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It is that time of year when the leaves are beginning to turn with the temperature drop and all you can think about is being cozy and comfortable: welcome to fall! What better way to get into the spirit than by indulging in delicious fall desserts that capture the essence of the season?  

Fall in Love with These Spices and Ingredients 

Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves… these spices are the heart of the fall flavor profile and most found in the season’s popular recipes. This wonderful blend of spices is key to encompassing the depth and richness found in your typical fall sustenance.  

Fall desserts often feature ingredients such as apples, pears, pumpkins, and cranberries. A delightful mix of sweetness and freshness, these seasonal fruits are sure to satisfy your cravings through pies, tarts and more.  

Must Try Fall Dessert Recipes 

Now that we have your stomach rumbling, let’s jump into a few fall baking ideas that you can try on your own. These easy-to-follow recipes are sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. Don your apron, gather your supplies and let’s get to it! 

1. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes 

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (about 4-5 medium-sized apples) 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
• ½ cup all-purpose flour 
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats 

• ½ cup packed brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• ¼ teaspoon salt 
• ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 
• ½ cup caramel sauce 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish. 

2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. 

3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. 

4. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 

5. Place the sliced apples in the prepared baking dish and drizzle with caramel sauce. 

6. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples. 

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. 

8. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. 
    

2. Caramel Apple Crisp 

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (about 4-5 medium-sized apples) 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
• ½ cup all-purpose flour 
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats 

• ½ cup packed brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• ¼ teaspoon salt 
• ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 
• ½ cup caramel sauce 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish. 

2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. 

3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. 

4. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 

5. Place the sliced apples in the prepared baking dish and drizzle with caramel sauce. 

6. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apples. 

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. 

8. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. 
    

Beginners Guide to Easy Fall Baking 

Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered! Choose from fall dessert recipes that require minimal effort and ingredients. We’ve selected a few to get you started that are sure to be crowd pleasers.  

1. Apple Cinnamon Muffins 

Ingredients: 

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 
• ½ cup granulated sugar 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• ½ teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

• 1 egg 
• ½ cup milk 
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 ½ cups diced apples 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. 

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. 

3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix well. 

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. 

5. Fold in the diced apples. 

6. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them about 2/3 full. 

7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

8. Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. 
    

2. Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup rolled oats 
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 
• 1/4 cup almond butter 
• 1/4 cup honey 

• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed 
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 
• Pinch of salt 

Instructions: 

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients until well mixed. 

2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the mixture to firm up. 

3. Once chilled, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls using your hands. 

4. Place the energy balls on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate for another 30 minutes to set. 

5. Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

6. Enjoy as a quick and healthy fall snack! 

Classic Desserts with a Twist 

Although you can never go wrong with a classic apple crumble or pumpkin pie, it can be fun to switch out a traditional fall dessert for something with a more intriguing twist. Inspire your inner dessert innovator by trying these classic fall treats with a twist. 

1. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Gingersnap Crust 

Ingredients: 

• 1 ½ cups gingersnap cookie crumbs 
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted 
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened 

• ¾ cup granulated sugar 
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 
• Whipped cream for serving 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper. 

2. In a medium bowl, combine the gingersnap cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. 

3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. 

4. Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until well combined. 

5. Pour the pumpkin cheesecake mixture over the crust and spread it evenly. 

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly. 

7. Allow the bars to cool completely before refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight. 

8. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped cream on top. 

2. Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls 

Ingredients: 
For the dough: 

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 

• ¼ cup granulated sugar 
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• ¾ cup milk 
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 

• 2 large eggs 

For the filling: 

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar 
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 

• 1 cup chopped pecans 

For the glaze: 

• 1 cup powdered sugar 
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 
• 1-2 tablespoons milk 

Instructions: 

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. 
• In a separate microwave-safe bowl, heat the milk and melted butter until warm. 
• Add the milk mixture and eggs to the dry ingredients. Stir until a soft dough forms. 
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. 

• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. 
• Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle. 
• Spread the softened butter over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. 
• In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered dough. 
• Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

• Starting from one long side, roll the dough up tightly into a log. 
• Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal-sized rolls. 
• Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes. 
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. 
• While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth. 

• Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls and serve. 

Fall into This Year’s Trends 

Be the trendsetter in your circle and keep your fall baking fresh and exciting with these popular themes. 

1. Salted Caramel Everything 

Salted caramel has been a popular flavor for years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. From salted caramel apple pies to salted caramel brownies, this sweet and salty combination is a hit with dessert lovers everywhere. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ways to incorporate salted caramel into your fall desserts. 

2. Boozy Bakes 

With cozy nights in and holiday celebrations on the horizon, fall is the perfect time to indulge in boozy bakes. From bourbon-infused pecan pies to rum-spiked pumpkin bread, adding a splash of alcohol to your desserts can take them to the next level. Just be sure to adjust the recipe accordingly and enjoy responsibly. 

3. Harvest-inspired Decorations  

Embrace the beauty of fall by incorporating harvest-inspired decorations into your dessert presentations. Think edible sugar leaves, chocolate acorns, and caramel drizzles that mimic falling leaves. These small touches will not only enhance the visual appeal of your desserts but also add a festive touch to your autumn gatherings. 

Conclusion 

As the seasons change and nature puts on a spectacular show, embrace the flavors of fall in your baking. From spiced pumpkin pies to caramel apple crisps, there’s no shortage of delicious fall desserts to satisfy your cravings. Experiment with different fall dessert recipes, spices, ingredients, and presentation ideas to create your own signature fall treats.  

Looking for more ideas to get into the fall spirit? Check out our blog Fall Into Style: How to Spruce Up Your Home with Gorgeous Fall Décor.