50+ Fall Desserts with a Perfect 5-Star Rating

Craving something sweet to celebrate the new season? These top-rated treats are perfect for fall. Find ideas featuring pumpkin, apple, cranberry and more.

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Pumpkin Cake

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This pumpkin cake is packed with a warm, seasonal taste from ground cinnamon and pumpkin, bits of crunchy pecans and a rich cream cheese frosting. The flavors combine for a cozy, sweet treat you'll want to have year-round. —Leon Dellinger, Elwood, Indiana

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Cranberry Pecan Cookies

Total Time 20 min
Servings 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These are so tasty and simple to prepare! Each delightful little cookie is loaded with cranberries, nuts and vanilla, giving them the taste of a treat that’s been slaved over. —Louise Hawkins, Lubbock, Texas
3/46

Pear Tart

Total Time 40 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious. —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California
4/46

Sugar-Free Apple Pie

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This sugar-free pie is so delicious, you can't even detect the artificial sweetener in the filling. I always get rave reviews when I bring it to church potlucks. —Teresa Garlick, Glendale, Arizona

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Layered Mocha Cheesecake

Total Time 1 hour 30 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: In my search for the perfect mocha cheesecake, I ended up combining a few of my favorite recipes to create this delicious version. It’s as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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Butterscotch Pudding Torte

Total Time 15 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We wanted a butterscotch-flavored pudding dessert. After searching many cookbooks, I came up with this version. —Judith Kuehl, Merrill, Wisconsin
7/46

Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry Bars

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: With tangy dried cranberries tucked inside and a creamy brown butter frosting, these mildly spiced pumpkin bars are doubly delightful. It's a good thing the recipe makes lots, because once you taste one, you won't be able to resist going back for more! -Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona
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Chocolate Gingersnaps

Total Time 55 min
Servings about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: When my daughter Jennifer was 15 years old, she created this recipe as a way to combine two of her favorite flavors. They're perfect with a glass of milk. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
9/46

Baked Apple

Total Time 55 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Nothing beats these tender baked apple slices over ice cream for satisfying harvest flavor. This old-fashioned treat gives a new twist to traditional baked apples. They are also excellent served over waffles or with ham. I make sure to save room for dessert! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

10/46

Date Pinwheel Cookies

Total Time 55 min
Servings about 16 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: This is a great recipe for a delicious cookie to serve at the end of any meal. The dates have such a wonderful flavor.—Ms. Lee B. Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin

11/46

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Total Time 50 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: No one will guess this showstopper dessert with luscious cinnamon frosting starts with a mix! It's a year-round favorite. —Linda Murray, Allenstown, New Hampshire
12/46

Apple Pear Cake

Total Time 1 hour 25 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When my sister Catherine made her apple cake for me, I knew I needed the recipe. For my version, I added some pears from the trees on our acreage. The resulting apple-pear cake is so moist and tastes so good. Now every time I make it, people want my recipe. —Mary Ann Lees, Centreville, Alabama
13/46

Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler

Total Time 40 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
14/46

Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Pudding

Total Time 40 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This rich bread pudding recipe comes together in minutes. There's plenty of old-fashioned cinnamon flavor. The treat is sure to become a favorite! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
15/46

Cranberry-Apple Lattice Pie

Total Time 1 hour 45 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Two favorite fall fruits bring out the best in each other — and rum works its own mellow magic. Few people pass up a piece of this pie. — Adri Barr Crocetti, Sherman Oaks, California
16/46

Praline Pumpkin Torte

Total Time 55 min
Servings 14 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Homemade pralines, big poufs of whipped cream and spiced cake make this torte decadent to the last bite. It's perfect for an autumn day. —Esther Sinn, Princeton, Illinois
17/46

Snickers Cookies

Total Time 20 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Though you wouldn't know by looking, you'll find a sweet surprise inside these cookies. My mother got this Snickers cookie recipe from a fellow teacher at her school. It's a terrific way to dress up refrigerated cookie dough. —Kari Pease, Conconully, Washington
18/46

Sticky Toffee Rice Pudding with Caramel Cream

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The simple rice pudding gets a makeover with this upscale recipe. It has just the right thickness to soak up a hot caramel topping. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
19/46

Cranberry Pie

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: To showcase abundant fall cranberries, make this beautiful lattice-topped cranberry pie. A dollop of orange cream complements the slightly tart flavor. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
20/46

Peanut Caramel Brownie Bites

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These three-layered brownies are simply irresistible and my family's absolute favorite. —Ella Agans, Birch Tree, Missouri
21/46

Pumpkin Pecan Custard

Total Time 55 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My family loves pumpkin pie flavor, but this is a delicious, creamy, healthier alternative—and we don’t miss the crust at all. It firms up as it cools. —Abby Booth, Coweta, Oklahoma
22/46

Best Bread Pudding

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The secret to incredible bread pudding with a soft middle and crisp edges starts with leftover dinner rolls. I picked up the rich brown sugar sauce recipe from my friend Kathryn Gartmann. A big drizzle of it takes this dessert over the top and really makes it the best bread pudding ever. —Maria Petrella, Taste Recipes Prep Cook
23/46

