20 Delicious Fall Desserts Without Pumpkin
Fall is the absolute best season (in my humbly correct opinion) and is filled with all the cozy flavors. From cinnamon rolls to flaky pies, this list comes packed with some of my favorite fall desserts without pumpkin.
While I do love some pumpkin recipes (though I’ve never been a pumpkin pie girl), I know there are many people who don’t. Or at least, are sick of hearing about pumpkin before fall even starts. If you’re one of those people, this list is for you.
From single-serve desserts to bakes that feed a crowd, when the kitchen smells good, my belly and heart are usually pretty happy. Be sure to follow @accentgolden on social for more fall baking inspo!
1. Blueberry Muffin Bread with Crumble Topping
If you’re like me and sometimes can’t be bothered to scoop batter into individual muffin tins, then this loaf is for you. Take all the soft, cinnamon-y goodness that is packed into your favorite blueberry muffins, and turn it into a loaf. Top with a melt-in-your-mouth crumble topping for the perfect slice, every time.
2. Cinnamon Roll Pie with Cream Cheese Filling
This dessert combines two of my favorite things: cinnamon rolls and pie. For this, we’re using store-bought cinnamon roll dough, layered in a homemade pie crust, and baked in a delicious cream cheese filling. If a cinnamon roll were a pie, this would be it.
3. Apple “Pumpkin” Puffs
Ok, I know I said fall desserts without pumpkin, but it doesn’t count if it just looks like the cutest pumpkin! Cut puff pastry (storebought or homemade) into squares, wrap around thinly sliced apples, and bake to the cutest fall dessert you’ve ever seen. To decorate, simply use the stem of some fresh herbs (basil works great!) and add a leaf!
4. Mini Cinnamon Swirls
A fun, mini way to use up store-bought puff pastry. Cut, roll, and bake, then top with a sprinkling of cardamom and cinnamon (fall dessert spice requirements obviously) and a drizzle of sweet glaze. Tiny bites, perfect for a crowd.
5. Ryan’s Homemade Blueberry Pie
A classic blueberry pie, packed with fresh or frozen fruit, all in a flaky, homemade pie crust. One of my favorite pie recipes to date, balancing sweet and tart deliciously. If it were my brother Ryan’s birthday, this pie would be on the table.
6. Spiced Challah Bread
A bake that is as yummy as it is pretty: challah bread. This particular recipe is spiced and filled with dates, for a little sweetness, formed into a knot, and baked. Perfect with a little butter on cozy mornings or turned into French toast.
7. Cherry Pie Cake with Lattice Crust
Where pie and cake lovers meet. The perfect dessert to serve when feeding a crowd with a variety of cravings. Almost as if a cherry coffeecake were to meet a classic cherry pie. Sweet cake topped with homemade cherry pie filling, and a quick flaky crust.
8. Cinnamon Roll Brioche Danishes
For a delicious fall dessert that packs in all the flavor, these brioche danishes deliver every time. A cinnamon-sweet brioche dough, baked with a cream cheese filling, and a cinnamon-sugar crunch rim. Drizzle with a brown sugar cinnamon drizzle and you’ve got yourself a fall flavor-packed treat!
9. Drop Biscuit with Cinnamon-Plum Compote
Who doesn’t love a single-serve treat? I don’t want to know ‘em. This mini dessert takes a simple drop biscuit and levels up the fall flavor volume with a spice-packed plum compote. Salty-sweet and all the good chews. The perfect fall dessert without pumpkin in sight!
10. Homemade Donut Holes with Chocolate Glaze
Favorite donut flavor? I’m a classic gal. Give me a chocolate-glazed donut every time. For these, we’re going bite-sized and dipping them in a smooth cream-soda chocolate glaze. Easy to make, even easier to eat.
11. Apple Streusel Pie
A pie that’s as pretty as it is tasty? Me thinks yes. A buttery, flaky crust base, cinnamon-y streusel, and topped with spirals of sliced apples. If coziness were a purdy pie, it’d be this one.
12. Bubble Bread
There’s not a Thanksgiving that goes by without this on the breakfast table. Easy to make and fun to devour, this cinnamon-sugar bread is about to become a house favorite. Simply dunk pieces of store-bought bread dough (or you can go homemade!) in melted butter and cinnamon sugar. Rise, bake, and get there first, cause this showstopper is gone quickly!
13. Hot Fudge Sundae Pop-Tart Bars
A twist on my favorite Pop-Tart flavor growing up (cause, let’s be honest, Pop-Tarts are actually trash now). If a cookie, brownie, and cake had a baby, that would be the chocolate dough surrounding a vanilla filling, creamy frosting, chocolate drizzle, and, of course, sprinkles. Thick, delicious, and delightfully nostalgic.
14. One Pie with Four Flavors: Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, and Strawberry
Why have four pies when you could have one pie with four flavors? Fall is the time for delicious baking challenges, and this one results in something oh, so yummy. Have a table full of people craving a different filling? Now you’ve satisfied everyone’s tastebuds, with just one pie!
15. Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Pull-Apart Bread
No matter how old I get, I still love to play with my food. And there are few things more delightful to eat than pull-apart bread. This bread brings together the best of fall spices wrapped in a tender bread (thanks, sweet potato!), and drizzled with a yummy brown butter glaze.
16. Chocolate Salted Toffee Tart
Chocolate and salted toffee go together like pretzels and cream cheese (trust me). Take a classic sweet tart crust, fill it with a gooey salted toffee (only two ingredients!), and top it with a smooth chocolate ganache. It’s sweet, it’s salty, and it slices oh, so nicely!
17. Nutella & Date Oatmeal Bars
A chewy oatmeal bar, filled with swirls of chocolaty Nutella. These bars are texture and flavor heaven, packed with oats and chopped dates for the best chew. Plus a little bit of cinnamon, for some added spice. Bonus, they’re ready to eat in under an hour!
18. Snickerdoodle Bars
Take one of fall’s favorite cookies, and make them into thick bars. A snickersdoodle punch in every bite, topped with a simple brown butter cinnamon frosting. Yummmm!
19. Orange Cheesecake with Cranberry Sauce
I make a mean cheesecake, but this one, paired with a cinnamon graham cracker crust, hits all the fruity fall notes. A lightly orange-d cheesecake, spiced crust, and a cranberry sauce topping… oh baby, she’s spicy, creamy, sweet, and tart, all wrapped up in one slice. Bonus, it’s an orange-inspired fall dessert without pumpkin!
20. Spiced Poached Pear
If you want to feel like a pastry chef from the comfort of your own home, you have to make this poached pear this fall. It serves one and will make you feel fancy, while coming together easily. You’ll simmer your pear in a yummy liquid flavored with cloves, cinnamon, orange, and cranberry. Then sit it on a bed of sweet crumble, with some fresh English cream.
For more dessert inspiration…
Here are some of my favorite pies, no-bake, and beginner-friendly baking recipes!
