71 Easy Fall Desserts That Make the Most of Baking Season- VERSION 2

Break out the brown sugar and cinnamon, because it’s officially pumpkin—and caramel and maple and apple—season. Is it just me, or does fall bring out the best in baking? (Nope, it’s definitely not just me.) Even better news: Crafting up an autumnal treat—whether it’s a batch of cookies, a cake or a pie
—can be as easy as, well, apple pie. Save the tedious and time-consuming confections for the long winter months and make one of these 71 easy fall desserts that are spiced, seasonal and also shockingly easy to make—think pumpkin angel food cake and caramel-stuffed ginger cookies , to start. Go ahead, have seconds (OK, thirds).

80 Pumpkin Desserts to Make on Repeat This Fall

1. Caramel-Stuffed Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Katherine Gillen

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <500 calories
• Serves: 12

Pumpkin for fall? It may not be groundbreaking, but it’s undeniably delicious, especially when paired with gooey caramel and cinnamon. (For a shortcut, you can skip the caramel core, but you will be missing out.)

2. Mini Pumpkin Pies

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 12

Think about it: You could eat one normal slice of pie or pop three tiny bites into your mouth in rapid succession. Plus, shrinking down a full-size recipe means it takes less time to bake and cool.

3. Apple Cider Doughnut Cake with Brown Butter Icing

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10 to 12

This is like an oversize version of the moist, fluffy farmstand doughnut, with a tender, softly spiced crumb and a brown butter icing to gild the lily. Serve the leftovers for a sweet breakfast treat—you have my permission.

4. Ina Garten’s Cinnamon-Spiced Shortbread

Quentin Bacon/Go-To Dinners

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 2 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 16 to 20

Quick, someone go preheat the oven. These gently spiced cookies come together with just ten ingredients. If you want to make the cookies ahead, prep the dough and cut out the cookies, refrigerate or freeze in containers, then bake and sprinkle with the sugar mixture before serving.

5. Pecan Pie Brownies

Katherine Gillen

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 9

Your favorite holiday pie would be even better with a touch of chocolate, no? These decadent treats start with a brownie mix , so making an easy fall dessert has never been more impressive.

6. Pumpkin Patch ‘Dirt Cups’

Katherine Gillen

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

I ever-so-slightly upgraded the nostalgic snack with homemade pudding and fall candies so it’s just the right amount of classy and kitschy. The parfaits wouldn’t look out of place in a Halloween cocktail party dessert spread, but kids wouldn’t turn them down either.

7. White Chocolate, Espresso and Cardamom Cookies

Matt Russell, Rachel Vere and Matt Hague/The Modern Spice Rack

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

For anyone looking outside the usual cinnamon-caramel-pumpkin rotation, might I suggest trying cardamom? These cookies—which are inspired by Turkish coffee—feel seasonally appropriate for fall, yet wouldn’t be out of place year-round.

Katherine Gillen

8. Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Time Commitment : 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, ready in <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

Peanut butter and jelly , spaghetti and meatballs …some combinations are just meant to be. Pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting? Call me basic, but I’m certain it’s a match made in autumnal heaven.

Katherine Gillen

9. No-Cook Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu

• Time Commitment: 6 hours, 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: no-bake, beginner-friendly, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 10 to 12

This autumnal tiramisu is creamy, just sweet enough and laced with fall baking spices, plus it requires no fussing with a cooked custard. (Translation: You can’t mess it up.)

Katherine Gillen

10. Pumpkin Black and White Cookies

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

Half-moon, half-and-half, a type of cake masquerading as a type of cookie : Call them whatever you want, but don’t forget to invite these soft, sweet treats to sweater season. (FYI, the base is the same cookie as no. 8, you just switch up the frosting.)

Katherine Gillen

11. Apple Cider Caramel Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 15 to 20

True to its name, you’ll poke this cake all over (satisfying, right?), then top it with a gooey sauce that seeps into the holes, infusing the entire confection with extra flavor and moisture. Use store-bought caramel if you want, but know that the cider-infused version is worth the effort.

Katherine Gillen

12. Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10 to 10

If over-spiced cookies with a texture like cardboard aren’t your thing, try this easy cake recipe instead. It’s moist, tender and spiced just right, and there are no layers to work with.

Mark Weinberg/Baking with Dorie

13. Dorie Greenspan’s Miso-Maple Loaf

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

If pumpkin isn’t your think, try this inventive loaf. Its flavors are warm, sweet, robust and mysterious, thanks to the addition of miso . According to recipe developer (and baking legend) Dorie Greenspan , it adds a hint of savory je ne sais quoi without being overpowering.

Aran Goyoaga/Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple

14. Aran Goyoaga’s Spiced Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free (optional), crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8 to 10

This spiced snack cake—which is naturally dairy free—comes alive when paired with tangy cream cheese frosting, but if you want to make the frosting dairy free as well, just use plant-based cream cheese. You can make the cake batter with roasted pumpkin or canned pumpkin puree in place of sweet potato, too.

Mark Weinberg/The Book on Pie

15. Cranberry-Orange Pie

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Nothing against pumpkin desserts , but fall has so many other flavors going for it that deserve your attention. This tart-sweet cranberry pie is a good place to start. A thin layer of cream cheese filling helps temper the sharp flavor of the fruit.

The Modern Proper

16. Salted Caramel Apple Sundae

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
• Serves: 6

Good news: Ice cream isn’t just for summertime. Even better news: The homemade caramel sauce calls for just three ingredients. Use a Honeycrisp apple for the ideal balance of sweet-tart flavor.

Half Baked Harvest

17. Chai Latte Cupcakes with Caramel Brûlée Frosting

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 24

The caramel brûlée frosting alone had my interest piqued, but recipe developer Tieghan Gerard takes it a step further and adds a touch of chai to offset the sweetness and add more complex flavor. “It’s sweet but not too sweet,” she writes, “and the rich, warming flavors of caramel pair so nicely with the chai.”

Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

18. Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Glaze

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 36

Making the signature spiral in these cookies looks intimidating, but the dough is very forgiving and you can patch it together if it cracks. Use a piece of parchment paper to help roll everything into a tidy package, and you’ll be good to go.

Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

19. Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 15

They’re soft and chewy like your favorite classic molasses cookies, but the extra addition of chocolate takes them to a new level. To achieve the best texture, make sure you don’t overbake them: Look for puffed, crackled tops and edges that are just set.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 6

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. For the type of apple you use, pick something crisp-tart (like Granny Smith or Gala) so the filling holds its shape and isn’t too sweet.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. Mini Caramel Apples

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, gluten free, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10

How does one make mini caramel apples? Choose a teensy varietal, like Lady (aka Api) or Rockit apples. Personally, I’ll never get over mini desserts .

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

22. Candy Corn Surprise Cake

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10

Nothing says Halloween like a cake filled with more sugar. Bring it to the table whole, then slice and delight the kids and adults alike.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

23. Giant Cinnamon Roll

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8 to 10

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.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Apple Upside-Down Cake

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

Well hello there, beautiful. They say “an apple a day,” and this one has three, so it’s basically healthy…right? In all seriousness, it’s surprisingly easy to make, since you don’t have to decorate it.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

25. Apple Pie Biscuits

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

You might find this hard to believe, but they’re actually simpler to make than apple pie. Serve them as an easy fall dessert or at your annual brunch on the patio.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

26. Biscuit Dough Pumpkin Hand Pies

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 16

All the delicious things about pumpkin pie (flaky crust, sweet-spicy filling) without the messy slicing, cleanup or fuss. Refrigerated biscuit dough is thoughtful like that.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

27. Apple-Cider Pear Spelt Cake

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

This slightly sweet, kinda healthy cake has a secret: It’s stuffed with plump, juicy, cider-poached pears . Just wait for the ooh s and ahh s.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

28. Brown-Sugar Pear Puff Pastries

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10

A flavor combination that can’t be beat, plus a presentation that rivals any fancy bakery? Sounds like you just won dessert. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to take things over the top.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

29. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 24

Two desserts in one? Don’t mind if I…eat the whole batch. To ensure these babies are easy to assemble, you’ll scoop the filling and freeze it before stuffed the dough and baking everything.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

30. Sticky Toffee Honeycomb Cake

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8 to 10

You could save this one for a special occasion or party (it’s certainly pretty enough), but it’s actually easy enough to make anytime your sweet tooth strikes, since there’s only one layer and batter comes together without any special techniques.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

31. Easy Cranberry-Pecan Sandwich Cookies

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 12

These simple fall sandwich cookies hit all the right flavor notes: They’re fruity, nutty, salty and just a little tart—sure to be a hit. Want to streamline the baking process? Use a store-bought jam for the filling.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

32. Apple Tart with Soft-Pretzel Crust

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

OK, this apple stunner takes a little extra effort, since you’ll need to make the soft pretzel tart dough and brush it with a lye solution to get that classic brown crust. But just look at her. Worth it, right?

