Our Favorite Fall Desserts

By Southern Living
Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Fall dessert recipes are one of our favorite things about the season, right up there with crisp evenings and brilliant foliage. We anxiously await the time of cool autumn morning trips to the farmers’ market, and the pounds of fresh apples, pecans, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins that we haul home. When the leaves start changing this fall season, it’s time to cozy up with a soft blanket and one of these soul-warming fall desserts. With seasonal ingredients like spicy cinnamon, rich caramel, and decadent pecans, the fall is hands-down one of the best seasons for baking. From gooey morning coffee cakes to elegant holiday-worthy pies, we’ve pulled together our favorite fall cakes, pies, breads, milkshakes, puddings, and everything in between to keep your sweet tooth satisfied all season long. Pound cake coated in praline sauce, bread pudding drizzled in caramel, and apple pie baked in a buttery, flaky cornmeal crust – these best fall desserts will not disappoint.

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Our Favorite Fall Desserts

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Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Southern Living

Recipe: Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

This doctored-up version of a classic pumpkin pie is light, airy, with whispers of spicy fall flavors like coconut and ginger. Says one reviewer, “If this wasn’t on our Thanksgiving table, there would be mutiny.” 

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Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake

Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake

Chocolate cake is given a hot and spicy fall upgrade from cinnamon, red pepper, chipotle chile pepper, and sliced almonds. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a gooey and rich chocolate treat.

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Caramel-Glazed Monkey Bread

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Caramel-Glazed Monkey Bread

We’ve officially declared this the best pull-apart bread on Earth. The dough is soft and cakey, and forms a scrumptious sugary crust. Top with a sweet Caramel Glaze for a Southern fall recipe you’ll make every year.

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Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes

Sweet potatoes, raisins, rum, cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted pecans? We couldn’t possibly fit more flavor in these mini Bundt cakes if we tried.

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Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

This delicious recipe combines our favorite fall flavors into one chocolaty, velvety dessert.

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Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

If fall was a flavor, it would taste like Apple Cider. These moist mini apple cider pound cakes perfectly capture the season, and can be doctored up with three different sweet toppings.

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Caramel-Pecan Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Recipe: Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

All the best flavors of pumpkin and pecan pies come together in this easy, decadent bread pudding. 

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Pumpkin Pie Dip

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Dip

This sweet and versatile dish adds fall flavor to your tailgate spread. Serve it with everything from cookies to fruit to nuts.

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Peanut Butter-Toffee Turtle Cookies

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Toffee Turtle Cookies

We packed chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, and toffee into these indulgent, bite-sized cookies.

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Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Baked with chocolate chips, pumpkin filling, and a hint of espresso, these dangerously delicious brownies are a chocolate lover’s fall dream.

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Double Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust

Recipe: Double Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust

This layered apple pie takes a classic fall dessert to the next level. Its flaky cornmeal crust and sugary sauce with a kick of brandy make it one of our best pies, ever.

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Salted Chocolate Matzo Toffee

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Salted Chocolate Matzo Madness

With savory, salty ingredients like matzos and pecans, and sweet chocolate chips, this easy-to-make snack is perfect for casual fall gatherings.

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Praline-Apple Bread

Recipe: Praline-Apple Bread

You’d never guess this rich, moist quick bread recipe doesn’t have any butter or oil in its batter.

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Candy Bar Pie

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Candy Bar Pie

Here’s one of our favorite only test-kitchen approved ways for to use leftover Halloween candy. Line a salty pretzel piecrust with chocolate nougat bars (we used Snickers candy bars), and cover in creamy filling for a fall dessert worth hoarding some candy for.

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Triple Gingersnappers

Recipe: Triple Gingersnappers

Nothing says fall like enjoying a stack of fresh Gingersnappers and a hot cup of tea on a crisp fall evening.

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Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Recipe: Pecan-Toffee Shortbread  

Buttery shortbread, sugary toffee, crunchy pecans, and rich chocolate make this rustic fall treat perfect for any occasion.

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Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Pumpkin spice latte lovers rejoice: this pumpkin tart captures all the best flavors of one of our favorite fall drinks.

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Apple Butter Pie

Recipe: Apple Butter Pie

With the smooth, creamy texture of a pumpkin pie and the tart flavor of apples, this pie comes together in a flash for a deliciously sweet and simple fall dessert.

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Decadent Cream Puffs with Praline Sauce and Toasted Pecans

Helen Norman

Recipe: Decadent Cream Puffs with Praline Sauce and Toasted Pecans

These show-stopping cream puffs, filled with butter-pecan ice cream and topped with a creamy praline sauce, will soothe any Southern sweet tooth.

