Capture the sweet flavors of autumn in recipes for pumpkin bars, apple pies, spice cookies, cranberry cobblers and more fall desserts.
47 of Our Best Fall Desserts
Updated on Oct. 05, 2024
Nantucket Cranberry Tart
While everyone is enjoying a bountiful meal, this eye-catching tart can be baking to perfection in the oven. The pretty holiday dessert calls for very few ingredients, and it’s a snap to assemble. —Jackie Zack, Riverside, Connecticut
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Pumpkin Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was young we produced several ingredients for this longtime favorite on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made our own butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois
3/47
Winning Cranberry Chip Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Chock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies…but don’t wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round.
Check out more fall cookies that’ll make your home smell amazing.
4/47
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy fall dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma. Looking for birthday cake ideas for this season? Here’s our list of fall birthday cakes.
Psst! You probably haven’t tried these new fall desserts yet. (But you definitely need to cook this apple goodie next.)
5/47
Pecan Cheesecake Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In fall or at any time of year, this nutty, rich and delicious pecan pie recipe is one I'm proud to serve. While it seems very special, the caramel pecan cheesecake is a snap to make. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa
Need an after-dinner showstopper? Try these gorgeous fall desserts.
6/47
Rustic Nut Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends love crunching into the crust—so much like shortbread—and the wildly nutty topping of these chewy, gooey bars. —Barbara Driscoll, West Allis, Wisconsin
7/47
Pumpkin-Butterscotch Gingerbread Trifle
Total Time
11 hours 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's more to pumpkin than pie, as this impressive trifle proves. It looks so elegant with alternating layers of gingerbread cake and pumpkin/butterscotch pudding. Try making it ahead of time for a fuss-free dessert when you're planning to entertain guests. —Lyla Lehenbauer, New London, Missouri
8/47
Air-Fryer Apple Fritters
Total Time
30 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
An air fryer makes these easy apple fritters healthier than old-fashioned fritters, yet they are still just as delicious. They’re a quick and easy fall dessert that includes a scrumptious brown butter glaze! —Alyssa Castriotta, North Scituate, Rhode Island
Libby’s Pumpkin Delights
Just make this dessert once, and Libby’s Pumpkin Delights will be one of the recipes you look forward to each fall! —Melissa Erdelac, Valparaiso, Indiana. Make sure you try our Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe.
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Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist cake smothered with rich cream cheese frosting makes any dinner festive. Every autumn, I go to a cranberry festival in Wisconsin and load up on fresh cranberries to freeze for year-round cooking. —Nellie Runne, Rockford, Illinois
We love making fall desserts for a crowd. Find big-batch bars, cookies, cakes and more.
11/47
Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream Puffs
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
32 cream puffs
From the Recipe Creator:
This extraordinary fall dessert showcases homemade pumpkin ice cream and cream puffs. The effort is worthwhile…and you can make the parts ahead of time for easy assembly later.—Richard Lasher, Stuarts Draft, Virginia
12/47
Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple but special deep-dish pie provides a down-home finish to hearty autumn meals. Pecans and pumpkin pie spices make it a comforting seasonal classic. —Paul Azzone, Shoreham, New York
Craving more grandma-approved fall desserts? We’ve got you covered.
13/47
Chai Cupcakes
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll get a double dose of the spicy blend that’s frequently used to flavor tea in these moist single-size cakes. Both the cupcake and frosting use the blend, which combines some of the best flavors of the season. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
14/47
Giant Molasses Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy molasses cookies are also great for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
15/47
Apple Betty with Almond Cream
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois
16/47
Pumpkin Pie Pudding
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loves anything pumpkin, and this creamy, comforting pumpkin pudding recipe is one of his favorites. We make our easy pudding all year long, but it's especially nice in the fall. —Andrea Schaak, Bloomington, Minnesota
These no-bake fall desserts are perfect for when the weather is still warm.
17/47
Chocolate Maple Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family runs a maple syrup operation, and I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate maple syrup into my cooking and baking. These bars are delicious! —Cathy Schumacher, Alto, Michigan
18/47
Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
19/47
Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With an apple farm just down the road, I’m always looking for creative ways to use up those bushels. We love this cozy cake with caramel drizzle and a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. —Rachel Garcia, Colorado Springs, Colorado
20/47
Pumpkin Latte Cheesecake Tarts
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It’s hard to resist this pumpkin latte cheesecake recipe. Use extra pretzel crumbs or toffee chips for a garnish. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
21/47
Baklava
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Many ethnic festivals are held in my city throughout the year. One in May is the Greek Hellenic Festival. My family enjoys baklava—a traditional walnut strudel. The recipe uses phyllo dough, which is not difficult to work with. Just have your ingredients ready to go and follow the directions on the package. The results are scrumptious and well worth the effort. —Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York
Go nuts! We can’t get enough of these nut-filled fall desserts.
