44 Irresistible Pumpkin Desserts Starring Fall's Favorite Flavor

Pumpkin Bread Trifle
Photo: Carson Downing

With classic pumpkin desserts like pumpkin pie and new favorites like pumpkin bread pudding and pumpkin cupcakes, our collection of pumpkin dessert recipes will have you prepared for any fall gathering. There's no doubt about it: Pumpkin is the quintessential fall flavor. We especially love pumpkin recipes for Thanksgiving, but these pumpkin desserts can be enjoyed year-round.

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Pumpkin-Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Pumpkin-Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Jason Donnelly

Look out, old-school chocolate chip cookies! We have eyes for another treat on the tray: Pumpkin-chocolate chunk cookies. This classic favorite (with a fall twist) can be stored at room temperature for three days or in the freezer for up to three months, making them a great cookie to have on hand throughout the holiday season.

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Pumpkin Pan Pie

Pumpkin Pan Pie
Blaine Moats

Stretch your pumpkin pie by baking an extra-large version in a 15x10-inch baking pan ($25, William Sonoma). Other than its shape, this pumpkin pie recipe has everything we love about the traditional version—canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and whipped cream on top. Your guests won't mind the rectangular slices if it means there's enough for seconds this year!

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Pumpkin Pie Pops

Pumpkin Pie Pops
Hannah Bigot

No eating utensils are necessary for these on-a-stick pumpkin treats. Luscious pumpkin filling is sandwiched between pie crust cutouts, so you and your guests can enjoy a taste of pumpkin pie without committing to an entire slice. Cleanup after serving this pumpkin dessert is minimal because you don't even need a plate.

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Glazed Pumpkin-Pecan Cakes

Glazed Pumpkin-Pecan Cakes
Adam Albright

We're not against a slice of pumpkin bread for breakfast, but the sugary glaze on top of this loaf puts it firmly in dessert territory. You can make it into adorable individual cakes or pour the batter into a 10-inch fluted tube pan for a showstopping centerpiece cake.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Mug Cake

Pumpkin Spice Latte Mug Cake
Hannah Bigot

Have a pumpkin treat ready to eat in minutes by letting your microwave bake this pumpkin cake for you. One quick zap and a dollop of whipped cream later, you'll be curled up with this pumpkin-spiced dessert (no sharing required!). It's a different pumpkin spice treat than we're used to having in a mug, but you can include a latte on the side, if you so desire.

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Cinnamon-Sugar Bourbon-Pumpkin Muffins

Cinnamon-Sugar Bourbon-Pumpkin Muffins
Blaine Moats

A splash of bourbon and a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar topping turns plain pumpkin muffins into rich, dessert-worthy treats. But if that alone doesn't satisfy your sweet tooth, you can always drizzle with bourbon icing before serving. If you like sweet breakfasts, we won't judge if you grab one of these pumpkin desserts on your way out the door in the morning.

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Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Pie

Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Pie
Scott Little

Thanksgiving menus aren't complete without pumpkin pie, but this recipe mashes up the holiday classic with another seasonal favorite—pecan pie. Make your own deep-dish pie crust from scratch or use a store-bought one to streamline the process. Either way, it is sure to delight everyone at the table.

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Pumpkin-Pecan Tassies

Pumpkin Pecan Tassies

Nothing is better than tiny, bite-sized treats—especially when those bites contain the perfect marriage of pumpkin and pecan pie. Even better, since these tassies are made with cookie-cutter rounds of store-bought pie dough, these delicious bites take just 30 minutes to assemble (and even less time to devour).

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Luscious Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies

Luscious Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies
Jason Donnelly

Instead of making you choose between two favorite flavors, these pumpkin dessert bars combine chocolate with pumpkin. Swirling the two flavors together creates a delicious pumpkin bar—not to mention pretty marbled tops. Serve them up at a party for a tasty pumpkin treat that's picture-perfect, too.

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Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies
Blaine Moats

These oh-so-soft pumpkin cookies are topped with a brown sugar frosting—the perfect complement to this harvest dessert. This pumpkin recipe yields 60 cookies, so you'll have plenty to share (even though we know you won't want to!).

