20+ Fall Dessert Recipes

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, there’s no better time to indulge in the cozy flavors of fall. Imagine sweet aromas filling your kitchen, with each bite offering a delicious taste of the season.

Classic Apple Pie

Easy Apple Pie

Easy Apple Pie from Little Spoon Farm

Rating: 5. Total Time: 2 hr.

Apple Pie Recipe

Apple Pie Recipe from Live Well Bake Often

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 40 min.

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie from Allrecipes

Rating: 4.7. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min.

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There’s just something about the smell of a freshly baked apple pie that feels like a warm embrace. With its flaky crust and spiced apple filling, this dessert is a staple of autumn.

Using a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, ensures a balanced filling. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of lemon juice elevate the flavor, making each bite a delightful experience. The crust, golden and buttery, cradles the tender apple slices perfectly.

This recipe is special because it’s both nostalgic and universally loved. Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or on its own, apple pie is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect way to celebrate fall’s bounty.

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting from Sally's Baking Addiction

Rating: 4.9.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Pumpkin Cupcakes from Preppy Kitchen

Rating: 5. Total Time: 50 min.

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes from Boston Girl Bakes

Rating: 5. Total Time: 50 min.

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Pumpkin spice and everything nice! These cupcakes capture the essence of fall in a single bite. They’re moist, fluffy, and bursting with the flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, and cloves.

The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy sweetness that complements the spiced cupcakes beautifully. Each cupcake is like a mini pumpkin pie, but with a modern twist. Perfect for gatherings or a sweet treat with your afternoon coffee.

What makes these cupcakes stand out is their simplicity and elegance. They’re incredibly easy to whip up, yet they look like they came straight from a bakery. Plus, they’re a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin puree you might have from other fall recipes.

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Pecan Pie Bars Recipe from The Kitchn

Rating: 4.5. Total Time: 1 hr 5 min.

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars from Allrecipes

Rating: 4.8. Total Time: 1 hr 5 min.

Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Pecan Pie Bars Recipe from Natasha's Kitchen

Rating: 5. Total Time: 55 min.

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If you’re a fan of pecan pie, these bars will be your new best friend. They offer all the rich, buttery goodness of a traditional pecan pie but in a portable, easy-to-eat form.

The shortbread crust provides a sturdy base for the gooey pecan filling. Brown sugar, corn syrup, and a splash of vanilla enhance the nutty flavor, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory. These bars are great for potlucks or as a sweet ending to a cozy meal.

They’re special because they simplify the pie-making process without sacrificing flavor. No need to fuss with rolling out pie dough here. Just press the crust into a baking dish, pour the filling over, and bake to perfection. It’s pecan pie made easy!

Maple Glazed Donuts

Maple Glazed Donuts

Maple Glazed Donuts from Sally's Baking Addiction

Rating: 4.9. Total Time: 45 min.

Baked Maple Glazed Doughnuts

Baked Maple Glazed Doughnuts from Half Baked Harvest

Rating: 5. Total Time: 40 min.

Maple Glaze

Maple Glaze from From Scratch Fast

Rating: 5. Total Time: 5 min.

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Imagine biting into a warm, freshly glazed donut with a hint of maple. These donuts are like a bite of fall, with their soft, fluffy texture and sweet, sticky glaze.

The maple glaze, made with real maple syrup, is what sets these donuts apart. It adds a depth of flavor that you won’t find in your everyday donut. Paired with a cup of hot coffee, they’re the perfect way to start a crisp fall morning.

These donuts are special because they bring the flavors of a pancake breakfast into a convenient, on-the-go treat. They’re a fun baking project for a relaxing weekend, and they’ll leave your house smelling like a cozy cabin in the woods.

Cranberry Orange Bread

French Apple Cake

French Apple Cake from Once Upon a Chef

Rating: 4.9.

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe from A Cozy Kitchen

Rating: 4.8.

Autumnal baking

Autumnal baking from BBC

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This bread is a delightful combination of sweet and tart with a citrusy punch. Fresh cranberries and orange zest give it a vibrant flavor that’s both refreshing and comforting.

The moist, tender crumb is studded with juicy cranberries, and a sugary glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Plus, it looks beautiful on a fall-themed table.

What makes this bread special is its versatility and festive appearance. It’s a great way to use seasonal cranberries and can easily be adapted to include nuts or spices for extra flavor. This bread is like a little slice of autumn in every bite.

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels from The Speckled Palate

Rating: 4.4. Total Time: 40 min.

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites from Handle the Heat

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 h 1 min.

Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe

Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe from One Little Project

Rating: 4.9. Total Time: 2 h 10 min.

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For those who love the combination of sweet and salty, these pretzels are a must-try. Coated in cinnamon sugar, they’re a crunchy, addictive snack that’s hard to resist.

Each pretzel is generously coated in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, giving them a warm, comforting flavor. The pretzels themselves are soft and chewy on the inside, with a perfect golden crust. They’re great for sharing at parties or enjoying on a cozy night in.

These pretzels are special because they take a classic snack and give it a fall-inspired twist. They’re easy to make in large batches, making them ideal for gatherings. Plus, they’re a fun alternative to traditional desserts, offering something a little different yet equally delicious.

Caramel Apple Crisp

Best Ever Caramel Apple Crisp

Best Ever Caramel Apple Crisp from Allrecipes

Rating: 4.8. Total Time: 1 h 15 min.

Skillet Caramel-Apple Crisp

Skillet Caramel-Apple Crisp from NYT Cooking – The New York Times

Rating: 5.

Caramel Apple Crisp

Caramel Apple Crisp from Fifteen Spatulas

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 h 15 min.

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Caramel and apples are a match made in dessert heaven. This apple crisp takes things up a notch by adding a generous drizzle of caramel over a spiced apple filling and crunchy oat topping.

The apples are soft and tender, infused with cinnamon and nutmeg. The oat topping is buttery and crisp, creating a delightful contrast in textures. As the caramel melts over the warm crisp, it creates a gooey, indulgent treat that’s perfect for fall.

This recipe is special because it combines two beloved fall flavors into one irresistible dessert. It’s a great way to enjoy the season’s apple harvest, and it’s simple enough to make any night of the week. Serve it warm with ice cream for a truly decadent experience.

Pro Tricks for Amazing Fall Dessert Recipes

French Apple Cake

French Apple Cake from Once Upon a Chef

Rating: 4.9.

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe from A Cozy Kitchen

Rating: 4.8.

Autumnal baking

Autumnal baking from BBC

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Nail the Spice Ratio

Fall desserts often rely on warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Experiment with the quantities to suit your taste, and remember that fresh spices make a big difference in flavor.

Balance Sweetness and Tartness

Many fall desserts feature fruits like apples and cranberries. Taste your fruit before baking to gauge their sweetness, and adjust the sugar levels in your recipe accordingly for the perfect balance.

Use Seasonal Ingredients

Take advantage of the seasonal bounty by using fresh, local produce in your desserts. Not only will your treats taste better, but you’ll also be supporting local farmers and enjoying the freshest ingredients available.