I think what I love most about fall desserts is that they embody all that’s great about the harvest season. With apples, pumpkins, and pears in abundance this time of year, turning them into a family friendly treat or celebratory dessert just makes me feel fully present in the moment, just like making a perfect fall dinner. That’s why I rounded up 20 of my favorite fall dessert recipes, featuring crisps, cakes, pies, cookies, bars, and brownies.
Apple Crisp
Molly is famous for this apple crisp, especially among her family. This simple recipe combines tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery oat-and-pecan topping for a cozy fall dessert. She loves how simple it is to prepare with everyday ingredients, less sweetener, and fresh seasonal apples.
Egg Free | Gluten Free Option | Vegetarian
Pumpkin Pie
Ana designed this homemade pumpkin pie filling with the option to be made in a homemade pie crust or a store-bought pie shell. It makes an impressive and delicious iconic Thanksgiving dessert, especially when topped with homemade whipped cream, that’s creamy, perfectly spiced, and comes together from simple ingredients.
Gluten Free Option | Nut Free
Pear Crisp
As she was developing this easy fall dessert recipe, Stacie learned that she actually prefers pear crisp to apple crisp. It feels just right for the season, with tons of coziness baked right in. The warm tender pears taste great with the contrast of the buttery oat crumble topping.
Dairy Free Option | Egg Free | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Apple Oatmeal Cookies
These soft and chewy apple oatmeal cookies are made with oats, warm spices, finely diced apples, raisins, and walnuts. Lightly sweetened with maple syrup, they’re perfect for a wholesome snack or could even be a breakfast option paired with hard-boiled eggs or yogurt.
Dairy Free Option | Egg Free | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Peanut Butter Apple Crumble
Apples with peanut butter has always been one of my favorite snacks, so I thought why not combine that perfect combination in a favorite fall dessert? This new yet familiar version of apple crisp has become my first fall baking recipe of the season. I can’t get over how good it smells as it’s baking.
Dairy Free | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Vegan
Easy Baked Apples with Crumb Topping
This fruit dessert proves that sometimes real foods just need to shine. Jess created this delicious baked apples dessert that features sweet apple halves topped with a crumb topping seasoned perfectly with fall spices. It’s so easy and so good for gatherings of all kinds, served with a scop of vanilla ice cream. And the leftovers are great for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt.
Dairy Free Option | Egg Free | Gluten Free Option | Vegetarian
Dutch Apple Pie
What’s fall without baking at least one apple pie? Make it this delicious, easy, homemade Dutch apple pie that has a buttery and flaky crust. The fresh, spiced apple filling is made with half the sugar. Make it with the included gluten-free pie crust recipe or use a store-bought crust.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
The best pumpkin pie bars, this recipe is fast to make and always a hit. This sweet and spiced pumpkin dessert has the perfect ratio of crust to filling, with an oat cookie-like base, soft sweet pumpkin pie spice layer, and crumbly streusel-type topping. It’s great for autumn gathering and an easy fall dessert.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Pumpkin Blondies
These pumpkin blondies are easy to make, soft, moist, and chewy with the perfect balance of sweet fall flavors. Studded with white chocolate chips, they’re a favorite with anyone who loves pumpkin spice latte season. Plus they can easily be adapted to be dairy-free or gluten-free, as needed.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Think everyone’s favorite chocolate chip bars, but flavored with delicious and naturally sweet pumpkin puree. These soft and moist dessert bars are filled with warm pumpkin spice and plenty of melty chocolate chips. Made in one bowl with just 10 minutes of prep, they’re an easy fall dessert that everyone enjoys.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Apple Cake
Ana loves apple desserts in the fall, and this simple cake is packed with apple flavor from both fresh apples and applesauce. Shredded apples keep the spiced cake mix moist and tender, while thinly sliced apples arranged on top create a beautiful presentation with minimal effort. Make them with any apple variety, from honeycrisp to granny smith.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Oatmeal Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
If I find myself unable to decide between a cinnamon-scented pumpkin dessert and a chewy oatmeal cookie studded with chocolate chips, these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are what I make. They’re the best of both worlds in a convenient freezer-friendly, handheld package.
Dairy Free Option | Egg Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Stacie loves cheesecake bars so she turned a craving into an irresistible dessert that’s perfect for fall. These mini pumpkin cheesecake bars come together with a yummy pecan and graham cracker crust, a luscious layer of pumpkin cheesecake, and a dollop of maple syrup-infused whipped topping. It’s a dessert that will impress while also being made with Greek yogurt and less sugar. These can also be made in mini cupcake pans for individual cheesecakes.
Gluten Free Option | Vegetarian
Pumpkin Brownies
One of the easiest fall desserts to put together, this is a simple-to-make festive twist on standard brownies. This recipe incorporates canned pumpkin puree and other mix-ins to a store-bought brownie mix. Swirl the batters together to create a beautiful and delicious fall treat.
Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Baked Pumpkin Donuts
When weekend baking is in order, I start with these baked pumpkin cake donuts. They’re soft and tender on the inside, golden on the outside, and filled with warm fall spices. A simple cinnamon-sugar coating adds the perfect sweet finish, making them a special morning treat, afternoon snack, or fall dessert.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Stacie loves to make these cookies for sharing with friends and new parents. They’re big, soft pumpkin cookies filled with the perfect amount of pumpkin and spice, and just sweet enough to let the cream cheese frosting be the star. They’re a lot like a pumpkin roll, just in cookie form.
Egg Free | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Sweet Potato Brownies
Ana created these sweet potato brownies to be soft, fudgy, chocolatey, moist. Plus they provide a boost of nutrients and fiber from the sweet potatoes. Studded with chocolate chips and nuts, they’re a favorite with everyone who tries them. Take them to the next level with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Nut Free Option | Vegetarian
Pumpkin Pie Truffles
Jess created these pumpkin truffles with a delicious dairy-free filling of pumpkin puree, almond butter, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. She says they’re the perfect sweet treat to serve at fall gatherings and football parties. Dipped in dark chocolate, they’re perfectly portioned decadence at its best.
Dairy Free | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegan
Pumpkin Spice Scones
These sweet, spiced pumpkin scones are crisp on the outside, soft and crumbly in the center, and easy to make. They feature that cozy combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Feel free to mix and match different add-ins and toppings, and pair them with coffee or tea.
Gluten Free Option | Vegetarian
Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
I love cinnamon rolls, but I don’t love how long it takes to make them. This coffee cake with cinnamon roll flavors, however, is much easier and just as ooey gooey delicious. The coffee cake looks like one big cinnamon roll in the pan and gets cut into wedges that make a delicious brunch addition or dessert for fall.
Dairy Free Option | Gluten Free Option | Vegetarian
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