20 Incredible Pumpkin Dessert Ideas for Fall

By Michelle Darrisaw

There’s nothing a little pumpkin spice can’t cure on a crisp, chilly autumn day. Fall’s go-to gourd makes for a delicate yet satisfying ingredient to enhance desserts. Not to mention, it helps keep cakes and baked goods fresh and moist. So when those seasonal cravings kick in, it’s time to embrace all things cozy, comforting, and deliberately sweet and spicy. That’s where you should welcome the addition of pumpkin to just about every dish gracing your holiday table during sweater weather. In this tasty collection, we’ve included crowd-pleasing pies, but we also drifted outside the pie pan and latté land to incorporate spiced layers, crumbly crisps, and pumpkin-filled bars to whet your guests’ appetites. Here are 20 smashing pumpkin recipes you’ll have no problem preparing or saying yes to this fall. Each far more delicious than the last.

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Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù

Layered to pumpkin perfection with a creamy tiramisù filling. Finish off the cake with a sprinkle of nutmeg and then press ladyfingers onto the sides. 

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Pear-and-Pumpkin Tart

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Pear-and-Pumpkin Tart

Savor all the flavors of autumn in this crisp, rustic tart. Pumpkin comes together with ripe pears for a simple yet stunning dessert. 

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Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Pumpkin swirled into chocolaty, chewy brownies? Yes, please! 

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Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever

Easy as pie. Pun intended. 

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Honey Swiss Meringue

A sure-fire showstopper, with its airy meringue topping, toasted pecan crust, and traditional pumpkin filling. This one's worth trading in summer strawberry cheesecake for. 

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

The best way to describe this dessert is that it combines all the classic cheesecake flavor you love with pumpkin puree, plus the chocolate and cinnamon graham cracker crust is to die for. 

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Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Photo: Hector M. Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Pumpkin pie turned up with fluffy chiffon and toasted coconut.

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Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

Photo: Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

We're not overselling this pie by labeling it "spectacular." Trust us, each decadent slice is really all that and more.  

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Pumpkin Roll

Photo: Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Roll

Roll it, pat it, and mark it with a "P." You'll fall in love with this impressive pinwheel. 

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Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

An easier and more elegant way to serve pumpkin pie during autumn. The molasses and toffee flavor really elevate this dessert. 

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Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt

The perfect centerpiece for your holiday party this season. This gorgeous Bundt cake blends our favorite autumnal flavors of cranberry, apple, and pumpkin together, with a crunchy pecan and maple glaze drizzled on top. 

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Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

This pie gets its name from the delicious melted chocolate layered on the bottom. 

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Marbled Pumpkin Praline Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Marbled Pumpkin Praline Cake

A pecan-praline filling, whipped topping, and pumpkin-filled batter are the finishing touches for this glorious spiced pumpkin cake. Swoon. 

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Pumpkin Fudge

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Pumpkin Fudge

Smooth, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth squares that are perfect for a late-night treat. 

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Pumpkin Crisp

Photo: Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Crisp

When you're tired of pumpkin pie, whip up this easy, buttery rich dessert. 

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Mini Pumpkin Cakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cakes

You know what they say, the most delicious things come in the smallest packages, including these pumpkin-shaped cakes. It'll be hard to choose between the caramel-rum glaze or vanilla. But since these are individually-portioned, we're guessing you won't have to. 

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Pumpkin-Pecan Streusel Pie

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Streusel Pie

The only pie you'll need on your dessert table. This pecan streusel delicacy is like a cross between pumpkin pie and coffee cake. 

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Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

The added layer of nutty pecan flavor in this pumpkin cheesecake will have you reaching for another slice, or maybe even two. 

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Pumpkin-Lemon Cream Cheese Chess Pie

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Lemon Cream Cheese Chess Pie

Finally, a dessert you can really be thankful for when the holidays roll around. 

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Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

Photo: Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

What do you get when you mix a classic Heath bar with pumpkin spice? A whole lotta nice, that's what. This sheet cake is ooey-gooey and oh-so-good!

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