10+ Fall Dessert Recipes to Warm Your Cozy Evenings

Fall desserts just hit different, don’t they? There’s this warmth and comfort in every bite, especially when you lean into flavors like pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, and maple.

You’ll find these treats perfect for cozy gatherings, but honestly, they’re just as good when you’re curled up at home alone.

Here’s a bunch of easy and delicious fall dessert recipes to help you celebrate the season. Whether you’re craving pies, cakes, or cookies, there’s at least one thing here that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth as the air gets crisp.

Ingredients

• Pumpkin puree
• Apples
• Cinnamon
• Maple syrup
• Sugar
• Flour
• Butter
• Eggs
• Baking powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.

3. Combine wet ingredients in another bowl.

4. Slowly add dry mix to wet mix, stirring well.

5. Pour batter into a greased pan.

6. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Let cool before serving.

1) Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirled Bread

This pumpkin cream cheese swirled bread just screams fall. You get soft pumpkin bread with a creamy ribbon of sweetened cream cheese running right through the middle.

It’s got those warm cinnamon and pumpkin spice notes that make every bite feel like autumn. Enjoy it fresh from the oven, or toast a slice for breakfast—either way, it’s hard to go wrong.

The swirl adds a rich, smooth texture that plays off the pumpkin’s earthy flavor. It’s a great snack, but honestly, it holds up as dessert too.

Making this bread is pretty straightforward. If you want the full recipe, check out this pumpkin cream cheese swirl bread.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar (for cream cheese swirl)
• 1 egg (for cream cheese swirl)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.

3. In another bowl, whisk pumpkin, eggs, sugar, and oil.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.

5. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg until smooth for the swirl.

6. Pour half the pumpkin batter into a loaf pan.

7. Add cream cheese mixture over pumpkin batter.

8. Pour remaining pumpkin batter on top.

9. Use a knife to swirl the layers.

10. Bake for 55–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

2) Dutch Apple Cake

Dutch Apple Cake is one of those simple, classic fall desserts. It’s kind of a cross between apple pie and apple cake—layers of soft batter and fresh apple slices.

You get that juicy apple bite with just a hint of cinnamon. Works for breakfast or dessert, honestly.

Crisp apples like Honeycrisp give it a nice texture. The spices and sugar warm it up without drowning out the apple flavor.

You don’t need a ton of ingredients for this, so it’s perfect if you want something sweet without a huge fuss. Here’s a good way to enjoy apple season.

Ingredients

• 3-4 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in eggs one at a time.

4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.

5. Pour half the batter into a greased pan.

6. Layer the sliced apples over the batter.

7. Spread the remaining batter on top.

8. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

9. Let it cool before slicing.

Try this tasty recipe for a cozy fall treat. You can find more details here.

3) Molasses Cookies

Molasses cookies just feel right in the fall. They’re soft, chewy, and loaded with warm, spicy flavor.

When you bake them, your whole house smells amazing. Roll them in sugar before baking if you like a little extra crunch on the outside.

They’re great with a glass of milk or a hot cup of tea. Plus, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) and you’ll get cookies that stay tender inside.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Sugar for rolling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.

3. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

4. Mix in molasses.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.

6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring well.

7. Roll dough into balls, then coat with sugar.

8. Place on baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.

9. Let cookies cool on a wire rack before eating.

For a full recipe, check out these soft molasses cookies.

4) Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin whoopie pies are basically soft, cake-like cookies sandwiched with creamy filling. They bring all the cozy fall flavors—pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg—straight to your dessert table.

The pumpkin keeps the cookies moist and tender. The filling is usually cream cheese-based, so it’s tangy and smooth.

Some folks add marshmallow fluff or brown butter to the filling for an extra kick. You can make them mini or regular size, up to you.

They’re perfect for sharing at gatherings, but also great for a solo snack.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a bowl, mix pumpkin, sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth.

3. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and spice. Stir until combined.

4. Drop tablespoon-sized dough onto baking sheets.

5. Bake 12-15 minutes until cookies spring back slightly. Cool completely.

6. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy.

7. Spread filling on half the cookies and top with the others.

8. Chill before serving if you want.

Try this recipe for a simple and tasty fall dessert like found at Preppy Kitchen.

5) Maple Walnut Cake

Maple walnut cake is one of those cozy fall desserts you can whip up anytime. It’s light and fluffy, with natural sweetness from real maple syrup.

Toasted walnuts add a crunchy, nutty kick. Top it with maple cream cheese frosting if you’re feeling fancy.

It’s great for gatherings, but honestly, it makes a good treat with coffee, too. No fancy equipment needed, and you don’t need to fuss with complicated steps.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (for frosting)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in maple syrup.

4. Add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with milk. Stir until smooth. Fold in chopped walnuts.

5. Pour batter into pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check with a toothpick.

6. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and maple syrup.

7. Cool cake completely, then spread frosting on top.

6) Ginger-Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

Ginger-glazed lemon Bundt cake is a little different from the usual fall desserts. You get a mix of tangy lemon and spicy ginger that’s soft inside, with a sweet lemon glaze on top.

The ginger gives just enough warmth without taking over. This cake looks pretty in a Bundt pan and makes a nice dessert for any occasion.

The glaze is easy—just powdered sugar, lemon juice, and grated ginger. If you want a little crunch, sprinkle on some crystallized ginger.

Simple, but it still feels special.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• Zest and juice of 2 lemons

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• Crystallized ginger (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a Bundt pan.

2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and grated ginger together.

3. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.

4. Mix in lemon zest and juice. Alternate adding flour mixture and sour cream.

5. Pour batter into the pan and bake 50-60 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick.

6. Let cake cool 15 minutes, then remove from pan.

7. Stir glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Top with crystallized ginger if you want.

7) Spice Cake

Spice cake just feels like fall, doesn’t it? It’s loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, so your kitchen smells like autumn every time you bake it.

Cream cheese frosting on top brings a tangy, creamy finish. I love how it balances out the warmth of the spices.

No fancy tools needed here. You just mix the dry ingredients and spices, stir in the wet stuff like applesauce or oil, and bake.

The recipe’s easy, but the smell that fills your house? That’s the best part.

If you’re up for it, try a brown butter cream cheese frosting. It’s extra rich, not too sweet, and really makes the cake pop.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup applesauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix brown sugar, oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
5. Pour batter into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before frosting with cream cheese icing.

For a detailed version, check this autumn spice cake recipe.

8) Glazed Maple Shortbread

These glazed maple shortbread cookies are such a cozy fall treat. They’re crisp and buttery with a gentle maple flavor that doesn’t hit you over the head.

The glaze on top is sweet but not over the top. It finishes the cookies off just right.

You don’t need any special skills to make these. Mix up butter, sugar, flour, and maple flavoring, then bake.

Once they’re out of the oven, drizzle on a maple glaze made from powdered sugar and syrup. The cookies turn golden at the edges—so tempting.

I usually eat them with hot tea or coffee, especially when it’s chilly outside.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (for glaze)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, and maple flavoring until dough forms.
4. Roll dough out and cut into shapes.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are light brown.
6. Let cookies cool on wire racks.
7. Mix powdered sugar and maple syrup to make glaze.
8. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies.

9) Pear Galette

Pear galette is one of those desserts that looks impressive but is actually super easy. It’s basically juicy pears wrapped in a flaky crust—no fuss.

You can sprinkle in cinnamon or nutmeg for that extra fall vibe. I mean, why not?

Grab some fresh pears, toss them with sugar and spices, and pile them onto rolled-out pastry dough. Fold the edges over, kind of rustic-style, and bake.

The whole thing bakes at 375°F (190°C) until it’s golden and bubbling. Serve it warm, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling fancy.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe pears, sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 sheet of pie crust or puff pastry
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Toss pears with lemon juice, brown sugar, and nutmeg.
3. Roll out crust on baking sheet.
4. Pile pears in center, leaving 2 inches around edges.
5. Fold edges over pears, pleating as needed.
6. Brush crust with beaten egg.
7. Bake 35-40 minutes until crust is golden.
8. Let cool slightly before serving.

10) Brown Sugar Espresso Panna Cotta

Brown Sugar Espresso Panna Cotta is a creamy, chilled dessert with a real kick of coffee. The brown sugar adds a deep, almost caramel sweetness that plays off the espresso’s boldness.

You’ll mix gelatin with milk, then heat it up with brown sugar and espresso powder. When it cools, it sets into this silky, spoonable treat.

Top it with a thick brown sugar glaze if you want extra flavor and a little shine. It’s a dessert you can make ahead, so it’s great for gatherings or just when you want something a bit more special.

Ingredients

• 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (about 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup instant espresso powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 cups whole milk or half and half

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over 1/2 cup of milk. Let it sit for about 3 minutes.

2. In a separate saucepan, heat the rest of the milk with brown sugar, espresso powder, and a pinch of salt. Warm it up just enough for the sugar to dissolve—don’t let it boil.

3. Add the gelatin mixture to the warm milk. Stir until the gelatin melts completely.

4. Pour everything into your molds. Chill for at least 4 hours, or just wait until it sets.

5. If you’re feeling fancy, top it off with a brown sugar caramel glaze before serving.

Want more details? Check out the Brown Sugar and Espresso Panna Cotta Recipe.