12 Easy Fall Desserts

First up in our fall desserts: pumpkin oatmeal cookies! Once the weather starts getting cooler, we immediately crave these chewy pumpkin oatmeal cookies. They taste like (get this) fall-spiced oatmeal cream pies! The soft cookie is full of pumpkin spices, then drizzled with a powdered sugar icing. These will kick off the fall nostalgia in no time. Said one of our readers, "These are now my FAVORITE cookie. I’ve already made them twice. "

At the top of our favorite fall desserts is this decadent apple crisp! It's absolutely classic, harnessing all that cozy nostalgia of the season. The crumble topping is the ideal texture: crispy but not crunchy, and buttery but not soft. The fruit layer below will make your heart sing: cinnamon, a hint of ginger and allspice set off just a hint of orange and lemon zest.

Here’s a recipe that’s just right for the season: this classic Pumpkin Cake! It’s thick and moist, scented with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. The best part? A layer of tangy, fluffy cream cheese frosting is its ideal flavor match. It’s so classic and irresistible, you’ll want to make it for every gathering. It’s great for fall dinner parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or really anytime you’re craving pumpkin goodness!

Here’s a perfect tiny fall dessert: mini pumpkin pies! These pies are more than just the cute novelty factor: they’re half the serving of a normal piece of pie, making them a healthy dessert option. Even better: they’re incredibly tasty. Each bite has the perfect ratio of silky smooth filling to flaky pie crust. 

Try these Sweet Potato Brownies! Why hide vegetables in desserts when you can proudly proclaim them? These brownies could not be more thrilled by their sweet potato interior, perfect for fall baking. It makes the best chewy texture and loads them with nutrients. But most importantly: they’re irresistibly delicious, with a rich nuance in flavor that makes them taste loads better than a standard brownie.

Want to bake a cake with no effort at all? Try this easy applesauce cake! You don’t even need a bowl for this fall dessert: just mix it up right in the pan! It sounds too good to be true: but we promise, it’s very real. And it turns into one of the most delicious cakes you’ll eat. Moist and scented with cinnamon, it’s perfectly fluffy and a little gooey. It’s got a healthy spin with olive oil and Greek yogurt, and instead of icing there’s a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Want an easy fall dessert? Look no further than these sauteed apples! There’s no baking necessary, and no advanced preparation. Just slice up some apples, saute them in butter and spices, and bam! Eat it warm topped with vanilla ice cream, and there’s really not much better. In fact, why even make apple crisp or apple pie at all? Here’s more about how to make this healthy dessert, and a few more topping ideas.

Pumpkin pie is always a favorite fall dessert: and of course, grandma’s pie is the absolute best, right? When we whipped up this recipe, we weren’t expecting to love it more than the original. But this vegan pie is so full of pumpkin-spiced sweetness and the flavors are so delightfully elevated, no one will guess it’s plant-based! We’re solidly in camp vegan pumpkin pie, so much so that we’ll be making this recipe for years to come.

What's more of a classic fall dessert than poached pears? It sounds fancy, but it's so easy to do and it comes out stunning. Cooking in spiced wine makes the pears a bright burgundy color, and they look elegant with their long curved stems. And the flavor: they come out sweetly fall-spiced and completely otherworldly. Serve with whipped cream and a little pecan granola for some crunch.

What's a more satisfying fall dessert than apple pie? Here a flaky, golden crust encloses a filling that’s so full of cozy spiced flavor, you won’t want the bite to end. We've got two variations: one classic and one plant-based (and secret: we like the vegan one better). Prepare to be amazed by the crunchy crust and velvety, fall-spiced apples.

Try either: Best Apple Pie or Classic Vegan Apple Pie

This quick bread is our favorite trick for fall, and we’ve tested this one on lots of friends and family. The verdict? It's a favorite! It’s made of 100% oats and no flour: so it's a healthier spin on the standard. It’s cozy spiced, just sweet enough and packed with all the nutritional benefits of oats. You’ll love it, your friends will love it, and they’ll be amazed that it's on the healthy side, too.

Last up in our fall desserts…another favorite: spiced Applesauce Cookies! These are so moist and irresistible, you’ll forget about everything else and you savory each chewy bite. (Sorry, not sorry.) The applesauce makes them ultra moist, and they’ve got a little oatmeal to balance the sweet. But make no mistake: these aren’t a health food. They’re more like a lighter version of an oatmeal cream pie: which is AOK in our book.