54 Fall Desserts That We're Loving This Season

Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe
Photo: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Fall dessert recipes are one of our favorite things about the season, right up there with crisp evenings and brilliant foliage. We anxiously await 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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Salted Irish Cream Apple Crostata

Jerrelle Guy's Salted Irish Cream-Apple Crostata
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Salted Irish Cream Apple Crostata

Irish cream liqueur makes this apple dessert sinfully delicious.

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Parsnip-Buttermilk Tart

Parsnip-Buttermilk Tart with Spice Apple Butter
Peter Frank Edwards; Prop Styling: Kendra Surface; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Parsnip-Buttermilk Tart

This creamy confection has a surprising fall ingredient: parsnips!

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Concha Tres Leches Cake

Vianney Rodriguez’s Concha Tres Leches Cake
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Concha Tres Leches Cake

Easy to prepare and even easier to love, this recipe adds a bit of texture and color to the traditional dessert.

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Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting

Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting

We combined apples and pound cake, our two favorite fall foods, to create one delectable dessert.

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Apple Butter Cobbler with Drop Biscuits

Apple Butter Cobbler with Drop Biscuits
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Apple Butter Cobbler with Drop Biscuits

Canned biscuits, lattice crust, and streusel topping make this apple dessert truly show-stopping.

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Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

A classic apple pie with a delicious double crust for double the fun.

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Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Salted Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Excite the butter-pecan lovers in your life with this slice-and-bake cookie recipe.

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Persimmon Pudding

Persimmon Pudding
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Persimmon Pudding

Use fresh persimmons while they are still in season to create this richly spiced dessert.

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Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies

Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Salted Caramel-Apple Hand Pies

Not sure what fall dessert to make at your next harvest party? You can't go wrong with an apple-centric choice.

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Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Hector M. Sanchez

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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Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

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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Easy Apple Dumplings

Apple Dumpling
Sheri Castle

Recipe: Easy Apple Dumplings

These dumplings are bursting with nutty spices and tart apples.

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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

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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Eggnog Spice Cake with Bourbon Custard Filling and Eggnog Buttercream

Gingerbread Latte Cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream Frosting
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

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls Recipe
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. Consider a sweet batch for a thoughtful hostess gift.

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Sea Salt-Caramel Cake

Gingerbread Latte Cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream Frosting
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. The nostalgic flavor will remind you of childhood.

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Arkansas Black Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce

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

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

Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves Recipe
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

Classic Apple Cobbler Recipe
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 homemade dessert.

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Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie Recipe Image
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Double-Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Pecans and cheesecake make the ultimate combination. The creamy sweetness of the cheesecake beautifully complements the nuttiness of the pecans, resulting in an irresistible confection.

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Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans

Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans
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

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

Butter Pecan Layer Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Butter Pecan Layer Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

Nothing says "it's fall, y'all" like the butter pecan flavor combination; this dreamy three-layer cake deserves a prime spot on your dessert table.

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Over the Moon Chocolate Pie

Over the Moon Chocolate Pie
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Over the Moon Chocolate Pie

This pie is sure to send you over the moon. Complete with graham cracker crust and a wispy marshmallow meringue topping, what's not to love?

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Persimmon Pie

Persimmon Pie with Pecan Streusel
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Persimmon Pie with Pecan Streusel

If you're hoping to change it up this season, give persimmon pie a try. It's a unique choice for a fall sweet.

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Transparent Pie with Whipped Creme Fraiche and Sugared Cranberries

Transparent Pie with Whipped Creme Fraiche and Sugared Cranberries
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Transparent Pie with Whipped Crème Fraîche and Sugared Cranberries

Sugared cranberries are the shining start of this custard-like, buttermilk pie. It's adorned with a whipped crème topping that's sure to impress even the pickiest dessert connoisseurs.

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Putt's Butter Pecan Sundae

Putt’s Butter Pecan Sundae Recipe
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Putt's Butter Pecan Sundae

This no-bake fall recipe is the perfect choice when you're short on time.

