35 Easy Fall Desserts That Aren't Apple Pie
It’s time to expand your dessert repertoire.
There are dozens of things to love about fall, including the changing leaves, an excuse to drink pumpkin spice lattes, and the myriad of cozy meals you can enjoy as the days get shorter and cooler.
Greg DuPree
Another one of our favorite things about autumn are the dozens of desserts you can indulge in. While apple pie is a given, and a great way to put your apple-picking haul to good use, there are a plethora of other desserts that shine from September to November. From Chocolate-Hazelnut Swirl Cake to Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars, check out this roundup of fall desserts that aren’t apple pie.
Related: 21 Fall Dinner Ideas to Make All Season Long
Orange and Clove Basque Cheesecake
Wow your autumn dinner guests with this photo-worthy dessert. This crustless cheesecake originates from the Basque region of Spain, and as its cloud-like appearance suggests, it has a lighter texture than your typical American cheesecake. For a gluten-free take on this dessert, just swap in an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend.
Chocolate-Hazelnut Swirl Cake
Antonis Achilleos
This swirl cake boasts an eye-catching marble pattern that’s bound to impress. To get the marbled look, you’ll use the zebra cake method, which creates more intricate, thinner stripes. Once the dessert sets in the oven, a crunchy streusel made with hazelnuts adorns the top, resulting in an irresistible crunchy contrast to the tender confection.
Cherry-Vanilla Bundt Cake
Antonis Achilleos
While this might look like a classic bundt cake from the outside, this treat has a major wow factor—a cascade of cherries hidden inside the sweet, tender crumb. To create this showstopper, you’ll add a cake batter enhanced with yogurt to the pan in two batches, with a store-bought cherry pie filling sandwiched between. If you need a make-ahead dessert, prepare this cake a day in advance and dust with confectioners’ sugar just before putting it on the table.
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin is the star of many fall desserts, including this sweet and savory number. Here, spiced pumpkin puree mingles with a tangy cheesecake mixture, as well as a delicious Speculoos cookie crust, to create some visually appealing cheesecake bars.
Sheet-Pan Apple Crisp
While this dessert might be similar to apple pie, it’s crispy in a way that a pie could never be. To get those perfectly golden corners, use a sheet pan instead of the typical glass baking dish to bake this treat in. And while this recipe calls for Gala apples, feel free to use Braeburns, Honeycrisps, or Pink Ladies. It’s time to put all of those fresh apples to work!
Pumpkin Bread Trifle With Pepita Streusel
Antonis Achilleos
A cream cheese-spiked trifle with a pumpkin spice streusel? Yes, please. You’ll start by baking a simple loaf of pumpkin bread. Then, bake a crumbly and sweet streusel made with flour, sugar, butter, pumpkin pie spice, and pepitas for some delightful crunch, and don’t forget the sweetened cream cheese, which is the glue that holds this fall confection together.
3-Layer Magic Cake
This magic cake is a hit no matter what time of year it is. The “magic” happens when the cake batter separates into three distinct layers in the oven—a thick, fudgy bottom layer, a custard center, and a top layer of delicate sponge cake. Wanna make this treat more fall-like? Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin purée to the batter for an unmistakably autumnal take.
Ginger Apple Tarte Tatin
A standard tarte tatin is a French upside-down apple tart, but this take is a tad different. In this recipe, you'll infuse caramel with fresh ginger. Then, you’ll drape thawed puff pastry on top and let it turn flaky and golden in the oven. Flip the entire thing over for the big reveal table-side, and expect your guests to be impressed.
Malted Chocolate Brownies
Victor Protasio
Chocolate is delicious no matter what season it is, and these brownies are wonderfully chocolatey. Chocolate or vanilla malted milk powder is mixed with cocoa powder to add another layer of flavor, and before the brownies bake, a generous handful of chopped malted milk balls (we like Whoppers!) and a pinch of flaky sea salt get sprinkled on top. The result is brownies with a caramelized crunchy topping that’s equal parts malty, salty, and sweet. Yum!
Apple Cider Donuts
Making donuts might seem daunting, but we promise it’s not as intimidating as you may think. These fried treats, which are perfect for fall, are made with apple cider, flour, and plenty of sugar. Pro tip: If you don't have a donut cutter, use an upside-down water glass and a bottle cap (for the hole) to punch out the donuts.
Hazelnut Swirl Blondies
Blondies never disappoint, and what makes these blondies particularly outstanding are the dollops of Nutella-like, chocolate-hazelnut spread that you'll swirl into the batter before baking. For a nice, crunchy texture, feel free to add chopped hazelnuts to the batter and sprinkle the finished dessert with flaky sea salt. You won’t regret it.
Jammy Hand Pies
Fred Hardy
If you’re not using your air fryer to make dessert, you’re missing out, and this recipe is proof. Here, frozen strawberries are cooked down with sugar and cornstarch until they’re irresistibly thick and jammy. Then, you’ll spread the jam inside circles of store-bought pie dough, fold, and crimp, before cooking these puppies in your trusty air fryer.
Apple Rugelach
Victor Protasio
While these little crescent-shaped pastries make for a great Hanukkah treat, that can totally be enjoyed all-year-round. The filling is a simple mixture of apple butter, honey, cinnamon, and a sprinkle of slivered almonds, but feel free to experiment with other fillings, such as chocolate hazelnut spread, strawberry jam, apricot preserves, and more.
Pistachio-Walnut Cheesecake
Greg DuPree
The combo of Biscoff cookies, nuts, and honey makes this cheesecake an all-star dessert, especially in the fall. The finishing touch is a sweet-and-tangy sour cream topping that balances out the dessert’s other flavors. To ensure a lump-free cheesecake, start with room-temperature cream cheese.
Heavenly Coconut Pound Cake
Sure, the shredded coconut in this cake brings the tropical vibes, but we assure you that this treat is just as delicious in the fall. The glaze (topped with shredded coconut, of course) kicks things up a notch. Enjoy a slice with a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider and you’re ready for autumn!
Related: 8 Clever Hot Dog Recipes To Spice Up Your Backyard Barbecue
Red Velvet Brownie Torte
Victor Protasio
What happens when red velvet cake and brownies join forces? The answer is this rich and decadent multi-layered treat. The brownie batter is spiked with red food coloring, and the chocolatey result is almost fudgy. A tangy cream cheese frosting officially takes the dessert over-the-top, while sprinkles add plenty of color and texture.
Gingerbread Pretzel Popcorn
If you love fall but are already itching for winter, give this festive popcorn a whirl. Each kernel is slathered with a vanilla caramel sauce made with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg for a flavor that's reminiscent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. When you head to Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday potluck, bring this popcorn as a delicious gift.
Pumpkin Spice Bread
What's more festive than serving pumpkin spice bread in the fall? Not much. This recipe actually calls for real pumpkin puree, so you know the pumpkin flavor will deliver. Plus, since the sweet streusel is made with real pumpkin seeds, this loaf is also a looker. Slather some butter or cream cheese on a slice and dig in.
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti With White Chocolate
If you’ve never combined pistachios and dried cranberries, now is your chance. This recipe calls for both of those ingredients and adds some white chocolate to the mix to take this dessert to the next level. And while biscotti has a reputation for being tough to chew, these pieces are soft enough to take a gentle bite while holding firm for a quick dip in coffee or tea.
Potato Chip Crispy Treats
Let’s be honest, crispy treats transcend all seasons. In this recipe, the classic kids’ treat boasts a white chocolate drizzle and pieces of crushed wavy potato chips in each bite. The chips, which are a welcome addition, keep this easy dessert from being cloyingly sweet like the crispy treats you devoured as a child.
Mini Pumpkin Pies With Speculoos Crust and Whipped Cream
If you’re having a small fall dinner party, or just don’t feel like whipping up an entire pumpkin pie, try these mini desserts. Here, each small pie features a press-in crust made with Speculoos cookies, as well as spicy sweet pumpkin filling. The pies also get a kick from grated fresh ginger, but it mellows under a pillowy dollop of whipped cream.
Honey-Apple Galette With Pistachio Sugar
This decadent fall dessert combines honey and apple flavors into a flaky dough for a beautiful galette. As delicious as that may sound, a homemade pistachio sugar sets this confection apart from other apple desserts. To make the tasty topping you’ll blitz pistachios with sugar and a pinch of salt until ground, then liberally sprinkle the mixture all over the dough.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
A pie that doesn’t require an oven? Consider us intrigued. This no-bake dessert boasts a press-in graham cracker crust, which encases a pumpkin puree filling with white chocolate, warm spices, and cream cheese. Pro tip: Make sure the cream cheese is truly at room temperature and that the chocolate is cooled before whisking it into the pumpkin puree. That way, the ingredients will come together easily.