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

33. Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cider Frosting

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 18

A foolproof fall cake recipe is hard to come by. This one is that, and so much more—it’s tender, moist and completely beginner-friendly. Don’t skimp on the apple cider frosting (it’s the best part).

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

34. Pecan Pie Scones

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

If you look up the word buttery in the dictionary, you’ll find this recipe. I don’t want to spoil the surprise…but there are pie crust pieces in the dough.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

35. Pumpkin Spice Pecan Rolls

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 9

I’d say the creamy icing is optional…but I’d be lying. This is all of my favorite fall flavors rolled into one dessert. Adding pumpkin to the dough doesn’t just give it that orange hue, but also makes the rolls super soft and moist.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

36. Maple Baked Pears

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, beginner-friendly, <500 calories
• Serves: 6

It doesn’t get more elegant than this easy fruit dessert . Even better, they’re practically healthy—no refined sugar!—but definitely don’t taste like it.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

37. No-Bake Mini Mason Jar Spiced Cheesecakes

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

No oven? No problem. These festive cuties take a quick ten minutes to whip up, then magically come together in the fridge. The hardest part is waiting to dig in.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

38. Snickerdoodle Chocolate-Chunk Bundt Cake

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

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? (Got kids? They’re about to go wild.)

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

39. Gluten-Free Apple Rose Tart

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, <500 calories
• Serves: 10

This gorgeous gluten-free dessert needs no introduction. The crust is press-in and so easy, which leaves you ample time to craft a breathtaking apple-rose topper.

Erin McDowell

40. Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
• Serves: 10

This might be the easiest recipe ever. Five ingredients, 20 minutes and voilà , a sensational base for whatever filling tickles your fancy…

Erin McDowell

41. Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Roll Crust

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 10

…such as this classic pumpkin pie. Make your own pumpkin pie spice from your favorite fall spices, or use a pre-made version for a time-saving shortcut.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

42. Maple-Pecan Icebox Cookies

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 24

As if you needed any excuse to make a batch of these guys, they’re entirely make-ahead. Just mix up the dough, roll it into a sliceable log and stash it in the freezer until a craving strikes.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

43. Mini Apple Tarts

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Quick, grab every mason jar lid you can find. We’re making tarts . Store-bought pie crust ensures it’s simple enough for first-timers to do, too.

Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

44. Cardamom Cream-Filled Bundt Cake

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12 to 16

With a yeasted cake and a sweet, creamy filling that’s laced with cardamon, a slice of this fall dessert—which is inspired by the Swedish treat semlor—is like eating a spicy, sweet, fluffy cloud.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

45. Candy Apples

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Pick up a bag of Jolly Ranchers at the store, and you’re halfway to this quintessential fall treat. Want to dress it up even further? Add dark or milk chocolate into the mix.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

46. Mini No-Bake Gingersnap Icebox Cakes

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 6

Here’s how to pull off an impressive seasonal dessert without any baking: Stack up some store-bought spice cookies and layer them with whipped cream, then chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. A finishing drizzle of caramel sauce is optional, but highly encouraged.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

47. Caramel Almond Cake

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 10

You won’t even miss the frosting with this candied, crispy topping. The effect is fancy, but it’s as easy to achieve as slathering the partially baked cake with a sugary almond mixture 15 minutes before it’s done.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

48. Giant Brown-Sugar Snickerdoodle Cookies

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

These giant cookies are the over-the-top comfort food of my dreams. Extra brown sugar makes them both chewy and crackly. Serve a batch with a tall glass of milk to indulge your inner child, or make it a PSL to enhance those fall dessert vibes.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

49. Caramel-Stuffed Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Time Commitment: 3 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 24

Sweet and spicy cookies stuffed with molten caramel and rolled in confectioners’ sugar. Need I say more? (Using store-bought caramel candies makes it so easy.)

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

50. Cardamom Crème Brûlée

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 6

FYI, it’s actually pretty easy to make crème brûlée at home, crackly topping and all. The trick is using a water bath so it cooks gently in the oven. The touch of cardamom is a welcome upgrade that keeps it fresh and fall-ready.

Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

51. Sweet Potato Pots de Crème with Toasted Marshmallow

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves:

If you’re trying to look like a restaurant pastry chef for your next dinner party, look no further. These fall treats are secretly simple to make but don’t taste like it. The topping is store-bought marshmallow cream and the custards cook up like a crème brûlée (see no. 50 above).

Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

52. Creamy Pumpkin Eton Mess

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

This beauty tastes like all the best parts of pumpkin pie —aka the creamy, sweet filling—thanks to cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. For a lower lift, you can use eight ounces of store-bought meringue cookies instead of making your own.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

53. Spiced Palmiers

• Time Commitment: 4 hours, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 24

These pretty cookies are, admittedly, a bit of a project, although they’re not difficult to make (just time consuming). But it’s worth the effort to spice your own puff pastry, and you’ll be the talk of the town at your next party.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

54. Sweet Potato Sugar Cookies with Marshmallow Topping

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 15

This is like the cookie version of that sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows on top. Even better, a batch can be yours in all of 30 minutes.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

55. Cinnamon Meringue Pie

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 8

Say hello to pumpkin pie’s chic cousin from the city. Don’t be put off by the prep time; you can use a store-bought pie crust as a quick shortcut.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

56. Pumpkin Brioche

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 50 minutes (plus rise time)
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

You can’t celebrate fall without pumpkin-y carbs; why not up the ante this year? This bread is fluffy, buttery and—dare
I say it?—even more delicious than the original brioche loaf.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

57. Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Cream Cheese Glaze

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

When you need a break from pumpkin but not the warm, cozy fall spices, make these guys for dessert…or breakfast. They’ve got carrots for #health and cream cheese icing for #wealth.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

58. Roasted Apple Pavlova with Honey Whipped Cream

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, gluten free
• Serves: 6

A pavlova is a fancy way of saying “giant meringue dessert filled with cream and fruit.” Make sure you cook the apples until deeply caramelized for maxiumum flavor. Assemble, then dive straight in with a spoon.

Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

59. Pumpkin Angel Food Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

Hi there, beautiful. You may look all decadent and luscious, but I know you’re as light and fluffy as any angel food cake on the inside (and taste like a fall fever dream).

Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

60. Caramelized Butternut Squash Upside-Down Cake

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

Running out of fall dessert ideas? Look to the vegetable aisle. This butternut squash cake is anything but savory, and you’ll want to make it again and again.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

61. Fig Tarte Tatin

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 8

Fall isn’t just apple season…it’s fig season too. This all comes together in a single skillet, and the most work you’ll have to do is slice some figs. You’ve got nothing to lose.

Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell

62. Caramel Coconut Macaroons

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, gluten free
• Serves: 24

The kids will think these quick bites taste like their favorite Halloween candy . (Dip them in chocolate to enhance that effect.) Bonus: They’re naturally gluten free.

Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

63. Mini Cranberry Pot Pies

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves:

Hosting a potluck has never been simpler. No one really wants to share a pie, anyway. Frozen puff pastry makes easy work of the crust, and the filling is sweetened with maple syrup for depth of flavor.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

64. Pumpkin Spice Icebox Cake

• Time Commitment: 12 hours, 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, no cook
• Serves:

As much as I love pie, I’m always looking for new ways to get my pumpkin fix, and this easy icebox cake is just the thing. There’s no oven necessary and you only need six ingredients.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

65. Mini Caramel Pecan Pies with Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 24

They’re seasonal, adorable and quick to make. Seriously, they’re ready in under an hour. The secret? Store-bought pie crust and a mini muffin tin .

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

66. Apple-Cider Doughnut Holes

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

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.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

67. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 16

Pumpkin bread is a classic. Add a swirl of cream cheese and cinnamon streusel on top and you’ve got a masterpiece. This easy fall dessert is super versatile, since it works as a snack or breakfast, too.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

68. The World’s Biggest Peanut Butter Cup

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 10

You might not trick-or-treat anymore, but who said chocolate candy was just for the kids? This is like a giant version of everyone’s favorite Halloween treat.

Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

69. Ginger Cherry Pie

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
• Serves: 8

Cherries for fall? You better believe it. Find them in the frozen aisle for a super-simple filling. The crust requires a bit more effort, but the gingerbread-y flavor is worth it, and you can always do a traditional lattice to simplify it.

70. Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo: KC Tinari/Styling: Katherine Gillen

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 16 to 18

At their core, these are just really good chocolate chip cookies, but they’re also a little bit special thanks to boozy bourbon and brown butter. You know what I think you should serve with them? A fall cocktail .

71. Concord Grape and Fennel Cake with Amaro Syrup

Dominique Lafond/Salad Pizza Wine

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

This elegant cake is a far cry from the typical kitschy fall dessert. Sweet concord grapes (which are in season), licorice-y fennel seeds and bitter amaro sound unusual but make a perfectly balanced match. (And if you can’t find amaro, swap it for sweet vermouth.)

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