25 Fall Desserts That Don't Include Pumpkin

Fall approaches, and the air is filled with the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and home-baked treats ... which almost always feature pumpkin. This humble fruit has stolen the spotlight to become the official theme of the post-summer cool-down. But there are so many other soothing tastes that make the change of season a time to celebrate. How many opportunities for maple donuts, cranberry bars, apple cakes, and butter pecan cookies are missed due to the ever-present pumpkin and the familiar spices that often accompany it? Wouldn't it be sweet to have options when it comes to fun flavors for your fall desserts? We think so.

We've gathered a bounty of bakes meant to warm up your autumn without a hint of pumpkin in the whole patch. You'll find gems that make use of lesser-used ingredients like pecan and sweet potato sharing space on the pastry tray with timeless temptations filled with cinnamon, brown butter, and caramel. It's a festival of flavors that honors the spicy, the buttery, the nutty, and the tangy. Give these goodies a spin through the mixer and a little oven time and see how quickly you forget the orange gourd that usually gets all the autumn glory.

Apple crisp is one of the most nostalgic flavors around — a vintage dessert that always has a place at the table. Filled with juicy, sweet apples and plenty of crispy brown sugar crumble, it's the perfect bake for apple-picking season.

While a tart apple like Granny Smith is usually called for in a traditional apple pie, you can opt for a sweeter apple in this recipe to maximize the sugary comfort if you prefer.

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Pecan fans are always in heaven when the mellow earthiness of their favorite nuts shows up on the dessert cart. The idea for reinventing a pecan pie as a bar cookie came in a moment of brilliance that calls for a celebration.

Add a not-so-sweet flavor contrast to these satisfying bars by creating crème fraîche as an alternative to whipped cream. Drop a dollop on top, sit back, and watch the leaves change color.

Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

Skip the trip to the donut shop and bake up your own maple and chocolate bars at home instead. This clever recipe lets you leave the deep fryer in the cupboard in favor of a lighter, oven-baked version of the classic Long John.

Despite the change in cooking method, you won't be disappointed by the authentic feel of these dunkable classics. Be sure not to over-knead your dough to prevent toughness in your bars.

Recipe: Baked Maple and Chocolate Bar Donuts

A favorite at holiday spreads, sweet potato pie is an equal replacement for a pumpkin pie that lends its own joyous personality to the occasion. There's no reason to wait for a special occasion to create one; you can start a new fall tradition by baking a sweet potato pie before the holiday.

Top this pie with a crown of homemade whipped cream and give it a blast of glamor.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Fall desserts get a touch of decadence in this no-bake cheesecake that partners the tangy tastes of cranberry and orange for a marriage made in dessert heaven. The interplay of flavor notes is confirmation that sweet and tart are an ideal autumn match-up.

Twenty-five minutes will get you through this recipe from start to finish, all without turning on the stove. Serve with tea for an elegant extra touch.

Recipe: No Bake Cranberry Orange Cheesecake

Introduce a bit of international flare to your dessert selections with easy-to-make baklava. This beloved Mediterranean pastry is rich with natural flavors like honey, pecans, and cinnamon that are sure to warm your brisk evenings.

There's a bit of a process involved in getting your layers just right in this flaky wonder. Keep your phyllo in the fridge until you're ready to work to make sure it has the proper consistency and be patient as the bake comes together. Once it's finished, you'll be glad you kept at it.

Recipe: Baklava

These crisp and spicy biscuits fall somewhere between a gingersnap and a snickerdoodle, capturing the vintage charm of both. If your sweet tooth tends toward the spicier side of the spectrum, you'll have no trouble enjoying this inspired blend.

Because cookies can get lonely on an otherwise empty dessert table, consider making your own Irish coffee to dip them in. It's an alcoholic version, you can assemble separate mugs to customize each guest's drink if necessary.

Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Why wait for Thanksgiving or Christmas to enjoy a pecan pie when you can make one as soon as autumn arrives? Whether you use farmstand or store-bought pecans, there's no topping the chewy satisfaction of these classic nuts surrounded by caramel-like filling.

Speaking of topping ... how about spooning a bit of chocolate gravy on top of your slices? This heavenly sauce is a cross between hot fudge and ganache.

Recipe: Pecan Pie

These timeless cookies are as fun to eat as they are to pronounce. Snickerdoodles are a step beyond sugar cookies, easier to make than rollouts, but with a familiar buttery flavor made even better with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.

To get this dozen delicious goodies from mixer to table, expect around 20 minutes, including 10 minutes to prepare your dough, eight minutes in the oven, and a few minutes to cool before serving.

Recipe: Snickerdoodles

The chewy, zesty goodness of these cranberry crumble bars are a sneaky way to get your family to eat one of nature's healthiest fruits. The spread in the center is jam-like, lending a gooey decadence that makes every bite feel like autumn is your spiciest season yet.

Because you can cut your bars to the right size for your diners, think about slicing some as single-bite squares and others as larger pieces. This will give every guest a treat that suits their appetite.

Recipe: Cranberry Crumble Bars

Butter pecan isn't just a flavor for ice cream, as these sumptuous cookies attest. Loaded with pecan pieces and flavored with brown sugar and vanilla, your kitchen is bound to smell like a professional bakery.

The trick to capturing the ultimate flavor in your biscuits is roasting your pecans with butter beforehand. Reserve some extra pecan halves so you can add a few to the top as a tasteful garnish on each cookie.

Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Skip the campfire and snuggle up in the living room to enjoy a batch of gourmet s'mores bars. Each nibble provides a bite of the best bits in classic s'mores: a little chocolate, a touch of marshmallow, and a taste of graham crackers all swirled about in a bar that makes fall feel so much cozier.

If you're feeling ambitious, bake an extra batch and wrap them up to give to friends and neighbors to enjoy. You can extend the fun of baking while sharing the sweetness of an autumn treat.

Recipe: Gourmet S'mores Bars