Apple Cornbread Crisp

Total Time 40 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: With hearty ingredients and quick prep time, this warm apple crisp makes a delicious, wholesome dessert for any fall night. It reminds me of the recipe my grandmother would serve after our big family seafood dinners. It's absolutely wonderful topped with ice cream. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
24/46

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls

Total Time 20 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Friends and family are always happy to see these tasty peanut butter popcorn balls and I love making them! —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania
25/46

Squash Custard Pie

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Acorn squash has been a favorite of mine since I was little and my mother baked it with sugar and cinnamon. This particular pie was something I improvised. We love pumpkin pie, but had fresh squash in excess. So I came up with this new variation! It’s good to take to potlucks, to pie or cake walks at school, or to serve as a different dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas. —Mary Kelly, Hopland, California
26/46

Honey Walnut Delights

Total Time 40 min
Servings about 8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Even after being frozen, these no-fail cookies stay moist and taste freshly baked. They are among my best holiday giveaway treats and are so easy to make. If you prefer, you can use other nut varieties, such as pecans or almonds. —Jessica Clemens, Wimbledon, North Dakota
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Nutella Hand Pies

Total Time 30 min
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: These pint-sized Nutella hand pies made with puff pastry are too good to keep to yourself! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

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Chocolate Chip Blondies

Total Time 30 min
Servings 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Folks who adore the classic cookies will enjoy that same beloved flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois

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Chocolate Hazelnut Gateau

Total Time 50 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Gateau (pronounced ga-toe) is the French word for any rich and fancy cake. I think you'll agree that this dense chocolate dessert fits the bill, with just the right amount of sweetness. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
30/46

Maple-Glazed Apple Pie

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Even though we've lived in Florida for three years, I still feel like a Vermonter. My parents send us a bushel of Vermont apples each fall, and we try to visit in the spring to do some sugaring. —Patricia Putnam, Lakeland, Florida
31/46

Easy Apple Strudel

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, so I changed it up a bit. This revised classic is just as good as the original. It's best served warm from the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana
32/46

Tillie's Ginger Crumb Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe goes back at least as far as my grandmother, who was born in the early 1900s. Our sons and I enjoy eating it in a bowl with milk poured on it—much to the dismay of my husband, who prefers it plain! —Kathy Nienow Clark, Byron, Michigan
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Dark Chocolate-Caramel Macchiato Pie

Total Time 30 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: One of my first entries in the National Pie Championship was this impressive pie with coffee flavor and cool chocolate curls on top. —Amy Mills, Sebring, Florida
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Caramel Creme Brulee

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 14 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe comes out perfect every time and it's always a crowd-pleaser! A torch works best to get the sugar caramelized while keeping the rest of the custard cool. You may want to use more sugar to create a thicker, more even crust on top. —Jenna Fleming, Lowville, New York
35/46

Chocolate Chip & Pecan Meringue Bars

Total Time 55 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I've had recipes for chocolate chip cookies and pecan meringues in my collection for a number of years—and I combined them to make these bars! They're a lovely addition to any holiday cookie tray. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
36/46

Black Forest Tart

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Cherry pie filling and a melted chocolate drizzle top a rich, fudgy cake made from chocolate cookie crumbs. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
37/46

Cherry Pear Pie

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Two of my family's favorite fruits appear in this splendid pie with a nutty streusel topping. I like to serve slices with cherry-vanilla frozen yogurt.—Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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Coconut Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings 9 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: This simple yet satisfying coconut cookie recipe has been around for generations. Pressing a fork into the top gives the look of an old-fashioned washboard. —Tommie Sue Shaw, McAlester, Oklahoma

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Toffee-Pear Crisp Bread Pudding

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My son loves pear crisp, but one night I was making bread pudding. He asked if I could make both. I compromised by combining two desserts into this one dish. It's absolutely fantastic! —Kurt Wait, Redwood City, California
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Cherry Hand Pies

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: There's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

41/46

Easy Apple Crisp

Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Here's an easy apple crisp! This is a delicious dessert perfect for young cooks to prepare. It's super simple to make since there's no crust—just a crumbly topping. Plus, with apples and oats, it's a wholesome treat. —Sheri Hatten, Devil's Lake, North Dakota

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Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie

Total Time 35 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The fluffed filling in this mouthwatering pie forms beautiful peaks and is nutmeg-colored. Rich and creamy, this popular dessert tastes so good with its buttery graham cracker crust. —Sheila Bradshaw, Powell, Ohio

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Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: What could be better than a brownie crust layered with chocolate cheesecake and topped with ganache? These cheesecake bars will satisfy even the biggest chocolate lovers. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin

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Sweet Potato Cheesecake Brownies

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: If you're looking for something other than pumpkin, these sweet potato bars are a yummy alternative. Make them ahead—they're even better refrigerated overnight. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
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Spiced Cranberry Crisp Cake

Total Time 1 hour 20 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This cake is a cross between a fruit crisp and a moist cake. We love the festive cranberry filling with its sweet-tangy flavor and the combination of soft cake, tender fruit and crunchy topping. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California