22/47
Pumpkin Cheesecake Empanadas
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cute pumpkin cheesecake empanadas make the perfect treat—and we love that they are baked and not fried! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
23/47
Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Mississippi sweet potato pie is very popular in the South. It's a particular favorite at our house because we always have plenty of sweet potatoes in our garden. Try it with a dollop of whipped cream. —Bonnie Holcomb, Fulton, Mississippi
24/47
Slow-Cooked Gingered Pears
Total Time
4 hours 35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My slow cooker allows me to serve a heartwarming dessert without much effort. Topped with caramel sauce, these tender pears feature a surprise filling of nuts and brown sugar.—Catherine Mueller, St. Paul, Minnesota
25/47
Apple Crumb Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This has been a favorite apple bar recipe of mine for many years. I’ve made these apple crumb bars for parties and for family, and they’re always a hit. —Barbara Pickard, Union Lake, Michigan
26/47
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids start begging me for these cakelike sandwich cookies as soon as autumn arrives. I haven't met a person yet who doesn't like these fun treats. —Deb Stuber, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
27/47
Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are not big fans of traditional pumpkin pie, but my mother and others are, so we must have pumpkin pie as one of the fall desserts at Thanksgiving. I decided to meet everyone halfway with this pumpkin pecan pie recipe and it was a hit. Now I bring it to Thanksgiving every year. My mother doesn’t even feel the need to bake her own pumpkin pie! —Emily Reese, Glade Hill, Virginia
28/47
Caramel Apple Strudel
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
29/47
Pumpkin Crunch Parfaits
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a fun dessert that your youngsters can help make. It’s a great treat for Halloween or Thanksgiving.—Lorraine J. Darocha, Berkshire, Massachusetts
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Fresh Pumpkin Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In my opinion, there’s no contest as to which homemade pumpkin pie is best. No matter how good your canned filling is, it will never match pumpkin pie from scratch. —Christy Harp, Massillon, Ohio
31/47
Apple Dumpling Bake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
32/47
Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks who favor the flavor of pumpkin really need to try this spiced ice cream. But be prepared to make more! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
33/47
Apple Brandy Pecan Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My favorite apple cake is made with a shot of brandy and drizzled with caramel to set off the wonderful flavors. If alcohol is a no-go, use orange juice instead of apple brandy. If you’d rather go the chocolate route, add mini chocolate chips to the cake and use chocolate ice cream topping for the drizzle. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
35/47
Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Tart
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the flavor combination of spiced pumpkin and chocolate, which inspired me to create this chocolate pumpkin tart. Sometimes I like to sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger over the chocolate ganache for extra flavor and texture. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
36/47
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These big, soft spice cookies created by our staff have a sweet frosting that makes them an extra-special treat. Enjoy! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
37/47
Apple Bavarian Torte
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cookie-like crust holds the sensational filling of cream cheese, apples and almonds. This comforting apple torte will be welcomed addition to a bake sale or potluck. —Sheila Swift, Dobson, North Carolina
38/47
Apple-Nut Bread Pudding
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Traditional bread pudding gives way to autumn's influences in this comforting dessert. I add apples and pecans to this slow-cooked version, then top warm servings with ice cream. —Lori Fox, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
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Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled if you have a real sweet tooth. —Catherine Hahn, Winamac, Indiana
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Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love cinnamon chips, and this is an intriguing way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas. Don’t forget to check out our collection of the best spicy desserts.
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Pumpkin Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall treat. But my family likes them so much, they ask me to make them all year long! —Brenda Keller, Andalusia, Alabama
42/47
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was young we produced several ingredients for this longtime favorite on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made our own butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois
43/47
Easy Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Cobbler
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a common dish from where I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. It’s a classic Dutch-style apple cobbler recipe—easy, quick and delicious. Who wouldn’t love this golden brown delight? —Andrea Robson, York, Pennsylvania
44/47
Creamy Butterscotch Pudding for 2
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One day when I had a craving for something homemade, I tried from-scratch pudding. It’s much better than the store-bought kind! —EMR, tasteofhome.com
46/47
Chocolate Caramel Wafers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
To keep my holiday cooking quick, I’ve come to rely on fast recipes like this one. The crunchy-chewy tidbits are our youngster’s favorite.
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Pumpkin Spice Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake “Thanksgiving Cake” because it’s a tasty alternative to pie, but we don’t relegate it to just that holiday. I think you’ll agree it’s delicious any time of the year. —Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio