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Toffee Pumpkin Snack Cake

Toffee Pumpkin Snack Cake
Jason Donnelly

There's never been a tastier combination than pumpkin and toffee, and an additional drizzle of cream cheese frosting on top makes every bite of this snack cake truly decadent. Surprisingly, this pumpkin cake has a few healthy ingredients, such as flax seeds, buckwheat flour, and spelt flour, so there's some nutritional benefit to your dessert. Go ahead, sneak a slice for yourself before serving.

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Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
Blaine Moats

Two is better than one, especially when it comes to fall pumpkin desserts. Rich chocolate and pumpkin meet in this layered cheesecake that's housed in a scrumptious chocolate cookie crust. You can also make this cheesecake ahead of time and chill it for up to 48 hours.

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Carrot-Pumpkin Bars

Carrot-Pumpkin Bars

What happened when a carrot and a pumpkin walked into the kitchen together? These delicious dessert bars with a healthyish secret—they are packed with a serving of beta carotene-rich carrots! Dust with a sprinkling of powdered sugar for a simple finish or make them your own with a layer of carrot cake-inspired frosting.

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Frosted Pumpkin Bars

Frosted Pumpkin Bars
Courtesy

Pumpkin bars might not be on your list of pumpkin desserts, but this recipe should be. The secret is to bake them in a jelly roll pan so you get a perfect ratio of frosting to cake. Top the finished bars with cute pumpkin candies for a treat that is sure to be a fall party favorite.

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Pumpkin Cake Roll

Pumpkin Cake Roll
Jason Donnelly

For a new twist on pumpkin cakes, try our fluffy cinnamon-spiced pumpkin cake roll. With its vanilla cream cheese frosting rolled in the middle, it's a scrumptious alternative to classic pumpkin cakes. Plus, one look at this layered pumpkin dessert and your guests will instantly be impressed.

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Spiced Pumpkin Donuts

Spiced Pumpkin Donuts
Kritsada Panichgul

Pumpkin, sugar, and cinnamon. Could this homemade donut recipe be more perfect for fall? Fry these fluffy donuts until golden and roll them in a sweet spiced sugar coating.

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Warm Pumpkin Blueberry Bread

Warm Pumpkin Blueberry Bread
Scott Little

Juicy blueberries join with pumpkin pie spice in this ultra-buttery pumpkin bread. Top it with walnuts for a dessert you and your family will go nuts for. One of the best features of this pumpkin spice dessert is that it bakes in your slow cooker ($25, Target), so you can set it and forget it—until it's time to eat.

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Easy Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

Easy Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
Blaine Moats

What makes these pumpkin cupcakes so easy? The double dollop on top starts with purchased fluffy white frosting, plus a sprinkle of cinnamon and crushed graham crackers. The cake is easy, too! Canned pumpkin and a touch of sour cream transform shortcut yellow cake mix into a spongy, delicious pumpkin dessert.

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Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Brie Passano

Between the nutty gingersnap crust and the spiced cream cheese-and-pumpkin topping, these rich pumpkin dessert squares offer so much we can't decide what we like best. Either way, we know we're serving this impressive treat at our next fall get-together

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Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake

Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake
Jason Donnelly

Tiramisu recipes are always fancy with a homemade coffee syrup and maple-mascarpone cream. Adding canned pumpkin gives this version a flavor twist and helps keep the pumpkin cake fresh and moist. The best decoration for this layered pumpkin dessert is a few chopped hazelnuts and grated dark chocolate if desired.

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Pumpkin Gingerbread Truffles

Pumpkin-Gingerbread Truffles
Jason Donnelly

Pumpkin desserts are great, but no-bake pumpkin desserts are best because you don't even have to turn on your oven. These pumpkin-gingerbread truffles are surprisingly easy to make and they are the perfect addition to any fall holiday thanks to the spicy bite of the gingersnaps and the decadent blend of chocolate and pumpkin.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie

Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie
Andy Lyons

Have your latte and eat it, too. This delicious pumpkin dessert combines the spiced flavors of a Pumpkin Spice Latte with the creamy decadence of pumpkin pie. How can we say no to two of our favorite pumpkin treats in one?

