36 Easy Fall Dessert Recipes for Beginners
Break out the brown sugar and cinnamon, because it’s officially pumpkin (and caramel and maple and apple) season. But good news: Whipping up a seasonal treat doesn’t have to be tedious or time consuming. Here, 36 of our favorite unapologetically fall dessert recipes that are also shockingly easy to make. Go ahead, have seconds (OK, thirds).
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1. Pumpkin Spice Icebox Cake
As much as we love pie, we’re always looking for new ways to get our pumpkin fix, and this easy icebox cake is just the thing. Psst: No oven necessary.
2. Mini Caramel Pecan Pies with Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust
They’re seasonal, adorable and ready in under an hour. The secret? Store-bought pie crust and a mini muffin tin.
3. Apple-Cider Doughnut Holes
If fall were a dessert, this would be it. The good news is you probably already have some cider in your fridge, just waiting for its moment to shine.
4. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
Pumpkin bread is a classic. Add a swirl of cream cheese and cinnamon streusel on top and you’ve got a masterpiece.
5. The World's Biggest Peanut Butter Cup
You might not trick-or-treat anymore, but who said candy was just for the kids? This is like a giant version of our favorite Halloween treat.
6. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies
It doesn’t get more autumnal than this apple pie upgrade. Adorable and delicious, they take no time at all to make (thanks to premade pie dough).
7. Mini Caramel Apples
Don’t tell the dentist, but we’re probably going to eat three. (What? They’re mini!)
8. Candy Corn Surprise Cake
Nothing says holiday like a cake filled with more sugar. Bring it to the table whole, then slice and delight.
9. Giant Cinnamon Roll
This skillet pastry is proof that sometimes more is more. And since it’s made with grocery store crescent dough, it’s ready in an hour, tops.
11. Apple Pie Biscuits
You might find this hard to believe, but they’re actually easier to make than pie.
12. Biscuit Dough Pumpkin Hand Pies
All the delicious things about pumpkin pie (flaky crust, sweet-spicy filling) without the messy slicing, cleanup or fuss.
13. Apple-Cider Pear Spelt Cake
This slightly sweet, kinda healthy cake has a secret: It’s stuffed with plump, juicy, cider-poached pears. Just wait for the oohs and ahhs.
14. Brown-Sugar Pear Puff Pastries
A flavor combination that can’t be beat, plus a presentation that rivals any fancy bakery? Sounds like you just won dessert.
15. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Two desserts in one? Don’t mind if we…eat the whole batch.
16. Sticky Toffee Honeycomb Cake
You could save this one for a special occasion (it’s certainly pretty enough), but it’s actually easy enough to make anytime your sweet tooth strikes.
17. Easy Cranberry-Pecan Sandwich Cookies
These simple sandwich cookies hit all the right flavor notes: They’re fruity, nutty, salty and just a little tart—sure to be a hit.
18. Apple Tart with Soft-Pretzel Crust
OK, this one takes a little extra effort. But just look at her. Worth it, right?
19. Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cider Frosting
A foolproof cake recipe is hard to come by. This one is that, and so much more. Don’t skimp on the apple cider frosting (it’s the best part).
20. Pecan Pie Scones
If you look up the word buttery in the dictionary, you’ll find this recipe.
21. Pumpkin Spice Pecan Rolls
We’d say the creamy icing is optional...but we’d be lying.
22. Maple Baked Pears
It doesn’t get easier (or more elegant) than this. Even better, they’re practically healthy but definitely don’t taste like it.
23. No-Bake Mini Mason Jar Spiced Cheesecakes
No oven? No problem. These festive cuties take ten minutes to whip up, then magically come together in the fridge. The hardest part is waiting to dig in.
24. Snickerdoodle Chocolate-Chunk Bundt Cake
This is what happens when a cookie meets a cake and has a very delicious baby. The chocolate chunks and glaze are extra…but what’s not to love?
25. Gluten-Free Apple Rose Tart
This gorgeous tart needs no introduction. The crust is press-in and so easy, which leaves you ample time to craft a breathtaking apple-rose topper.
26. Cinnamon-Roll Pie Crust
This might be the easiest recipe ever. Five ingredients, 20 minutes and voilà, a sensational base for whatever filling tickles your fancy…
28. Maple-Pecan Icebox Cookies
As if you needed any excuse to whip up a batch of these guys, they’re entirely make-ahead.
30. Cardamom Cream-Filled Bundt Cake
It’s like eating a spicy, sweet, fluffy cloud. Who’s ready for a slice?
31. Candy Apples
Pick up a bag of Jolly Ranchers at the store, and you’re halfway to this quintessential fall treat.
32. Mini No-Bake Gingersnap Icebox Cakes
A finishing drizzle of caramel sauce is optional, but highly encouraged.
33. Caramel Almond Cake
You won’t even miss the frosting with this candied, crispy topping.
34. Giant Brown-Sugar Snickerdoodle Cookies
These are the over-the-top comfort food of our dreams. Serve them with a tall glass of milk.
35. Caramel-Stuffed Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
Sweet and spicy cookies stuffed with molten caramel. Need we say more?
36. Cardamom Crème Brûlée
FYI, it’s actually pretty easy to make crème brûlée at home, crackly topping and all. The touch of cardamom is a welcome upgrade that keeps it fresh.