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From warm and decadent treats to fresh, easy, and traditional sweets, there’s something for every occasion in this collection of 50 fall desserts. The recipes include classic favorites like pumpkin pie and apple cake, as well as more unique options such as pear crisp and vanilla pound cake with caramel icing. Grab your mug of apple cider, pull on your softest sweater, and get ready to welcome the season with this roundup of cozy autumn favorites!

Pound cake image with fall desserts overlay

Fall Dessert Recipes

After a hot summer full of fresh berries and peaches, it’s always nice to look towards the cooler fall months and bake up some cozy, warmly-spiced pies, cobblers, cakes, and cookies for the season ahead. We can focus on apples, pears, pumpkin, pecans, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all of the other flavors that remind us of the autumn harvest. In this collection, I’ve pulled together a convenient list of our 50 favorite fall desserts. Hopefully you’ll find a handful of new ideas to add to your family’s table in the coming weeks.

What can I bake in autumn?

Warm up your kitchen this fall and try baking an old-fashioned apple cake, soft and chewy snickerdoodle cookies, an easy pear crisp, damson plum pie, or a pan of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. There are so many more options included below, too!

What is one popular sweet treat made from fall harvest?

If you only make one dessert from this list, it should absolutely be our popular recipe for Mom’s Easy Apple Pie. It just doesn’t get any better! Looking for a more time-intensive special occasion treat? The pumpkin chiffon pie has been on Thanksgiving tables for decades, and it’s always well received! Finally, one of my personal favorites is the vanilla pound cake with caramel icing. So rich, so decadent, and so classically Southern.

The Best Fall Desserts

I’ve broken these desserts into sub-categories so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for. Here you can locate:

  • Traditional Treats
  • Fall Fruit Desserts (Non Pumpkin Fall Desserts)
  • Pumpkin Desserts
  • Semi Homemade Recipes
  • Easy Desserts with Few Ingredients
  • Cookies and Other Fall Finger Desserts

Traditional Fall Desserts

These old-fashioned treats have been loved for generations. Add a nostalgic bite to your Thanksgiving table, or bring back Grandma’s favorites for your next Sunday supper.

Close up shot of a bite of apple pie on a fork
Square side shot of a slice of easy apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce on top.

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Mom’s Easy Apple Pie
Mom's easy apple pie recipe is a classic dessert that's perfect for any occasion!
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Square shot of easy apple turnovers with puff pastry on a wire rack.

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Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry
These easy apple turnovers with puff pastry make the perfect fall dessert!
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Slice of the best easy pecan pie recipe on a plate.

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Easy Pecan Pie Recipe
This Southern pecan pie is truly one of the easiest pies you will ever make!
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Square side shot of bread pudding on a plate

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Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Southern bread pudding with bourbon sauce is an old-fashioned holiday dessert that's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday supper!
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Square close up shot of apple bundt cake on a cake stand.

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Apple Bundt Cake
This moist apple Bundt cake with caramel sauce is an old-fashioned, easy dessert that has been loved for generations!
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Close up square side shot of a bowl of the best apple cobbler recipe with ice cream on top.

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Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
A traditional apple cobbler recipe is one of autumn's most delicious, easy treats!
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Vanilla pound cake with caramel icing on a wooden cake stand with flowers in the background

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Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe with Caramel Icing
Rich, decadent and moist, this old-fashioned Southern vanilla pound cake recipe with caramel icing is a simple and easy dessert that comes together with just a handful of basic pantry staples.
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Overhead shot of a damson plum pie on a wooden table.

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Damson Plum Pie
This old-fashioned Damson Plum Pie, also called Damson Pie or Caramel Pie, is a classic Virginia dessert that's been loved for generations!
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Square close up side shot of a slice of Dutch apple pie on a red and white plate.

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Dutch Apple Pie {Apple Crumble Pie}
This easy Dutch Apple Pie is a traditional, old-fashioned dessert that always wins rave reviews!
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Square overhead shot of an apple cranberry crisp in a cast iron skillet

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Apple Cranberry Crisp
This apple cranberry crisp is the perfect easy dessert recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other special gathering this season — with just 15 minutes of prep!
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Square shot of a slice of caramel cake on a plate

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Caramel Cake
A classic Southern dessert, this show-stopping Caramel Cake is the perfect addition to your holiday celebration!
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Side shot of a slice of hummingbird cake with chopped pecans on top

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Hummingbird Cake Recipe
This classic Southern Hummingbird Cake recipe is the perfect easy dessert, tea time snack, or sweet breakfast treat!
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Square side shot of a slice of carrot cake on a plate

