20 Cozy and Comforting Desserts to Make at the First Hint of Fall

Pumpkin Cobbler

Allrecipes member Holly, who shared this recipe, says that when fall rolls around, everyone in her life asks her to make this cobbler recipe. She describes it as a “perfectly spiced pumpkin filling topped with an easy cobbler topping.” It utilizes a simple box of yellow cake mix, so it’s super simple and delicious! Holly suggests topping the cobbler with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.

Rustic Caramel-Apple Tart

If you’re looking for a show-stopping autumn dessert—look no further. This Rustic Caramel-Apple Tart features all the best of autumn: three types of apples, caramel sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, orange, and apricot. Despite its impressive look, this tart only takes 25 minutes to prepare. This tart would be delicious alongside a cup of coffee with breakfast, or served as a dessert with some vanilla bean ice cream.

No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cheesecake Bars

We love a no-bake dessert! This chocolate, pistachio, cheesecake version is a showstopper, and you don}t even have to turn on your oven to make it. “[This is] the most delicious pistachio dessert I’ve ever had,” shared an Allrecipes reviewer. “I didn’t want to make my own pistachio cream so [I ordered some] and decreased the sugar a bit. I was shocked to see this had no reviews so this is me telling you to try this. You won’t be disappointed!”

Banana Bread Tiramisu

There’s no coffee in this tiramisu, but your guests won’t be able to tell! This creamy dessert has lots of cinnamon, fresh slices of banana, spiced rum, and creamy banana-flavored mascarpone nestled between layers of ladyfingers—just like traditional tiramisu. It’s super tasty and piled high, making an impressive dish for your friends, family, or guests. 

Carrot Halwa

This tasty Indian dessert captures the essence of fall in one bite—carrot, pistachio, almond, and cardamom. “So simple, so delicious,” said Allrecipes Allstar Grocery Addict. “[It] turned out beautifully! I was concerned it would be too sweet without any salt added, but I used salted pistachios to make up for it. I recommend toasting the slivered almonds first for richer flavor. [I] will definitely be making this again.”

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls already remind me of autumn—but caramel apple cinnamon rolls? It may just be the most autumnal dish ever! These caramel apple cinnamon rolls are fluffy cinnamon rolls amped up with a sweet apple and caramel filling. Serve them with a drizzle of warmed caramel sauce and eat them for breakfast or as dessert! 

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

These beautiful Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting are dessert-ified versions of the beloved Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole. “[These are the] most unique cupcakes I’ve ever made,” shared one Allrecipes member. “I used white sweet potatoes. I followed the recipe exactly and everything came out great. I was able to make 17 standard size cupcakes and had enough frosting for all. Will make this again for Thanksgiving!”

Apple Crisp

Is it even fall if you don’t bite into a warm, toasty apple crisp? This version has an astounding rating—more than 6,500 users believe this is a five-star recipe. “This is the best crisp topping I’ve found,” said an Allrecipes user. “It’s still crunchy after being refrigerated and microwaved. I’ve used this topping on every other kind of fruit – mixed berry, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and of course apples. All delicious. Highly recommend.”

S’Mores Pie

What happens when you take your favorite childhood sweet treat and turn it into a fleshed-out dessert that can serve a crowd? You get S’Mores Pie! This S’Mores Pie has everything you love in a s’more: a graham cracker crust, chocolate pudding and toasted marshmallow top. You don’t even need to make a bonfire to enjoy this family-favorite dessert. 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Whoopie Pies are a beloved American treat that combines cake and cookies. This pumpkin version utilizes tasty and cakey pumpkin cookies that are filled with a marshmallow-like whoopie pie filling. Several Allrecipes members suggest letting the cookie batter sit and thicken before portioning out and baking. 

“I’ve made these multiple times, and they’re consistently fantastic,” shared one Allrecipes member. “My dad eats these by the dozen and says they’re even better than the ones at the local country market! I usually make a double batch cause let’s face it, a single batch just ain’t gonna last long around here. Definitely 10/10 would recommend.”

Caramel Bars

These oaty and nutty bars are held together with ooey-gooey caramel, making for a toasty treat that tastes like an apple-less crumble. “Fantastic recipe, it’s a standard in my holiday baking,” shared one Allrecipes member. “Lining the pan with foil definitely makes it easier to release and cut, as others have said. This is truly such an easy yet impressive recipe, thank you!”

Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts

Doughnuts can be a pain to make at home—but not with this cheater trick. Try these apple cider stuffed Hawaiian rolls that are reminiscent of apple doughnuts—one Allrecipes member even won a prize in a baking competition with this recipe! “My sister called me to tell me to keep this recipe,” said one Allrecipes member. “She has only done that 4 times in 81 years! Made exactly as written.”

Banana Bread Rice Pudding

Our test kitchen says this banana bread rice pudding is “sweet, creamy, and perfectly spiced. Caramelized bananas add a deep, buttery richness to the rice pudding. Serve warm for a cozy dessert, or chilled for something cool and creamy.”

Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Crescent Bars

Take the stress and mess out of making a cheesecake with this Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Crescent Bars recipe. It takes an hour to prep and bake, making it easy enough for a weeknight dessert, but special enough to bring to friends and family. Crescent rolls keep things simple—you just have to worry about the cheesecake filling and the tasty vanilla glaze.  

Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

You don’t need to pay a visit to Cracker Barrel to enjoy delicious fried apples. Actually, despite the name, these apples are stewed—simmered in a buttery, sweet sauce until tender, and then thickened with a cornstarch slurry. The result is a versatile, autumnal dessert you can eat on its own, or enjoy with ice cream, an oat crumble topping, or many other variations.

Brown Butter Crinkle Cake

This phyllo dough-based dessert is simple, yet special. “I made this exactly as written for my family’s New Year’s party and it was a big hit,” shared one Allrecipes member. “They thought it was similar to baklava, which I agree with. Pretty easy to make, but definitely make it right before you need it—it’s best fresh and warm!”

Pumpkin Chai Latte Bars

This recipe comes from one of the Allrecipes Allstars, Kim, inspired by the flavors of a pumpkin chai latte. It presents beautifully, and features all of the season’s best spices and flavors like cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, black tea, pumpkin, brown sugar, and vanilla. They’re sure to be a hit at your next gathering! 

Caramel-Apple Cake

Allrecipes Recipe Developer Juliana Hale developed this fall-inspired cake she describes as a “tender two-layer white cake [that] includes a layer of gooey apple filling, sweet caramel frosting, and a crunchy streusel topper.” It’s the best of both world—the apple filling and streusel topping of a crumble, with the tender crumb and creamy dressing of a caramel cake. Yum! 

Mama’s Banana Pudding

This recipe comes from the queen, Dolly Parton, and her sister Rachel Parton George. They grew up with their mom, grandma, and aunts making banana pudding, making it a legendary dessert in the Parton household. “This is an old timey recipe,” said one Allrecipes member. “My mother’s oldest sister had 9 children and this recipe was perfect for her family and me and my brothers. I loved going to her house to eat. Her table was always full of good things to eat. Thank you Dolly and Rachel for the recipe.”

Éclair Cake

Allrecipes member Cathy Gordon, who shared this recipe, describes this Éclair Cake as a very quick and simple no-bake dessert. “It uses graham crackers and a pudding mixture. It tastes just like an éclair, but there is enough for a crowd,” she says. “It is a great recipe for children who are learning to cook since there is no baking involved or any power kitchen tools. Just a bowl and a spoon!”