30 Easy Fall Dessert Ideas for a Crowd
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Fall’s here, and what’s a better way to celebrate than gathering around a table full of delicious desserts? Baking for a crowd might sound tough, but I’ve got you covered with some great dessert recipes perfect for sharing.
We’re talking about warm, cozy crumbles packed with seasonal fruits and some seriously rich pies that everyone will love.
This season, think more about big, hearty desserts. Imagine your table with bubbling fruit crisps topped with a crispy golden crust, big slices of cake bursting with pumpkin spice, or a big, hearty apple and pecan cobbler.
Whether you’re hosting a fun Friendsgiving or a cozy family dinner, these recipes will help your dessert table stand out.
Tips for Making the Best Fall Desserts for a Crowd
Know Your Crowd: Keep in mind any dietary restrictions or preferences. It’s always good to have something for everyone, so consider including gluten-free or vegan options.
Portion Wisely: Aim for 1-2 dessert servings per person to ensure everyone gets a taste and you don’t run short.
Prep in Advance: Make your baking day easier by prepping ingredients beforehand. You can chop fruits, measure out dry ingredients, or even prepare pie crusts days ahead.
Seasonal Flavors: Embrace the essence of fall in your desserts. Use staples like apple, pumpkin, and pecan. Don’t forget to experiment with other seasonal gems like pears and cranberries for that extra special touch.
Presentation Matters: Dress up your desserts to impress. Serve them on decorative platters, add a sprinkle of fresh berries or candied nuts, or drizzle with caramel sauce for that perfect finishing touch.
Image credit: amandascookin
These mini pumpkin cheesecakes are incredibly easy to make using staple ingredients and require only about 35 minutes of total prep and cook time—not including the chill time.
Get full recipe from: Amandas Cookin
Image credit: averiecooks
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting — These super soft and moist pumpkin bars make for the perfect easy fall dessert.
The tangy cream cheese frosting complements the rich pumpkin spice flavor beautifully, creating a treat that’s sure to satisfy your autumn dessert cravings!
Get full recipe from: Averie Cooks
Image credit: thefamilyfreezer
Soft spice cookies filled with rich cream cheese frosting take the classic treat to a whole new level. Consider these spiced cookie cream pies as an autumnal take on the traditional “whoopie pie.”
The cookies themselves are made with dark brown sugar and perfectly seasoned with cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg, creating a deep, warm flavor that perfectly complements the smooth frosting.
Get full recipe from: The Family Freezer
Image credit: thesoccermomblog
The carrot cake is made from scratch using real carrots, baked until moist and springy, and filled with a decadent cream cheese frosting. This is a show-stopper of a dessert that looks amazing on the Easter brunch table.
This delightful roll boasts a moist and flavorful cake base studded with shredded carrots, a classic fall ingredient. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger infuse the cake with an inviting aroma, instantly evoking cozy nights and festive gatherings
Get full recipe from: The Soccer Mom Blog
Image credit: livetosweet
The beauty of this dessert display lies in its versatility. Unlike a single cake or pie, it caters to a variety of preferences and dietary needs. Do you have guests who love chocolate? Offer decadent brownies and dark chocolate bark.
Are there fruit enthusiasts in the mix? Include mini apple crisps and fresh pear slices with a drizzle of honey. This self-serve style allows everyone to create their own perfect dessert combination.
Get full recipe from: Live To Sweet
Image credit: livetosweet
This rustic tart boasts a simple yet stunning presentation. A buttery, flaky crust cradles a vibrant filling of plump, jewel-toned plums. Their deep purple hues, dusted with sugar, create a visually captivating centerpiece for any autumn table.
This Plum Tart has a sweet pastry crust filled with fresh plums and a sprinkle of vanilla sugar. That’s it! Simple, not too sweet, and perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Get full recipe from: Live To Sweet
Image credit: onmykidsplate
This easy five-ingredient Pumpkin Pie Dip is cool, creamy and packed with pumpkin spice flavor. This fluffy dip is perfect for dipping apple slices or graham crackers and makes a perfect quick and easy dessert.
This dessert dip can be made ahead a day or two in advance. That always makes my life easier when you are busy but still need to bring a dish to share. This is the perfect dip for sharing, or for adding to a caricature board full of goodies to dip.
Get full recipe from: On My Kid’s Plate
Image credit: erhardtseat
This rustic dessert boasts a warm and inviting aroma. The creamy pumpkin filling, spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, is a true embodiment of fall. The pecan oat topping adds a delightful textural contrast – crunchy, buttery, and bursting with nutty flavor.
The beauty of Pumpkin Crisp lies in its simplicity. Unlike elaborate pies or cakes, this dessert comes together quickly, requiring minimal ingredients and effort. This makes it ideal for busy fall gatherings, allowing you to spend more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen.
