It’s finally fall, which means it’s time for one of our favorite seasonal ingredients, pumpkin, to shine. This timely delight can be used in so many ways, but we are partial to the sweets category. So, we’ve curated a hit list of the best pumpkin desserts to enjoy this autumn. Get ready for pumpkin spice and everything nice with our roundup of pumpkin dessert recipes!
1. Pumpkin Pie
Why not start with the best of the best pumpkin dessert option, the VIP of fall sweets, classic pumpkin pie. Our favorite recipe helps you to craft this quintessential autumnal treat plus shares some pairing tips for easy hosting. For a fun adult twist on pumpkin pie, we especially love the idea of ramping up your pie with some boozy whipped cream. We swear, you’ll “fall” in love with baking all over again!
2. Pumpkin Torte
For a truly show-stopping sweet, try foodie site Taste of Home’s beautiful Pumpkin Torte Recipe. Yellow cake is elevated with pumpkin pie spice and pureed pumpkin is layered between homemade cream cheese/whipped cream frosting. And to top it off? Ooey gooey caramel sauce drizzled all over plus crunchy pecans for a little textural element. We simply can’t imagine anything better!
3. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
Our next entry comes from the stellar husband and wife baking team at Two Peas & Their Pod. One of their most popular recipes is Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars. These bars are almost like a brownie in texture as they’re cakey and soft. Chocolate chips add sweet decadence and richness so you save some calories since frosting isn’t needed. Pumpkin chocolate chip bars are sure to become a new staple in your household this time of year.
4. Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cheesecake is such a classic we simply had to include it in our roundup of easy pumpkin desserts. Our luscious pumpkin cheesecake comes with a buttery graham cracker crust. Then, the filling is crafted with eggs, sugar, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, and some vanilla extract. All the yum. Bonus points: we love the idea of getting creative and trying out a crushed Oreo crust with this recipe too. Imagine all the possibilities!
5. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Courtesy of Taste of Home
These fun cake-like cookies make a cool dessert sandwich perfect for the season. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are another popular entry from Taste of Home. They include a basic sweet filling, but we love the idea of a cream cheese or marshmallow substitute to liven things up a bit. With treats as sweet as this, orange you glad it’s finally fall?
6. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Another great idea for this time of year is our Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. Not only does it walk you through the directions step-by-step, but there are some bonus tips too. They include some inventive variations suggestions like using white chocolate chips for a ghoulish twist, adding oats for a nutritional boost, or increasing the crunch factor with some roasted pumpkin seeds or pepitas.
7. Pumpkin Mousse
Domestic goddess Martha Stewart is responsible for our next pumpkin dessert option, an easy and flavorful pumpkin mousse. Sweetened with another seasonal heavy hitter, maple syrup, this mousse is destined to be a crowd pleaser. It also includes rum, because the only thing that could make dessert better is alcohol. Serve it with homemade whip for an extra gourmet flourish, or consider booze-infused whipped cream as an alternative. Be sure to add a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg for a touch of warmth on top of the cool whip. We cannot wait to make this again and again!
8. Pumpkin Creme Brulee
We didn’t even know this existed until now, but how could we have lived without pumpkin creme brulee for this long!? The Food Network shared this awesome recipe and it’s beyond gourd-geous. Furthermore, you don’t need a creme brulee kitchen torch to get that crispy carmelized sugary finish; the guide details how to get your brulee on with just a broiler too. But a couple items to keep in mind when planning your menus, these little beauties do require lots of ramekins as well as a minimum of two hours of chill time before serving.
9. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
The only thing more charming than any pumpkin dessert? Any mini pumpkin dessert. Enter our newest obsession, pumpkin cheesecake bites. Complete with an impressive gingersnap crust, these bite-sized treats pack a flavorful punch. Cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and seasonal spices combine for a tasty and creamy filling. Extra bonus? You can make them a few days ahead of time for convenience. We recommend topping with homemade whipped cream sprinkled with a touch more of crumbled ginger snap. We may have just “fall”en in love all over again.
10. Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins
Another Martha Stewart recipe, this dessert is a combination of three of our favorite things: muffins, doughnuts, and above all else, pumpkin. Enjoy these Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins as the ultimate embrace of fall. They also provide a cake-like interior with sugar-crusted exterior for a delicate balance of flavors and textures. Buttermilk adds unexpected tang, pumpkin provides natural sweetness, and seasonal spices warm the palette. This dish simply can’t be beat, and it’s even vegetarian to boot.
11. Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Famous chef Bobby Flay can do much more than the grilling he is known for. Our next treat shows his sweeter side, with a delectable Pumpkin Bread Pudding. Add some elegance with the accompaniments, spicy caramel apple sauce for an acidic bite and vanilla bean creme anglaise for richness. Just be prepared to plan ahead for this recipe, as it takes about five hours to complete including non-active baking time. We promise it’s well worth the wait!
12. Pumpkin Roll
Well-known singer turned celebrity chef Trisha Yearwood made the cut for our list of favorite pumpkin desserts with her Pumpkin Roll. Not only is it almost too cute to eat, but it’s tasty too. This Southern-inspired delicacy combines cream cheese with pumpkin cake, a classic pairing. Plus, it takes less than two hours to complete. We love the strategic dusting of powdered sugar at the end, so the first bite is sure to be extra sweet and satisfying. Now that’s what we call Southern hospitality.
13. Pumpkin Cake Pops
The cake pops trend peaked a couple years ago, but that doesn’t mean we are over them yet. This specific recipe for Pumpkin Cake Pops is a surefire way to impress adult guests and kids alike. We even recommend creating a decorating station for these treats to engage children with baking and culinary arts at an early age. Have an adult bake the pumpkin cake base, then kids can assist with dipping the pops into white chocolate and get creative with their choice of garnish; while nuts are a great topping, we like edible glitter for a more glam effect or even simply some pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon sprinkled on top.
14. Pumpkin Dip
Pumpkin Dip is a cool way to harness all those autumnal and holiday vibes into one deconstructed dessert. This Food Network recipe even pulls double duty, as you could consider it for an appetizer based on how you season it and what you pair with it. For our purposes, we’ll stick to the sweet stuff. We think it’s so inventive to serve a different dish inspired by pumpkin pie to change it up a bit. Extra bonus? This takes only ten minutes to whip together.
15. Pumpkin Dump Cake
We’ll start our last pick with an explanation of a dump cake to clear up any confusion with the peculiar name. It’s not complicated as it’s just a really simple dessert that entails dumping ingredients into a pan, giving them a quick stir, then baking. Dump cakes are generally made with a base of cake mix and fruit filling; in our case that means using the ever popular pumpkin as a key factor. This Pumpkin Dump Cake hits every note, with crushed toffee for a touch of salt, sweetness from evaporated milk, and the rich taste of pumpkin from puree and pumpkin pie spice. It’s guaranteed to become one of your seasonal staples!
We truly hope you’ve enjoyed our roundup of favorite autumnal desserts for any occasion. We think they’re all pretty sweet.