Vanilla Sweet Potato Cheesecake
This vanilla sweet potato cheesecake is easy to whip up, but it looks gorgeously fancy. It includes a clever combination of just-enough sweet potato, plenty of cream cheese, and a brown butter-based graham cracker crust that you’ll want to make over and over again. Those three elements come together to create a mouth-watering dessert that’s especially tasty once the temperatures start to dip.
Apple Cider Doughnut Tower
Why have just one apple cider doughnut when you can make an apple cider doughnut tower? To assemble this masterpiece, you’ll procure some doughnuts (perhaps from your favorite orchard or farmer’s market) and whip together some cream with cream cheese and maple syrup. That combo acts as the glue that holds the tower together, while store-bought caramel sauce and chopped pecans top the whole thing.
Pumpkin Pecan Crisps
A creamy warmly-spiced custard hides beneath a nutty crunchy streusel topping to create a dessert that’s ready in about an hour. Before you serve each crisp, we suggest that you top it with a dollop of whipped cream. Crème fraiche also works, as does Greek yogurt if you want to eat this treat for breakfast.
Slow Cooker Apple Spice Cake
Yes, you can cook cake in the slow cooker, and yes, it’s delicious. This fall dessert is made with walnuts, brown sugar, buttermilk, apple pieces, and more, along with autumnal spices such as cinnamon and allspice. When the cake is done, dust it with a light coating of powdered sugar and serve.
Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars With Toasted Coconut
If you like pumpkin pie and salted caramel, this is the fall dessert for you. In this recipe, a pumpkin pie-inspired filling encased in a buttery crust is spiked with a homemade caramel sauce, and the whole thing is topped with crispy toasted coconut. Are you drooling yet?
Slow Cooker Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Though pineapple is generally viewed as a summer fruit, this recipe calls for canned pineapple rings, which you can find at the grocery store year-round. Here, the fruit pieces are studded in a brown sugar cake batter. Garnish with maraschino cherries and unsweetened whipped cream, which will cut the sweetness and acidity of this dessert.
Dark Chocolate-Pumpkin Dump Cake
While “dump cake” doesn’t sound glamorous, we promise that this seasonal offering is delicious. For this dessert, you’ll find a classic pumpkin pie base with chopped semi-sweet chocolate in each bite. In other words, each forkful is a combo of custardy pumpkin and melted chocolate. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream and enjoy!
Related: 51 Canned Pumpkin Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make
Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Pecan Monkey Bread
Who doesn’t love monkey bread, especially when you can make it in the slow cooker? This dessert, which can also be enjoyed as a decadent breakfast treat, includes a nifty shortcut in that it’s made with refrigerated biscuits. Coat each biscuit in a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, set your slow cooker on low, and enjoy in about two hours time.
Pumpkin Cream Puffs
Pumpkin pie is a classic fall dessert, but if you want to experiment with other recipes that star the popular gourd, we suggest giving these cream puffs a try. For this dessert, choux pastries get filled with brown sugar and pumpkin pastry cream for a dreamy contrast in textures that any pumpkin fan will adore.
Chocolate-Almond Cake
Greg DuPree
The beauty of this chocolate-almond cake is that it isn't too sweet, and it comes together simply, thanks in large part to a food processor. Here, bittersweet chocolate combines with finely-ground almonds, sugar, vanilla, and egg whites. Once baked, the mixture becomes a decadent, naturally gluten-free treat that's best enjoyed with a dollop of whipped cream.
Apple Spice Donut Pudding
Fred Hardy
This apple spice donut pudding is the best excuse to stop by your favorite donut shop this week. Replace the bread in bread pudding with a dozen finger-licking glazed donuts, and you get this sweet and warm spiced pudding mix. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Winter Citrus Pavlova
Greg DuPree
This pavlova recipe is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It tastes just like a creamsicle with its meringue base—filled with lime curd and topped with whipped cream and a touch of citrus. You can use a store-bought curd or make your own from scratch like the Australians do (this recipe hails from Australia).
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