19 Cozy Fall Desserts to Try!

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As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of a homemade dessert to embrace the cozy spirit of fall. These 19 delightful fall dessert recipes celebrate the season’s most beloved flavors – pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, maple, and warming spices that make your kitchen smell like autumn itself.

Whether you’re hosting a harvest gathering, preparing for Thanksgiving, or simply want to treat your family to something special, these recipes range from simple weeknight treats to impressive showstoppers. Each one captures the essence of fall in every delicious bite.

Dessert Recipes

Classic Apple & Pumpkin Favorites

1. Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Serves 8 | Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pre-made pie crust (or homemade)
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out pie crust and place in 9-inch pie pan.
  2. Whisk together pumpkin, cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl.
  3. Add all spices and salt, whisking until smooth.
  4. Pour filling into crust and bake for 15 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to 350°F and continue baking 35-40 minutes until center is just set.
  6. Cool completely before serving with whipped cream.

2. Classic Apple Crisp

Serves 8 | Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 45 minutes

Ingredients: For the filling:

  • 8 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

For the topping:

  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
  2. Toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Arrange in prepared dish.
  3. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
  4. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
  6. Bake 40-45 minutes until golden brown and apples are tender.

3. Spiced Pumpkin Roll

Serves 10 | Prep: 30 minutes | Bake: 15 minutes

This impressive dessert features a light pumpkin sponge cake rolled with creamy filling – perfect for special occasions.

Ingredients: For the cake:

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree

For the filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 6 tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 15×10 jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Beat eggs and sugar until thick, then fold in pumpkin and dry ingredients.
  3. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 13-15 minutes.
  4. Immediately turn cake onto kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Roll up tightly and cool completely.
  5. Beat filling ingredients until smooth. Unroll cake, spread filling, and re-roll. Chill before serving.

Warm Spice Delights

4. Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Makes 12 | Prep: 15 minutes | Fry: 10 minutes

These cake donuts are perfect with morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • Oil for frying
  • Cinnamon sugar for coating

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine wet ingredients separately.
  2. Stir wet ingredients into dry until just combined.
  3. Heat oil to 375°F. Drop batter by spoonfuls and fry 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
  4. Drain on paper towels and roll in cinnamon sugar while warm.

5. Maple Pecan Cookies

Makes 36 | Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Cream butter and brown sugar, then beat in maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla.
  3. Gradually blend in flour mixture, then stir in pecans.
  4. Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  5. Bake 9-11 minutes until golden brown.

6. Snickerdoodle Bars

Makes 24 | Prep: 10 minutes | Bake: 25 minutes

All the cinnamon-sugar goodness of snickerdoodles in easy bar form.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 9×13 pan.
  2. Cream butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture.
  4. Press dough into prepared pan. Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle on top.
  5. Bake 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.

Chocolate & Caramel Indulgences

7. Salted Caramel Apple Tart

Serves 8 | Prep: 45 minutes | Bake: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pastry tart shell
  • 6 medium apples, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Pre-bake tart shell 10 minutes.
  2. Arrange apple slices in overlapping pattern in tart shell.
  3. Make caramel by heating sugar until golden, then whisking in butter and cream.
  4. Pour caramel over apples, sprinkle with salt and pecans.
  5. Bake 25-30 minutes until apples are tender.

8. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Makes 18 | Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line muffin tins.
  2. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Whisk wet ingredients in separate bowl.
  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed. Fold in chocolate chips.
  4. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 18-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

9. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Serves 8 | Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place crust in 9-inch pie pan.
  2. Beat eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, bourbon, vanilla, and salt.
  3. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Pour into crust.
  4. Bake 50-55 minutes until center is set. Cool completely.

Seasonal Fruit Specialties

10. Cranberry Orange Bread

Makes 1 loaf | Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 60 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 9×5 loaf pan.
  2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl.
  3. Combine butter, egg, orange juice, and zest. Add to dry ingredients.
  4. Fold in cranberries. Pour into prepared pan.
  5. Bake 55-60 minutes until golden brown.

11. Pear Gingerbread Upside-Down Cake

Serves 9 | Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 40 minutes

Ingredients: For topping:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 ripe pears, sliced

For cake:

  • 1 1/3 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 cup hot water

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in 9-inch square pan in oven.
  2. Sprinkle brown sugar over melted butter, arrange pear slices on top.
  3. Beat cake ingredients until smooth. Pour carefully over pears.
  4. Bake 35-40 minutes. Immediately invert onto serving plate.

12. Apple Cider Cupcakes

Makes 18 | Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup apple cider concentrate
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line cupcake pans.
  2. Mix all ingredients until smooth. Fill cups 2/3 full.
  3. Bake 15-18 minutes until golden. Cool completely before frosting.

Comforting Puddings & Custards

13. Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Serves 8 | Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups cubed day-old bread
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 2-quart baking dish.
  2. Place bread cubes in prepared dish.
  3. Whisk remaining ingredients and pour over bread.
  4. Bake 40-45 minutes until set. Serve warm with caramel sauce.

14. Maple Flan

Serves 8 | Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup maple syrup, divided
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 1/2 cup maple syrup until bubbling, pour into 9-inch round pan.
  2. Beat eggs, both milks, remaining maple syrup, and vanilla.
  3. Pour over caramelized syrup. Place in larger pan with hot water halfway up sides.
  4. Bake 50-60 minutes until knife inserted comes out clean.

15. Cinnamon Rice Pudding

Serves 6 | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup raisins

Instructions:

  1. Combine rice, milk, and sugar in saucepan. Cook over medium heat 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Stir small amount of hot mixture into eggs, then return to pan.
  3. Cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, spices, and raisins.
  4. Serve warm or chilled.

No-Bake Delights

16. Pumpkin Spice Truffles

Makes 30 | Prep: 30 minutes | Chill: 2 hours

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz white chocolate, chopped
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • Cocoa powder for rolling

Instructions:

  1. Heat cream and pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
  2. Mix in pumpkin, spice, and graham crumbs. Refrigerate 2 hours.
  3. Roll into balls and dust with cocoa powder.

17. Apple Cinnamon Energy Balls

Makes 20 | Prep: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup dried apples
  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Process all ingredients in food processor until mixture holds together.
  2. Roll into 1-inch balls. Refrigerate until firm.

18. Maple Walnut Fudge

Makes 64 pieces | Prep: 15 minutes | Set: 2 hours

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 2/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 12 oz white chocolate chips
  • 1 jar marshmallow creme
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

  1. Line 13×9 pan with foil and grease.
  2. Combine sugar, butter, and milk in saucepan. Bring to rolling boil for 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate, marshmallow creme, and maple syrup until smooth.
  4. Add walnuts, pour into prepared pan. Cool 2 hours before cutting.

19. Caramel Apple Parfait

Serves 4 | Prep: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups vanilla yogurt
  • 2 apples, diced
  • 1/4 cup caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup granola
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • Cinnamon for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Mix diced apples with half the caramel sauce.
  2. Layer yogurt, apple mixture, granola, and pecans in glasses.
  3. Drizzle with remaining caramel and dust with cinnamon.

Essential Fall Baking Tips

Ingredient Preparation:

  • Always use room temperature eggs and dairy for better mixing
  • Sift flour for lighter cakes and delicate textures
  • Toast nuts before adding to enhance their flavor
  • Use fresh spices for maximum impact

Pumpkin Puree Tips:

  • Stick with plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
  • Drain excess moisture if your puree seems watery
  • Roast fresh pumpkin for deeper flavor when time allows

Apple Selection:

  • Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn for baking
  • Mix different varieties for complex flavor
  • Add lemon juice to prevent browning

Storage Solutions:

  • Most fall desserts improve in flavor after a day
  • Store spiced cookies and cakes in airtight containers
  • Freeze unbaked cookie dough for quick treats later
  • Keep pies covered and refrigerated

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I substitute fresh pumpkin for canned pumpkin puree? A: Absolutely! Roast pumpkin halves cut-side down at 400°F for 45 minutes, then scoop out flesh and puree. You may need to drain excess moisture with a fine-mesh strainer.

Q: Why do my fall spice cookies spread too much? A: This usually happens when butter is too warm or dough needs chilling. Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking, and make sure your butter is properly softened, not melted.

Q: How can I prevent my apple desserts from becoming watery? A: Choose firm baking apples, and toss sliced apples with a bit of flour or cornstarch to absorb excess moisture. Also, don’t skip the pre-baking step for pie crusts.

Q: Can I make these desserts ahead of time? A: Many fall desserts actually improve with time! Pies, quick breads, and spiced cakes can be made 1-2 days ahead. Cookies and bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.

Q: What’s the best way to store leftover desserts? A: Most baked goods should be stored covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. Cream-based desserts like flan or bread pudding need refrigeration. Always cool completely before storing.

Q: How do I know when custard-based desserts are done? A: Insert a knife near the center – it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The center should be just set but still slightly jiggly.

Q: Can I reduce sugar in these recipes? A: You can typically reduce sugar by up to 25% in most recipes, but this may affect texture and browning. Compensate by adding extra spices or vanilla for flavor.

Conclusion

These 19 cozy fall desserts capture everything we love about autumn – the warm spices, seasonal fruits, and comforting flavors that make us want to slow down and savor the moment. From traditional favorites like pumpkin pie and apple crisp to creative twists like pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and maple flan, there’s something here for every skill level and occasion.

The beauty of fall baking lies not just in the delicious results, but in the process itself – the way cinnamon and nutmeg perfume your kitchen, the satisfaction of rolling out pie dough, and the joy of sharing these homemade treats with loved ones. Each recipe in this collection has been chosen for its approachable technique and reliable results, ensuring your fall baking adventures are both successful and enjoyable.

Remember that baking is as much about the experience as the end product. Don’t be afraid to make these recipes your own by adjusting spices to your taste or adding personal touches. The most important ingredient in any dessert is the love you put into making it.

So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and embrace the sweet side of fall. Whether you’re baking for a special celebration or simply treating yourself to something delicious on a crisp autumn evening, these desserts will fill your home with warmth and your heart with satisfaction. Happy baking!

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