27 Pumpkin Spice Recipes That Taste Like Fall In a Bite

By Southern Living Editors
Updated September 21, 2020
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

It’s no secret that Southerners are obsessed with the most popular ingredient to bake with every fall: pumpkin spice. We don’t only have eyes for pumpkin spice, but we also crave the medley of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that come together to create the ultimate fall treat. From our pumpkin spice-flavored cookies that will disappear from the plate to miniature pumpkin cheesecakes that will charm anyone who takes a bite, this plethora of pumpkin spice treats can carry you through the whole autumn season.

You'll see that pumpkin spice is actually quite nice when paired with almost every other fall flavor. A few of our favorite concoctions even cozy it up to chocolate, caramel-swirled icing, and candied pecans for unexpected matches made in heaven. Here, we've collected the best pumpkin spice recipes that are sure to spice up your fall menu—especially when any pumpkin spice-loving guests are around. (Basically, always.)

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These Pumpkin Spice Desserts are Perfect for Fall

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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Credit: Photographer: Alison Miksch Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

All the creamy comfort of an autumnal cheesecake—in miniature form, because why not? Let everyone have their own personal bites of joy.  

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Pumpkin Pie Cake

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cake

Here you will find the tastiest mash-up of the season, with pumpkin pie filling and cake batter melding into one sliceable cakey masterpiece in the oven. 

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Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies

If you want an extra decadent treat, frost these festive cookies with cream cheese frosting.

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Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Wake up to the smell of streusel-topped pumpkin spice muffins. We guarantee any drop-in guest would love a taste. 

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Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake

Toffee candy bars and seasonal spices take this pumpkin sheet cake over the top without the hassle of frosting layers.

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Mini Pumpkin Pies

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Pies

Bite-sized pumpkin pies are perfect for holiday entertaining—and weeknight snacking, too. No judgement here! 

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Pumpkin Bread

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Bread

Spread some butter or cream cheese on this spiced-filled bread for a morning breakfast treat you won't soon forget, even when the last crumb is gone. 

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Pumpkin Spice Granola

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Granola

In addition to using a delightful pumpkin pie spice blend, this recipe also uses some canned pumpkin, almond butter, and shredded coconut to make the most chewy and flavorful batch of autumn granola ever.

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Pumpkin Dump Cake

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake

Top this cake with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg for a fluffy, sweet delight that requires so little prep that it's almost too easy.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

A cake-like texture and melty pockets of chocolate make these classic pumpkin chocolate chip cookies a new favorite on our seasonal dessert spread.

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Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Nothing is more destined to become a fall cookout favorite like this take on classic whoopie pies that is comprised of two soft pumpkin spice cookies bonded together by velvety and rich cream cheese frosting.

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Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis;

Recipe: Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Why choose between these two crowd-favorite fall desserts when you don't have to? Traditional pumpkin pie is spiced up with candied pecans and homemade whipped cream. 

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Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Crunch Cake

How much pumpkin is too much pumpkin? Add pumpkin seeds on top for a crunchy surprise.

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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

This sweet treat is perfect to share with your neighbors this fall. You'll have favorite neighborhood baker status by Christmas. 

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Pumpkin Spice-Chocolate Marble Bread

Credit: Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice-Chocolate Marble Bread

Bake a loaf of this indulgent combination of chocolate and pumpkin, and you'll be hooked all season long.

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Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans

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

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

This show-stopping Bundt cake is made for fall parties that require something extra special.

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Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: Pumpkin Layer Cake with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting

You won't find a prettier centerpiece for your fall table than this layer cake topped with a rich cream cheese frosting swirled with decadent homemade caramel. 

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Pumpkin Spice Magic Cake

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Magic Cake

This seasonal centerpiece is drizzled with a buttery caramel sauce and made extra fluffy and "magical" with a layer of flan.

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Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Recipe: Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

Did you ever think that you would be able to make an entire cheesecake in your Instant Pot? Here's your chance to test your baking prowess with the quick-cooking appliance. 

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Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Whipped Cream

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Recipe: Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Whipped Cream

Everyone needs a quick and easy pumpkin cake up their sleeve, and this one doesn't require any pesky (or perfect) frosting skills. Simply pile layers high with homemade spiced whipped cream. 

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Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake

Instead of a typically combined pumpkin cheesecake, keep things simple and show-stopping with this layered version that is like eating both a slice of pumpkin pie and a slice of classic cheesecake at the same time. 

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Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream and Almond Toffee

This elegant tart comes with deep autumnal charm, thanks to the addition of both pumpkin pie spice and molasses.

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Pumpkin-Lemon Cream Cheese Chess Pie

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Lemon Cream Cheese Chess Pie

This creamy pumpkin-lemon pie will satisfy any sweet tooth that wants for a tart touch.

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Spiced Pumpkin Grits

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Grits

Just when you thought this Southern staple couldn't get any better, we added pumpkin spice to the mix. Hello, Saturday morning superstar.

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Praline-Pumpkin Torte

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Praline-Pumpkin Torte

Bite into the ultimate fall combination–praline and pumpkin–in this tasty torte that reigns supreme in the sweet category.

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Pumpkin Roll

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pumpkin Roll

This pumpkin roll is stuffed with cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with powdered sugar for a fabulous finish.

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Dairy-Free Coconut-Pumpkin Pie

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Dairy-Free Coconut-Pumpkin Pie

Perhaps featuring the heaviest hand of holiday spice in the bunch, this pumpkin pie is given yet another twirl for the season with the addition of coconut milk, which makes it dairy-free for any sensitivities. 

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By Southern Living Editors