey. It’s served all over the Middle East, Turkey, and Greece and is perfect for riffing with flavors. This version uses walnuts and pistachios, but feel free to use whichever nuts you like the most.
Get the Walnut and Pistachio Baklava recipe.
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
Figuring out how to make all of the pumpkin desserts during Thanksgiving while the turkey is in the oven can be a nightmare. That's why you need this no-bake cheesecake. It's a major time saver and while we love our classic pumpkin cheesecake, we go crazy for the no-bake option.
Get the No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe.
Pecan Pie Brownies
For the brownie lover, the Thanksgiving dessert table can be... uninspired. No longer! Make these quick-and-easy beauties for the chocolate lover in your life so they're not stuck picking at a slice of pumpkin pie again this year.
Get the Pecan Pie Brownies recipe.
Pan de Muerto
Pillowy soft and fragrant with anise and orange flower water, this Mexican sweet bread is eaten during the weeks around Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Pan de muerto can be found on every ofrenda (offering altar) as a gift of nourishment for visiting souls.
Get the Pan de Muerto recipe.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Take your pecan pie to the next level by turning it into a rich and nutty cheesecake! Extra creamy base + sweet and sticky pecan topping = best Thanksgiving dessert ever.
Get the Pecan Pie Cheesecake recipe.
Poached Pears
Poaching slightly underripe pears makes them tender and sweetens them while allowing them to maintain their structure. Once poached, they can be served warm or cold, garnished with a caramel reduction of the cooking liquid, and accompanied with everything from ice cream to whipped cream to yogurt.
Get the Poached Pears recipe.
Pumpkin Pie
Every Thanksgiving dessert table needs pumpkin pie. It's basically the law. We've got tons of tips and tricks for how to bake your best pie ever. We're big fans of making our own pumpkin spice blend, too!
Get the Pumpkin Pie recipe.
Apple Coffee Cake
Apples work wonders in this easy coffee cake. They add extra sweetness as well as making the cake moist and tender. We love it with Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples, but your favorite baking apple will do the trick!
Get the Apple Coffee Cake recipe.
Perfect Honey Cookies
With a soft and chewy texture, these cookies are irresistible. Make them for Rosh Hashanah or anytime to treat yourself!
Get the Perfect Honey Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Bread
We love this classic, no-frills pumpkin bread (especially warmed up and slathered with cream cheese—seriously, TRY IT). Other times, we're craving chocolate...or pecans! And we're sure you are too. Feel free to fold in 1 cup of extra stuff like chocolate chips, nuts, dried cranberries, or pepitas once the batter is made.
Get the Pumpkin Bread recipe.
Tarte Tatin
This classic tart construction relies on fruit being laid over caramel then topped with puff pastry. The caramel might be a little tricky, but we promise going low and slow and resisting the urge to stir is the way to make sure that you have the perfect caramelized bottom.
Get the Tarte Tatin recipe.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
At first glance, a sugar cookie and a snickerdoodle don't seem all that different: They're basic cookies with flour, butter, and sugar. But snickerdoodles are rolled in cinnamon sugar and have a chewier texture as well as a more crackly top than sugar cookies, thanks to one ingredient: cream of tartar.
Get the Snickerdoodle Cookies recipe.
Apple Tart
In a classic French recipe, you're supposed to cook down an apple compote to go on top of the crust and under the spiral of apples. Not here. We skipped the sauce completely and macerated the slices in brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and vanilla to make sure they got nice and jammy in the oven.
Get the Apple Tart recipe.
Coconut Burfi Brownie Bites
Coconut burfi is an Indian mithai (sweet) made from shredded coconut and sweetened condensed milk with a touch of cardamom that makes this sweet even more magical. Boxes and boxes of coconut burfi are given out during Diwali so that everyone can celebrate the new year with a sweet moment. If you’re a fan of the inside of a Mounds Bar, you’ll love these coconut burfi bars!
Get the Coconut Burfi Brownie Bites recipe.
Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Sweet potato adds a nuttiness and earthy sweetness that takes a normal cheesecaketo another, more festive level. Add that to a gingersnap cookie crust, and you've got a spice-filled autumnal twist on a classic we bet you'll make again and again this fall.
Get the Sweet Potato Cheesecake recipe.
French Apple Tart
This tart is so easy to make and uses a store-bought puff pastry, meaning it can be ready in under an hour. The glaze uses a little Grand Marnier, which can be left out or replaced with rum or cognac. It really brings the whole tart together and we highly recommend it.
Get the French Apple Tart recipe.
Pecan Pie
Is there anything more iconic to see on your Thanksgiving dessert spread than a beautiful pecan pie? The craggly top filled with nuts that you know gives way to that delicious, rich interior. This recipe is the easiest way to get it on your holiday table (or any table for that matter, make it in June for all we care!).
Get the Pecan Pie recipe.
What's better than a dessert that tastes exactly like fall? These cookies are begging to be served with pumpkin spice lattes in front of a blazing fire with red and orange leaves waving outside in the crisp air. (Or double down on the apple vibes with a mug of steaming homemade apple cider.)
Get the Apple Cookies recipe.
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