77 Fall Dessert Recipes That Go Way Beyond Pumpkin Spice

When the mood strikes for a salty-sweet crowd-pleaser chock-full of crunchy pretzels, gooey coffee-caramel, and chocolate, these check all the boxes. As a nod to the pretzels within, this cookie has a hit of salt to balance the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate. Brown sugar and instant espresso powder not only give color, but boost the notes of coffee-caramel. Baked until just done, it remains sliceable and tender but with a crunchy bite that holds up to all the other elements.

Get the Chocolate Caramel Coffee Pretzel Bars recipe.

Move over, labor-intensive traditional cheesecake, there’s a new mini marvel in town: mini pumpkin cheesecake bites. These adorable morsels are not only the perfect size for snacking, they also pack a pumpkin-flavored punch that will keep you coming back for seconds (or thirds, who’s counting?).

Get the Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites recipe.

We're not here to say cheesecake needs an upgrade, but we're definitely not opposed to the occasional zhuzhing, and these cheesecake bars are “zhuzh” in a decadent, creamy, oh-so-dreamy dessert form. And did we mention the caramel drizzle topping? There’s a caramel drizzle topping. 🤩

Get the Cookie Butter Caramel Cheesecake Bars recipe.

What could be better than a chocolate-covered pretzel? How about this chocolate-covered pretzel bark with fresh green apple and a salty caramel drizzle. This bark is the perfect treat to have on hand for your afternoon sugar cravings, midnight snack, and everything in between. You’re going to want to save this recipe…trust us.

Get the Caramel Apple Bark recipe.

As soon as we even think we feel a slight chill in the air, we're craving an apple cider donut. These ones are baked, which yields a soft, dense donut, and brushed in butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. One bite, and you'll feel transported to an apple orchard.

Get the Apple Cider Donuts recipe.

These irresistible cheesecake bars are like traditional cheesecake’s cool kid sister, and she’s invited to your holiday party this year. These bars perfectly balance creamy, rich cheesecake with the tartness of fresh cranberries and the nuttiness and warmth of a pecan streusel topping with none of the labor-intensity of traditional cheesecake.

Get the Cranberry Crumble Cheesecake Bars recipe.

Who can resist the allure of dark chocolate, caramel, and Rice Krispies? These caramel crunch bars are a world of irresistible layers where each bite is a symphony of sweet perfection. Imagine crunchy Rice Krispies enrobed in velvety chocolate, topped with a luscious layer of gooey caramel, and finished with a silky ganache. Whether treating yourself or sharing with friends, these decadent squares promise to satisfy every craving.

Get the Caramel Crunch Bars recipe.

We are OBSESSED with this sheet cake. It's easily one of our favorite pumpkin desserts (and that's saying something!). Not only does it actually tastes like pumpkin, it's got a perfect cream cheese frosting that takes it over the top.

Get the Pumpkin Cake recipe.

A black forest cake can feel like a big task to make, but these mini trifles break down the components into a very approachable dessert without the fear of needing to make a layered cake. To make things even easier, we're using boxed cake mix and store-bought cherry jam, but feel free to go homemade if you're up for it!

Get the Mini Black Forest Trifles recipe.

In this maple-inspired recipe, we spiced up our cut-out sugar cookie with cinnamon, maple syrup, and walnuts to make an aromatic and nutty-flavored cookie dough that will make you feel like you're taking a brisk fall hike among maple trees.

Get the Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies recipe.

Forget caramel corn—cinnamon bun popcorn is the sweet snack you need. This classic movie snack gets an extra sweet upgrade with the addition of a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and a simple powdered sugar glaze. We're all about savory popcorn (taco night popcorn or sushi popcorn, anyone?), but when we're looking for a sugary sweet treat, this popcorn hits all the right notes.

Get the Cinnamon Bun Popcorn recipe.

These cheesecake bars have everything you want in a holiday dessert: a gooey, nutty topping, a creamy cheesecake layer, and a salty-sweet graham cracker crust. They’re the perfect alternative to a traditional pecan pie for Thanksgiving—or any day.

Get the Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars recipe.

We took inspo from the ever popular bloomin' onion and made a just-as-fun fall dessert. Though these finished bloomin' apples look crazy impressive, they're actually quite easy to make. Once you get cutting them down (it's easier than you think—watch the video for help), all you need to do is fill with chewy caramel squares, brush with melted butter, and bake! Top with vanilla ice cream and a caramel drizzle, and you just might say goodbye to apple pie.

Get the Bloomin' Apples recipe.

Apple cider donuts are one of the absolute parts of fall. We don’t need the pumpkin spice lattes, just give us a freshly baked donut and I’ll be happy. While we think making donuts is quite fun, they’re time consuming, and not to mention the mess of frying with oil or needing a donut pan to bake them. These cookies are the perfect substitution.

Get the Apple Cider Cookies recipe.

In this Oreo-obsessed world, Nutter Butters are often overlooked, but now these Nutter Butter bars are bringing them front and center. Loaded with chunky peanut butter, peanut butter chips, and crushed Nutter Butter cookies, these simple cookie bars will bring out the child in all of us.

Get the Nutter Butter Cookie Bars recipe.

Many countries have adopted the churro since its creation and our version is a hybrid of the Mexican version, which is characteristically rolled in cinnamon sugar, and the Spanish version, which is often served with a chocolate dipping sauce. You could even start your day with a churro theme by making churro French toast!

Get the Homemade Churros recipe.

Layered with a buttery brown sugar oat mixture, a homemade caramel sauce, and melty chocolate chips, these bars have everything we could ever want. Plus, they’re ready in under an hour, making them the perfect last-minute addition to your holiday party (or even when you’re just craving a sweet treat).

Get the Carmelitas recipe.

When you see “apple roses,” what comes to mind? Slices of apple encased in puff pastry should be the answer. These adorable treats are great for everything from early fall dinner parties to Thanksgiving dinner. Whatever you make them for, they're guaranteed to be the center of attention.

Get the Apple Roses recipe.

Dessert leftovers might get overlooked, but you’ll want to save a few slices of your Thanksgiving pie to make this easy no-churn caramel apple pie ice cream. Plus, this fresh, rich ice cream features a simplified alternative to using an ice cream maker, so it's almost too easy to whip up.

Get the No-Churn Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream recipe.

Combining the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the sweet buttery taste of Pillsbury sugar cookies, this not-so-scary recipe is perfect for parties, gatherings, or as a special dessert for the family. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they’re a sweet way to embrace spooky season.

Get the Mini Pillsbury Cookie Cheesecakes recipe.