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Easy One-Bowl Carrot Cake Recipe
Moist, perfectly spiced, and finished with a fluffy cream cheese frosting, this easy carrot cake recipe is truly the best!
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Non Pumpkin Fall Desserts (Fall Fruit Desserts)

There are many ways to celebrate autumn that don’t include pumpkin! From apples and pears to sweet-tart cranberries, try one of these non pumpkin treats…

Pouring caramel sauce on a scoop of vanilla ice cream with pear crisp
Square front shot of caramel sauce being poured over a bowl of warm pear crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Quick and Easy Pear Crisp
A cozy and simple fall dessert!
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Square side shot of a plate of apple walnut cake with caramel glaze

Dessert

Apple Walnut Cake with Caramel Glaze
This fresh Apple Walnut Cake with a buttery caramel glaze has all of the warm spices, toasted nuts, and sweet fruit that you crave in a cozy fall dessert!
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Apple Cider Donut Muffins
Love sinking your teeth into a warm, soft, fresh-from-the-orchard apple cider donut each fall? Now you can easily bake a batch of cozy apple cider donut muffins in the comfort of your own kitchen — whenever the craving strikes!
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Cranberry Jello Salad
You only need 5 ingredients to prepare this sweet and easy old-fashioned Cranberry Jello Salad. It's a great make-ahead side dish or dessert for the holiday season!
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Square overhead shot of a sliced apple galette

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Apple Galette
While it might look and sound fancy, an apple galette is really just an easier, more rustic version of an apple pie!
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Square close up side shot of an easy apple crisp recipe in a cast iron skillet with vanilla ice cream on top.

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Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
This easy apple crisp recipe takes advantage of sweet, tart, and juicy fresh fruit that's warmly spiced and finished with a buttery oat streusel topping!
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Close up overhead shot of a cranberry swirl coffee cake with a slice on a serving spatula

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Cranberry Swirl Sour Cream Coffee Cake
This cranberry coffee cake is a festive addition to your holiday breakfast, ladies' tea party, or Christmas brunch!
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Close up side shot of a plate of sour cream apple coffee cake

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Mom’s Easy Apple Coffee Cake
You only need a few pantry ingredients and about 15 minutes to prepare this easy Apple Coffee Cake recipe with a cinnamon-sugar topping!
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Snickers Salad
This fresh apple and Snickers Salad is an easy dessert recipe or sweet side dish for your next potluck party or holiday gathering!
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Slow Cooker Baked Apples Recipe
A healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert, this Slow Cooker Baked Apples recipe is stuffed with raisins, pecans, and spices — all drizzled in a warm, brown sugar cinnamon syrup!
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Pumpkin Desserts

A classic autumn ingredient, you don’t want to miss these sweet treats featuring the fall favorite: pumpkin!

Hands holding a sheet pan of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.
Square side shot of a pan of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.

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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist and tender, warmly spiced pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall dessert!
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Close up square front shot of a slice of pumpkin chiffon pie on a blue and white plate.

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Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
This Pumpkin Chiffon Pie is the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert! Like a lighter, airier version of a classic pumpkin pie, it's the perfect addition to your holiday table.
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Square side shot of pumpkin oatmeal cookies on a platter.

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Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Thick, soft and warmly-spiced, these old-fashioned Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect fall treat!
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Square side shot of pumpkin cheesecake bars on a plate with whipped cream on top

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
These easy pumpkin cheesecake bars with a graham cracker crust are the perfect fall dessert!
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Semi Homemade Fall Desserts

Whether it’s a store-bought crust or a convenient box of cake mix, these sweet treats take advantage of kitchen shortcuts!

Serving a slice of cinnamon swirl coffee cake
Square side shot of hands slicing an easy cinnamon coffee cake with cake mix.

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Easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake with Cake Mix
An easy make-ahead breakfast treat that starts with a box of cake mix!
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Shortcut Apple Pecan Date Bars
Shortcut Apple Pecan Date Bars are an easy dessert recipe that’s ready for the oven in 10 minutes!
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Side shot of a plate of pumpkin coffee cake

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Pumpkin Coffee Cake
With its cinnamon swirl filling and buttery streusel topping, no one will believe that this easy Pumpkin Coffee Cake starts with a box of cake mix!
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Front shot of apple dump cake made with spice cake mix on a plate with spoon

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Apple Dump Cake
The perfect easy dessert recipe for fall! This fresh Apple Dump Cake comes together in minutes — no mixing bowls required!
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Square shot of a slice of pumpkin dump cake on a blue and white plate.

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Pumpkin Dump Cake
Grab some canned pumpkin and a box of yellow cake mix and you'll magically have a pumpkin dump cake with streusel topping ready for the oven in about 10 minutes!
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Square side shot of a slice of easy pumpkin cake with yellow cake mix.