Buy It: Pyrex 9.5-Inch Pie Plate ($6, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Pumpkin Ice Cream

Pumpkin Ice Cream
Con Poulos

Chock-full of autumn flavors like pumpkin, pie spice, and Cognac, this ice cream recipe is a fun way to feature pumpkin. Serve it on a warm slice of cake or pie, or on its own for a creamy fall-inspired pumpkin dessert. This pumpkin ice cream recipe is especially tasty with a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top.

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Pumpkin-Spice Whoopies

Pumpkin-Spice Whoopies
Kim Cornelison

An easy-to-make spiced marshmallow filling makes these cakelike pumpkin cookies even more delicious. This simple recipe using canned pumpkin creates an unexpected Thanksgiving dessert, with less cleanup than pulling out plates and forks for pie.

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Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars

Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars
Blaine Moats

Crushed sweet toffee, earthy toasted pecans, and a spiced ginger crumb crust give these creamy pumpkin bars a pleasing crunch. This is the ultimate pumpkin dessert for the sweet-and-salty combination you crave. We've already sung the praises of adding toffee to pumpkin desserts, and adding pecans takes it next level.

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No-Bake Pumpkin-Swirl Cheesecake

No-Bake Pumpkin-Swirl Cheesecake
Andy Lyons

If you want to take a break from pie this year, swap in this cheesecake for your usual Thanksgiving pumpkin recipes. Make this delicious no-bake pumpkin cheesecake featuring a graham cracker crust and pumpkin-cream cheese filling ahead of time and chill it for up to 24 hours.

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Pumpkin Cookies with White Chocolate Chips

Pumpkin Cookies with White Chocolate Chips
Jason Donnelly

Give pumpkin cookies a twist by adding white chocolate chips to your dough. Like regular chocolate chip cookies, this pumpkin dessert is tastiest fresh out of the oven, still warm with slightly melty chips. One batch makes 60 cookies, so you'll have plenty to share.

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Double-Pumpkin Pie with Oat Crust

Double-Pumpkin Pie with Oat Crust
Andy Lyons

This classic pumpkin pie gets double the flavor from canned pumpkin and pumpkin butter. Serve it with cinnamon ice cream, and your guests will be thankful they came to your house for this fall-flavor pumpkin dessert!

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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Mascarpone Cream Filling

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Mascarpone Cream Filling
Jason Donnelly

Delightful fall flavors—brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg—meet canned pumpkin in these so-soft sandwiched pumpkin cupcakes. Fill and top these luscious pumpkin cakes with our creamy homemade mascarpone spread. We consider them one of our best pumpkin desserts, and we have no doubt they'll be your favorite cupcake recipe, even outside the fall season.

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Cream Puffs with Pumpkin Ice Cream

side view of Cream Puffs filled with Pumpkin Ice Cream and chocolate drizzle
Carson Downing

These pumpkin pastries are not for breakfast. With creamy, decadent no-churn pumpkin ice cream sandwiched in the middle, these cream puffs are a tasty and creative substitute for traditional cookie-based ice cream sandwiches.

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Pumpkin Sandwich Cake

Pumpkin Sandwich Cake
Andy Lyons

Looking for the ultimate pumpkin dessert? Our crowd-pleasing pumpkin cake features a gorgeous chocolate frosting and a layer of tangy cream cheese. This layered pumpkin cake will be a guaranteed hit every time you make it.

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Maple-Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Maple-Pumpkin Creme Brulee
Jason Donnelly

Canned pumpkin, maple syrup, and whipping cream form the base of this creamy, dreamy fall creme brulee. When you add decadent caramelized sugar on top, these pumpkin sweets are a true holiday showstopper. And when you bake them in ramekins ($12, Williams Sonoma), everyone gets to crack through their own sugar topper.

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Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Bars

Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Bars

This fall, opt for a pumpkin dessert with plenty of oomph thanks to a decadent swirl of cream cheese and rich, melted chocolate. These make-ahead pumpkin dessert bars showcase traditional fall flavors and are perfectly packable for gifting or for lunchbox treats. We'd tell you that just one bar is enough, but we always end up going back for more.

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Double-Decker Pumpkin Bread

Double-Decker Pumpkin Bread
Blaine Moats

Stuffed with a cream cheese, sour cream, and crystallized ginger filling, this so-good pumpkin bread recipe is in a league of its own. Store this moist and flavorful pumpkin treat in the refrigerator for up to one week. Then, you can carve off a slice whenever you need a quick pumpkin dessert.

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Chocolate-Drizzled Pumpkin Profiteroles

Chocolate-Drizzled Pumpkin Profiteroles
Kritsada Panichgul

These impressive cream puffs are filled with pumpkin custard made from canned pumpkin. A spoonful of chocolate sauce finishes these melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin desserts. We'll happily grab one after Thanksgiving dinner to satisfy both our pumpkin and chocolate cravings with one treat.

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Maple-Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie

Maple-Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie
Kim Cornelison

It's hard to go wrong with traditional pumpkin pie—but a little maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon will give this classic Thanksgiving dessert an extra-special touch. A spoonful of maple whipped cream tops the pumpkin dessert with a cool, fluffy finish.

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Pumpkin Butter Baby Cakes

Pumpkin Butter Baby Cakes
Jason Donnelly

Creamy pumpkin butter, rich toasted walnuts, and sweet caramel sauce bring the flavors of fall to these moist mini pumpkin cakes. Enjoy this pumpkin dessert recipe with a warm mug of cider. Or you can eat it alongside your favorite fall latte!

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Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
Blaine Moats

Layer spiced pumpkin, delectable chocolate, and rich cream cheese on a graham cracker crust for a scrumptious pumpkin treat you can make ahead. We love these layered pumpkin desserts because they combine tons of fall flavors into one delicious bar. Sprinkles of nutmeg and chocolate curls give these pumpkin sweets a decadent finish.

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Microwave Pumpkin Fudge

pumpkin fudge and chocolate truffles in rows

Try this irresistible pumpkin fudge for a delightful party favor or hostess gift. You can make these yummy pumpkin squares with just seven main ingredients and any add-ins you like (such as crunchy, toasted walnuts, white chocolate chips, or tiny marshmallows). Plus, they take only 20 minutes to prepare.

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Pumpkin Swirl Blondies

Pumpkin Swirl Blondies
Andy Lyons

No need to choose between blondies or pumpkin bars with these gooey pumpkin bar blondies. They are great for dipping into a cup of espresso or pumpkin spice latte; you could also serve them alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Toffee bits, cinnamon, and brown sugar? Yes, please.

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Ginger-Pumpkin Meringue Pie

Ginger Pumpkin Meringue Pie sitting on table
Adding ground ginger to the filling and using a gingersnap-graham cracker crust transforms traditional pumpkin pie just enough to help it fit in on your Chinese Thanksgiving menu. Jason Donnelly

Light-as-air meringue tops this luscious pumpkin pie. The filling has canned pumpkin and ginger; the crust is made with gingersnaps and crushed graham crackers. Serve it for the holidays—this pie will outshine all your other Thanksgiving desserts.

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Pumpkin-Biscotti Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce

Pumpkin-Biscotti Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce
Kritsada Panichgul

The savor-it flavors of canned pumpkin and nutmeg kick up traditional bread pudding. A drizzle of freshly made bourbon brown sugar caramel provides the finish to this delectable pumpkin dessert recipe. If you're not a fan of bourbon, you can also use a classic caramel drizzle to top this pumpkin treat.

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Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars

Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars
Blaine Moats

Four-ingredient browned-butter frosting and chopped walnuts top these moist pumpkin nut bars. This yummy recipe yields 48 bars, making it an ideal addition to your holiday dessert buffet. Serving pumpkin bars is certainly easier than trying to make 48 servings of pie!

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Pumpkin Bread Trifle

Pumpkin Bread Trifle
Carson Downing

We know you usually expect cake when you dive spoon-first into a trifle, but swapping in pumpkin bread is just as tasty and gives this dessert a fall twist. For one of the best pumpkin desserts you've ever tried, layer together pumpkin bread cubes, candied pecans, and homemade whipped cream. To really make it decadent, you can also add pomegranate seeds and a caramel drizzle on top of the final layer.

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