Get full recipe from: Erhardt Seat
Image credit: onmykidsplate
This easy pumpkin dump cake is made with a cake mix, and is just as fast as it sounds. Half pumpkin cake, half pumpkin pie, mix the layers and then bake for a delicious gooey pumpkin dessert. This is a great last-minute fall dessert to bring to a party, holiday or potluck.
This pumpkin dump cake recipe has all the cozy flavors of pumpkin spice and fall wrapped into one easy cake. The bottom tastes more like a pumpkin pie dump cake, and the top is a cross between cake and spiced coffee cake.
Get full recipe from: On My Kid’s Plate
Image credit: delicioustable
Caramel Apple Crisp is an easy Fall dessert that tastes just like caramel apples! It is made with just 7 ingredients, and has a golden brown crisp topping and crust, sweet apples, and melted gooey caramel candy.
When the leaves are falling and things slow down. It’s the time of year to make cozy dinners, sip hot cider drinks, and go apple picking with the whole family. Be sure to serve this apple dessert with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get full recipe from: Delicious Table
Image credit: delicioustable
This delightful dish is a beautiful marriage of textures and tastes. Tender, spiced apples nestled beneath a buttery, crumbly oat topping create a symphony of fall flavors. The warm spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, infuse the apples with a cozy aroma, while the crisp topping adds a delightful textural contrast.
The beauty of apple crisp lies in its simplicity. Unlike elaborate cakes or pies, this dessert comes together with minimal effort, making it a lifesaver for busy fall gatherings. The basic recipe requires readily available ingredients, and the preparation process is straightforward.
Get full recipe from: Delicious Table
Image credit: theforkedspoon
These Pumpkin Spice Cookies are soft, fluffy, and filled with comforting fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. A delicious cross between sugar cookies and snickerdoodles, these Easy Pumpkin Cookies are perfect for large holiday gatherings or whenever you’re craving something sweet.
Pumpkin spice cookies embody the essence of fall with their warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and of course, pumpkin puree, a quintessential fall ingredient. The combination of sweet pumpkin flavor and warm spices is a classic crowd-pleaser, perfect for satisfying a variety of palates.
Get full recipe from: The Forked Spoon
Image credit: theforkedspoon
These Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with delicious fall flavors such as cinnamon, pumpkin, and vanilla. Loaded with chewy oats and gooey chocolate chips, these family-favorite Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are easily the best Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies ever.
The sweetness of pumpkin, chewiness of oatmeal, and melty chocolate chips create a flavor and texture combination that appeals to a wide range of palates.
Get full recipe from: The Forked Spoon
Image credit: inthekidskitchen
This delicious apple dump cake is perfect for the coming fall weather. It’s similar to a cinnamon coffee cake, but we used apple pie filling as the liquid to add to our cake mix. The result is a cake that is impossibly fluffy, yet moist and flavorful, with apples baked right into it!.
The combination of sweet apples, a buttery cake mix topping, and warm spices creates a familiar and comforting flavor profile that appeals to a wide variety of palates.
Get full recipe from: In The Kid’s Kitchen
Image credit: xoxobella
The star ingredient, pumpkin puree, is a defining flavor of fall baking. It adds warmth, sweetness, and a touch of spice to the whoopie pies. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies often incorporate fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, further enhancing the seasonal feel.
Their individual size makes them ideal for potlucks, bake sales, or simply sharing with loved ones. So, if you’re looking for a delicious and festive fall dessert, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese & Chocolate Chips are a perfect choice!
Get full recipe from: Xoxo Bella
Image credit: corriecooks
The beauty of Instant Pot Cinnamon Rolls lies in their universal appeal. The warm, gooey center and the sweet, decadent frosting are a flavor combination that transcends generations. Plus, the aroma of cinnamon and sugar simmering in the Instant Pot is guaranteed to set mouths watering and create a truly inviting fall ambiance.
These cinnamon rolls come together quickly and easily, allowing you to spend more time with your guests and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Get full recipe from: Corrie Cooks
Image credit: corriecooks
These sweet spirals of joy have become synonymous with the fall season, and their popularity is no mystery. Imagine a moist, spiced pumpkin cake, rolled up with a velvety cream cheese filling, and dusted with a snowy blanket of powdered sugar.
The pumpkin roll embodies the essence of autumn in every slice, making it a cherished treat for gatherings, holidays, or even a county night in.
Get full recipe from: Corrie Cooks
Image credit: diycandy
Make delicious and chewy pumpkin blondies filled with chocolate and fall spices! These soft blondie bars are a dessert everyone loves. These blondies do have chocolate, but they will still not be as chocolate-y as brownies. That allows more of the pumpkin flavor to make an appearance.
Blondies are a well-loved treat with a base of brown sugar and butter, offering a familiar and comforting flavor for many. Pumpkin puree adds a delicious twist, infusing the blondies with warm fall spices and a touch of sweetness. You can get creative with different fall spices
Get full recipe from: Diy Candy
Image credit: diycandy
This cranberry and orange bread is not just a treat for your taste buds though; it’s a feast for your eyes. With its vibrant specks of crimson cranberries and sunny orange zest, it’s like a sunset you can slice.