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Skillet Caramel Apple Pie

Skillet Caramel Apple Pie
Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Skillet Caramel Apple Pie

Southerners love any dessert made in the cast-iron skillet, and this delightful apple pie is no exception. The bourbon-infused caramel sauce gives it the perfect finish.

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Brown Butter-Maple-Pecan Blondies

Brown Butter-Maple-Pecan Blondies
Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Brown Butter-Maple-Pecan Blondies

Tired of chocolate? Give these brown butter-maple-pecan blondies a try this season.

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Oatmeal-Caramel Cream Pies

Oatmeal-Caramel Cream Pies Recipe
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Oatmeal-Caramel Cream Pies

This nostalgic, childhood favorite gets a tasty upgrade. Packed with a salty-sweet caramel filling, these cream pies are worthy of the highest praise.

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Apple Stack Cake

Apple Stack Cake
Photo: Victor Protasi; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Apple Stack Cake

Don't be deterred by the recipe time, this delicious dessert is well worth the effort.

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Blackberry Jam Cake

Blackberry Jam Cake
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Blackberry Jam Cake

If you're searching for a bold fall dessert, look no further. This mouthwatering confection perfectly combines caramel cream cheese frosting and blackberry jam filling.

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Sock It To Me Cake

Sock It To Me Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Sock It To Me Cake

Slice into this cake to reveal a ribbon of brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.

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Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake

Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake

The lemon-and-chocolate doberge cake is a multi-flavored treat that's sure to send your tastebuds soaring.

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Butterscotch-Spice Trifle

Butterscotch-Spice Trifle
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Butterscotch-Spice Trifle

Butterscotch is a quintessentially fall ingredient, and this time it's in a trifle to create a masterpiece confection.

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Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting
Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

Seasonal ingredients make this pumpkin layer cake truly remarkable.

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Pumpkin Pie Cake

Pumpkin Pie Cake
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cake

Pie filling and cake batter meld to become one irresistible fall delight.

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Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

A perfect fall twist for the family-favorite whoopie pies.

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Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Cider Glaze

Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Cider Glaze
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Cider Glaze

Serve these cinnamon rolls for brunch or dessert — or both!

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Caramel Apple Cookies

Caramel Apple Cookies
Photographer: Alison Miksch Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cookies

These caramel apple cookies are easy to transport and will feed a crowd.

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Praline Cake

Praline Cake
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Emily Hall; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Praline Cake

This basic cake never disappoints thanks to its wonderful fall flavor.

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Apple-and-Pear Cornmeal Galette

Apple-and-Pear Cornmeal Galette
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Apple-and-Pear Cornmeal Galette

This galette is classic apple pie's cousin, and it most certainly deserves a spot on the dessert table this year.

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Honey Bun Cake

Honey Bun Cake
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Honey Bun Cake

This cinnamon-spiced Bundt cake is complete with a powdered sugar-vanilla glaze.

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Ginger-Fig Tart with Cornmeal Crust

Ginger-Fig Tart with Cornmeal Crust
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Ginger-Fig Tart with Cornmeal Crust

Silky smooth filling meets spicy notes from ginger and fresh moments from fall fruit.

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Butterscotch Pie with Whiskey Caramel Sauce

Butterscotch Pie with Whiskey Caramel Sauce
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Butterscotch Pie with Whiskey Caramel Sauce

Top this silky pie with a spirited caramel sauce.

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Salted Caramel Cheesecake

salted caramel cheesecake
Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Salted Caramel Cheesecake

The caramel cookie crust on this dreamy cheesecake puts it over the top.

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

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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Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

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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Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

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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Caramel-Pecan Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Bread Puddings
Jim Franco

Recipe: Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

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

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Mini Apple Cider Pound Cakes

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-Glazed Monkey Bread

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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Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake

Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe
Photo: 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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