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Classic Apple Dumplings

Recipe: Classic Apple Dumplings

These made-from-scratch dumplings are bursting with nutty spices and tart apples. Drizzle in sweet sugar sauce and serve with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comforting fall dessert. 

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Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

This highly sought after pumpkin pie recipe is truly worthy of its title, and we don’t use the word “spectacular” lightly.

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Hot Chocolate Trifle

Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Hot Chocolate Trifle

Next time you’re craving hot chocolate on a cool fall day, make this rich, moist, and flavorful hot chocolate trifle cake instead. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

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Praline Bundt Cake

Recipe: Praline Bundt Cake

This special-occasion Bundt cake, full of our very favorite fall ingredients, has earned rave reviews for a reason. Make sure you save yourself a slice before feeding it to guests – it’ll be gone in a flash.

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Old Fashioned Caramel Cupcakes

Recipe: Old Fashioned Caramel Cupcakes

You can’t go wrong with tried-and-true yellow butter cupcakes. But you can turn them into one of the best desserts ever – just add old-fashioned caramel frosting.

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Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Watch Video: Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

All the spiced goodness of fresh pumpkin pie in creamy, pint-sized milkshake form.

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Buttered Rum Pound Cake with Bananas Foster Sauce

Recipe: Buttered Rum Pound Cake with Bananas Foster Sauce

Covered in a rich Bananas Foster sauce and a buttery glaze, this soul-warming rum cake is perfect for a crisp fall day.

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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Every Southern chef should master a staple pecan pie for the fall. This cast-iron skillet version is easy and oh-so-decadent.

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Sweet Potato Coffee Cake with Caramel Glaze

Luca Trovato

Recipe: Sweet Potato Coffee Cake with Caramel Glaze

Start your day with dessert. Sweeten up a crisp fall morning with this gooey coffee cake, flavored with sweet potatoes, cinnamon, a hint of orange zest, and a hearty frizzle of rich caramel glaze.

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Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

This splurge-worthy bread pudding is sweetened with ripe apples, crushed pineapple, and 5 – yes, 5 – tablespoons of vanilla extract for one of the richest fall desserts you’ve ever tasted.

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German Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: German Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars

If you serve these chocolaty, nutty bars, expect people to ask for crumbs.

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Full of sweet cream cheese filling, coated in decadent homemade praline frosting, and topped with toasted pecans, this bundt cake is beyond perfection.

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Apple Fritters with Salted Caramel Sauce

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Apple Fritters with Salted Caramel Sauce

­­­­­­­Apples and caramel belong together, especially during the fall season. This delicious dessert is deep fried and adorned with ice cream – it doesn’t get better than that.

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Eggnog Spice Cake with Bourbon Custard Filling and Eggnog Buttercream

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Eggnog Spice Cake with Bourbon Custard Filling and Eggnog Buttercream

This four-layer cake is the perfect dessert to serve at an elegant fall party; the flavorful bourbon custard filling will keep your guests coming back for a second slice.

 

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Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

Fudgy pecan bourbon balls are the bite-sized treats everyone loves. They are the perfect sweet for a thoughtful hostess gift.

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Sea Salt-Caramel Cake

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sea Salt-Caramel Cake

For a timeless dessert choice, go with sea salt-caramel cake. Its nostalgic flavor will remind you of childhood.

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Arkansas Black Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Arkansas Black Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce

Let’s be sure Arkansas doesn’t have all the fun; this distinctive pie should be enjoyed across the South. Pair it with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat.

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Cushaw Pie with Vanilla Bean Custard Sauce

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cushaw Pie with Vanilla Bean Custard Sauce

If you can’t find a cushaw, a squash grown in the Louisiana area, try using pumpkin puree as a substitution for the filling.

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Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves

Individual portions of pecan monkey bread? Yes, please! This caramel-drizzled dessert is a fall favorite.

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Classic Apple Cobbler

Photo: Stephen DeVries; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Classic Apple Cobbler

Quintessentially Southern and oh-so comforting, classic apple cobbler is a staple dessert below the Mason-Dixon.

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Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Pecans and cheesecake is the ultimate combination you never knew you needed. The creamy sweetness of the cheesecake beautifully compliments the nuttiness of the pecans, resulting in an irresistible confection.

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Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans

This pumpkin-filled work of art is sure impress all of your holiday party guests. It’s the definition of a decadent dessert.  

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Georgia Peanut Pie with Peanut Butter Crust and Brown Sugar-Bourbon Whipped Cream

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Georgia Peanut Pie with Peanut Butter Crust and Brown Sugar-Bourbon Whipped Cream

Peanut lovers, rejoice! This tasty pie is completed with an impressive brown sugar-bourbon whipped cream.

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Butter Pecan Layer Cake with Browned Butter Frosting