These fun and unexpected fall desserts will be perfect for your next dinner party, potluck or whenever your sweet tooth hits.
44 Fall Desserts You Probably Haven’t Made Yet (But Definitely Should)
Citrus Cranberry Pie
To showcase abundant fall cranberries, make this beautiful lattice-topped cranberry pie. A dollop of orange whipped cream complements the slightly tart flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
1/44
2/44
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was young we produced several ingredients for this longtime favorite on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made our own butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois
3/44
Butterscotch Fudge
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
Lovers of butterscotch and fudge will agree—this award-winning recipe is a match made in heaven! Special add-ins like walnuts and marshmallow take this butterscotch fudge recipe to a whole new level. —Virginia Hipwell, Fenwick, Ontario
4/44
Sweet Potato Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because we are from Texas, we naturally love sweet potatoes, but this sweet potato pound cake deserves to be a tradition in any home, whether you’re from the South, East, North or West. My rancher husband from Montana loves it, and I get great reviews from the ladies that I’ve treated to it at various social events. — Diane Mannix, Helmville, Montana
5/44
Pecan Brownies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
It’s hard to eat just one of these nutty pecan brownies…good thing a batch can bake up in a matter of minutes.—Karen Batchelor, Bellevue, Nebraska
6/44
Apple Pie Tartlets
Total Time
35 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Good-for-you things come in small packages when you make a batch of these tiny apple tartlets. Sweet and cinnamony, these mouthwatering tarts are a delightful addition to a dessert table or snack tray. —Mary Kelley, Minneapolis, Minnesota
7/44
Caramel Apple Rice Krispies Treats
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Ooey, gooey caramel meets your favorite crisped rice treat in this whimsical fall recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
8/44
Apple-Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California
9/44
Lara’s Tender Gingersnaps
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Soft gingersnaps embody the tastes and smells of the Christmas season, but they are perfect for any fall or winter gathering. I enjoy the blend of cloves, ginger and cinnamon in this delicious cookie. —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina
10/44
Layered Peanut Butter Brownies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of chocolate and peanut butter makes these brownies a real crowd pleaser. They’re so good that they won a ribbon at the fair. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
11/44
Maple Syrup Pie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks in New Hampshire apparently appreciate maple syrup almost as much as we do in Vermont. When my husband and I took a road trip through New Hampshire, we discovered this pie at a number of diners and restaurants. We loved it so much we created our own version. —Laurie Herr, Westford, Vermont
12/44
Pumpkin Brownies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate and pumpkin pair up to make one of the best fall desserts. These pumpkin brownies are fantastic for parties and picnics. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
13/44
Maple-Walnut Spritz Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
After taking a trip to Vermont during maple harvest season and tasting delicious maple goodies, I just had to make something using maple syrup. I love the combination of maple syrup, walnuts and spritz cookies, so I used all three of those elements to create these perfectly delicious bites. I just love the aroma when these are baking — it takes me back to Vermont and the good times I had there.—Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, PA
14/44
Candy Corn Pudding Pops
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring on the fall fun with these easy-peasy frozen treats. A few drops of food coloring make each pop look just like candy corn, but feel free to switch up the colors to match your event. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15/44
Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom and I bought a jar of cookie butter to try it out, and we fell in love with it. I knew the flavor would go well with maple syrup and pecans, so I came up with this cake. I like to make a pretty design on the top of the cake with pecan halves. —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland
16/44
Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks who favor the flavor of pumpkin really need to try this spiced ice cream. But be prepared to make more! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
17/44
Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing says the holidays to me more than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California
18/44
Reese’s Pieces Bark
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 1-1/4 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
Loaded with salted peanuts and loads of peanut candies, this Reese’s Pieces bark will send any peanut lover over the edge. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
19/44
Apple Crumb Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This has been a favorite apple bar recipe of mine for many years. I’ve made these apple crumb bars for parties and for family, and they’re always a hit. —Barbara Pickard, Union Lake, Michigan
20/44
Cinnamon Roll Macarons
Total Time
55 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These macarons are a fall and winter staple for me. Inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, they are a delicious treat for a cold or snowy day. These pair well with a mug of tea, and you can enjoy them as a dessert or just a snack. Other fillings would work well with this too—including custard, mousse, ganache or another buttercream.
—Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
21/44
Olive Oil Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A good olive oil cake isn’t overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as it can be a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
22/44
Butter Pecan Ice Cream Torte
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A simple, nutty crust and smooth caramel sauce are all the preparation required for this impressive dessert. It will keep in the freezer for one month—just be sure to wrap tightly. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona
23/44
Crisp Sunflower Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These crisp sunflower cookies are a delicious sweet and salty blend of wholesome ingredients. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas.
24/44
Cookie Crust Deep-Dish Apple Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my favorite make-and-take desserts, this deep-dish pie is based on an old Hungarian recipe that's popular in this part of Ohio. The easy cookie crust is the best part. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
25/44
26/44
Cranberry Amaretto Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings (1 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an update to a recipe that's been in our family for three generations. The combination of white chocolate and amaretto mingled with seasonal cranberry is my favorite way to end any celebration's meal. —Jennifer Evans DaCastello, Virginia Beach, Virginia
27/44
Apple Stack Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom loved to bake this sky-high apple stack cake. Layer the apple goodness two days before serving. Later, a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the only topping you'll need. —LeVa Clement, Jackson, Missouri
28/44
Bourbon Ice Cream
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
The brown sugar in this decadent bourbon ice cream gives a hint of caramel flavor, which complements the bourbon. When the custard is still liquid, before it goes into the ice cream maker, add more or less bourbon to suite your taste. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor
29/44
Orange Gingerbread Tassies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make big Christmas cookie plates every year, and it’s fun to have something with a different shape to include. These have a delicious flavor with the gingerbread and orange, and they are really easy! The tassies are also yummy with lemon zest if you prefer that over the orange. You can also decorate with some candied orange peel if you have it. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, UT
30/44
Mixed Nut Bars
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
One pan of these bars goes a long way. They get a nice flavor from butterscotch chips. —Bobbi Brown, Waupaca, Wisconsin
31/44
Possum Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We found this Possum Pie recipe in a recipe box from the previous cafe owner. It’s been on our menu ever since. —David Heilemann, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
32/44
Brandied Apricot Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Canned apricots make this golden, buttery tart a wonderful option any time of year. I brush them with preserves and brandy, then sprinkle on almonds for a bit of crunch. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
33/44
Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these pumpkin treats every autumn and they are gone in minutes. The spice combination is perfect for fall, and it is all wrapped up in a pretty little cake.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania
34/44
Nut Fruit Bark
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-1/2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a sophisticated version of fruit bark. Dark chocolate turns into a rich mocha flavor with the espresso powder. If you're a fan of sweet-salty tidbits, make sure to use the sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
35/44
Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream Puffs
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
32 cream puffs
From the Recipe Creator:
This extraordinary dessert showcases homemade pumpkin ice cream and cream puffs. The effort is worthwhile...and you can make the parts ahead of time for easy assembly later.—Richard Lasher, Stuarts Draft, Virginia
36/44
Cranberry Lime Macaroons
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It wouldn’t be the holidays for my family and friends if I didn’t make these chewy lime-flavored macaroons. I usually make several batches a week during the season..—Alisa Costa, Chatham, New York
37/44
Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
38/44
Frosted Butter Rum Brickle Bites
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The rum, real butter and toffee bits made these cookies my husband’s new favorite. If you’d like them less sweet, skip the frosting and sprinkle the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while still warm. —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan
39/44
Baklava Thumbprint Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe; then I decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware
40/44
RumChata Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to experiment and make new and unusual-flavored cheesecakes. When I tried RumChata at a friend's party, I knew it would make a great cheesecake. For a pretty presentation, drizzle it with caramel syrup or topping, or sprinkle on some toasted coconut. —Christine Talley, Hillsboro, Missouri
41/44
Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love cinnamon chips, and this is an intriguing way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
42/44
43/44
Salted Caramel Pretzel Rice Krispies Treats
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Craving a snack that’s both salty and sweet? These salted caramel Rice Krispies treats can’t be beat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
44/44
Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these for an office party cookie contest—not a crumb was left on the platter! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota