10 Desserts to Try This Fall

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As temperatures drop and trees lose their leaves, fall favorites like pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake get their time to shine. However, if you have the urge to switch things up this year, you might try impressing your family with a new recipe. Below you’ll find a few that give traditional autumn sweets a run for their money. 

1. Apricot Pie With Coconut Crumble

Tart apricots and toasted coconut combine to create this delectable autumn pie. This recipe involves three separate steps to make the pastry, the topping and the filling and requires a few unusual ingredients. However, when you finally taste the end result, you won’t regret putting in the work. After letting it cool for two hours, top the pie with more coconut chips and serve with vanilla bean ice cream. 

2. Caramel Apple Crisp Bites

Invite the flavors and aromas of fall into your kitchen by making these bite-sized caramel apple crisps. While they’re particularly delicious on a cool autumn day, they also make the perfect dessert or quick treat any time of year. Use a sweeter variety of apple, like Empire, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious in this recipe and top with caramel sauce to really set these little muffins apart. 

3. Pumpkin Brownies

Satisfy your chocolate and pumpkin cravings with a dessert that does it all — pumpkin brownies. Use your favorite brownie mix and add in a layer of homemade creamy pumpkin filling. Then, add about 10 minutes to the baking time on the box and bake them to perfection. Store these bad boys in an airtight container on your counter to keep them fresh for three to four days.

4. Pecan Shortbread Squares

If you’re a fan of pecan pie and haven’t tried these shortbread squares, you’re missing out. This recipe only requires a dozen basic ingredients — most of which you probably already have in the cupboard. Begin by making and baking the crust. Then, combine the other ingredients in a saucepan and pour the mixture on top. Bake for 20 minutes, cool and enjoy. Freeze for up to three months to let the good times roll all winter long. 

5. English Trifles 

A trifle is an English dessert that contains several layers of custard, soaked sponge cake, fruit, jam and whipped cream. Trifles are equally beautiful and delicious and mark the perfect end to a heavier meal of pasta or pizza. Plus, you can customize them to your liking. For instance, more indulgent autumn trifles might include spiced pears and apples, while light summer trifles might feature strawberries or kiwi. 

6. Vegan Pumpkin Mousse Pie

If there’s a special vegan in your life, try your hand at this pumpkin mousse pie. The crunchy graham cracker crust and whipped pumpkin filling are sure to make this dessert a family favorite. If you can find vegan cream cheese, butter, whipped topping and graham cracker crumbles, making this pie is easy as, well, pie! Chill for at least four hours before serving and serve with extra vegan whipped topping. 

7. Snickerdoodle Cobbler

Snickerdoodle cobbler puts a fun fall twist on the traditional peach version. With cinnamon and caramel sauce, you probably won’t even miss the fruitier flavors of summer. Plus, it’s super easy to make and only requires a few basic ingredients you’d find in the baking aisle. Just be sure to dredge the whole cake with hot water before popping it in the oven for a moist, gooey dessert no one will be able to resist. 

8. Bourbon Apple Blondies 

These apple blondies, made with a touch of bourbon, are a great way to use up the rest of your apples from the local orchard. Although this dessert sounds complicated, it’s no more challenging to make than classic brownies. The most time-consuming part is cutting and cooking the apples. After that initial step, combining the ingredients and spreading them into a pan is a piece of cake. Avoid overmixing to keep these blondies moist and thick even after baking. 

9. Autumn Spice Whoopie Pies

If you’re a pumpkin spice lover, these autumn spice whoopie pies should be on your must-make list of fall desserts. All you need is a box of spice cake mix, butter, an egg and some whipped topping. First, make the whoopie pies, pressing them into round discs midway through. Then, make your filling, layer it in between the pies to create a sandwich and enjoy.

10. Cranberry Carrot Layer Cake

Are you looking for something a little different to bring to Thanksgiving dinner? This cranberry carrot layer cake, which features rich cream cheese frosting and orange zest, certainly fits the bill. Like any good carrot cake, this dessert requires quite a few ingredients. However, it takes less than an hour to make and will feed more than two dozen people. 

Try Something New

Fall classics like pumpkin pie and apple crisp are always delicious, especially during this time of year. However, it’s nice to switch things up and try a new recipe every once in a while. Add your own twists to the recipes above and create new family favorites. After indulging in these flavorful desserts, your taste buds and holiday get-togethers will never be the same again.