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Easy Pumpkin Cake with Yellow Cake Mix and Pudding
Thanks to help from a box of yellow cake mix, this easy pumpkin cake recipe with cinnamon cream cheese frosting comes together in about 10 minutes!
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Honey Bun Cake
Filled with brown sugar cinnamon and finished with a sweet glaze, this Honey Bun Cake is an easy dessert recipe for any cozy gathering!
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Easy Fall Desserts with Few Ingredients

When you’re craving a sweet treat, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, try one of these easy options.

Overhead image of baked cinnamon apple slices in a pan on a wooden table
Square overhead shot of a skillet of baked apple slices

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Baked Apple Slices
These old-fashioned baked apple slices are a simple side dish for chicken, pork, and turkey, or a quick fall dessert with just 10 minutes of prep.
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2 Ingredient Pumpkin Gingerbread
With just 2 ingredients and about 5 minutes you can make a delicious and moist Pumpkin Gingerbread cake that’s perfect for the holiday season!
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Square front shot of apple dip in a white bowl.

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Apple Dip
A 4-ingredient cream cheese apple dip with just 5 minutes of prep!
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Mom’s Easy Candied Pecans
Mom’s Easy Candied Pecans are a perfect hostess gift, holiday party appetizer, or salad topping for the season — with just 5 minutes of prep!
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Square side shot of graham cracker toffee bars on a plate.

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4-Ingredient Graham Cracker Toffee Bars
Aunt Bee's 4-ingredient graham cracker toffee bars are an easy dessert to share with friends and family!
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Overhead shot of harvest pumpkin dip tray on a wooden surface

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Pumpkin Dip
Thick, rich, and smooth, this Pumpkin Dip is a sweet fall treat that's full of cream cheese, pumpkin and warm spices.
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No Bake Haystack Cookies
These sweet and crispy no-bake haystack cookies are a classic! Made with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and crunch chow mein noodles, these super simple no-bake cookies are perfect for holidays and cookie exchanges!
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Square side shot of cranberry fluff salad in two glass bowls.

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5-Minute Cranberry Fluff
A 5-minute sweet and creamy fruit salad that's perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
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Cornflake Cookies o a blue and white plate with glasses of milk in the background

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Cornflake Cookies
You only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes for these no-bake Cornflake Cookies!
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Cookies and Other Fall Finger Desserts

These grab-and-go handheld treats are convenient for eating with your fingers. Set out a tray, and watch your guests smile!

Side shot of a tray of milk and the best snickerdoodle recipe
Square side shot of old fashioned applesauce bars on plates.

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Old Fashioned Applesauce Bars
These easy applesauce bars are moist, tender, and warmly spiced!
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Stack of the best snickerdoodle recipe on a wooden board

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Snickerdoodle Cookies
Soft and chewy snickerdoodle cookies are the ultimate sweet treat!
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Square shot of a tin of saltine cracker toffee

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Saltine Cracker Toffee
It's no surprise that this sweet, salty, crunchy Christmas candy is a favorite treat during the holidays! The perfect combination of sweet chocolate and toffee with salty crackers makes this dessert an instant classic.
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Square side shot of a stack of old-fashioned butterscotch cookies recipe.

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Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cookies Recipe
Straight from Grandma's recipe box, these old-fashioned butterscotch cookies are soft, chewy and loaded with butterscotch chips!
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Side shot of a stack of Christmas cookies with cranberries and white chocolate chips

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Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, chewy, and decadent, these Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies are an annual family tradition — and the perfect holiday gift to share with loved ones! 
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Easy Pecan Pie Bars
These Easy Pecan Pie Bars are a perfect make ahead holiday dessert to serve a crowd!
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Close up front shot of three oatmeal cream pies stacked on a small plate

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Oatmeal Cream Pies
A homemade copycat recipe for classic Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies!
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Close up front shot of three blonde brownies on a small blue and white plate

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Blond Brownies with White Chocolate and Cranberries
These Blonde Brownies with White Chocolate and Cranberries are buttery, thick, chewy and perfect for an easy holiday dessert!
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What are your favorite fall dessert recipes?

Leave a comment below and share your favorite autumn desserts with the rest of us. We’re always looking for new ideas!

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blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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  1. Barb Ashley says:

    Blair -Could you send me your blog for September 25 again – somehow
    I misplaced it before I had a chance to read it – I enjoy reading them and I don’t want to miss a week.
    Thank you – Barb Ashley – ashley123@zoominternet.net

    Reply
    1. Blair Lonergan says:

      Yes, ma’am! Just sent it your way! 🙂

      Reply