Whether you’re a baking novice who can barely tell flour from sugar, or a seasoned pro who can whip up a soufflé blindfolded, this cranberry orange bread is your ticket to a fruity fall baking adventure.
Get full recipe from: Diy Candy
Image credit: lynnswayoflife
Sweet apples, warm Fall spices, and simple yellow cake mix come together to make the most amazing cake mix Apple Cobbler! No one will know you saved yourself some time in the kitchen and used boxed cake mix! It’s a super easy dessert to make in the Fall!
The combination of apple and cake or a cobbler crust is a classic and widely loved dessert flavor. Instead of just a plain cake mix topping, consider adding chopped nuts, a caramel drizzle, or whipped cream for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Get full recipe from: Lynn’s Way Of Life
Image credit: spendwithpennies
This easy recipe for caramel apple cheesecake bars is a standout dessert that rivals any you’ve tried before! These bars feature a decadent cheesecake layer, topped with a sweet apple filling and a crumbly topping.
They make the perfect fall dessert, combining classic flavors in a deliciously easy-to-make treat.
Get full recipe from: Spend With Pennies
Image credit: simplystacie
These Apple Crisp Bars are a delicious fall dessert that is easy to make and guaranteed to be enjoyed by all! I adore traditional apple crisp and this recipe is similar, but you can cut them into bars once they cool.
The bottom layer is a sweet oat cake and is followed by a mouthwatering layer of apples. The topping is another layer of oats that creates a streusel-like topping.
Get full recipe from: Simply Stacie
Image credit: simplystacie
Pumpkin Bread Pudding incorporates the warm, comforting flavors of fall, including pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, making it a perfect fit for the season.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding is a classic fall dessert that can be easily made and served to a crowd. Its seasonal flavors, ease of serving, make-ahead capabilities, variety of options, and gift-worthiness make it a great choice for any fall gathering.
Get full recipe from: Simply Stacie
Image credit: dashfordinner
This easy recipe for Pumpkin No Bake Cookies is perfect for those who love all things pumpkin . Made with simple ingredients like pumpkin puree and oats, these delicious cookies are sure to awaken your Fall spirit and instantly transport you to a cool October morning.
The hardest part of this recipe is boiling the brown sugar and wet ingredients for 90 seconds. Yup, that’s it, from there on everything is so easy.
Get full recipe from: Dash For Dinner
Image credit: ihearteating
This simple recipe makes its own caramel sauce as it bakes. The syrupy nut filling goes well with the apples for the ultimate fall dessert!
Baked apples are a classic fall dessert! It takes just minutes to make this simple dish, and baked apples are a great way to enjoy fresh fall apples.
Get full recipe from: I Heart Eating
Image credit: ihearteating
Baked apples are filled with brown sugar oatmeal filling for a simple dessert that tastes like apple crisp (without all the work).
This baked apple recipe has similar flavors (tender apple, brown sugar oatmeal crisp) to apple crisp, but it’s so much faster and easier to prep!
Get full recipe from: I Heart Eating
Image credit: culinaryshades
Pumpkin mousse is an easy gluten-free dessert made with only 5 ingredients and ready in just about 15 minutes. Check out how to make pumpkin mousse with cream cheese and without gelatin.
The Fall season and pumpkin are analogous and it’s time to enjoy and relish the flavors of pumpkin and pumpkin spice. Pumpkin mousse is one of the cheesecake desserts without the graham cracker base and makes it a perfect gluten-free treat.
Get full recipe from: Culinary Shades
Image credit: ericasrecipes
Pumpkin Pistachio Napoleon with White Chocolate Ganache has dreamy pumpkin pudding and decadent white chocolate ganache, layered with buttery puffed pastry and pistachios. Make this easy, fall dessert for a special treat.
This dessert is easy to make and yet one of the crazy best things ever. So usher in fall, satisfy that pumpkin fetish, and come out a rock star with this Pumpkin Pistachio Napoleon.
Get full recipe from: Erica’s Recipes
Image credit: the soccermomblog
Forget the traditional pumpkin pie! This Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake is the ultimate fall dessert. It’s smooth and creamy, with hints of chocolate and spice, making it a standout favorite at any Thanksgiving or holiday gathering.
This cheesecake adds a luxurious twist to the festive season’s flavor palette, sure to impress all your guests.
Get full recipe from: The Soccer Mom Blog
Image credit: wondermomwannabe
These cookie cups boast a delightful combination of textures and tastes. The base is a soft, chewy pumpkin cookie cup, bursting with warm fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
The star of the show is the rich and gooey caramel filling, adding a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the pumpkin flavor. Every bite is a celebration of autumn.
Get full recipe from: Wonder Mom Wanna Be
