If you can't stand the thought of pumpkin, OD'd on pumpkin spice too early in the season, have kids who don't like it or just need a break from all the orange, we've rounded up 15 fall desserts with absolutely no pumpkin whatsoever. Celebrate fall with its less-appreciated, just-as-delicious flavors like maple, apple and more. Read on and find a new favorite fall treat for your skill level and occasion!
Alyssa from My Sequined Life whipped up these light, airy maple sugar cookies with just the right amount of cinnamon glaze. Roll out the dough and use your favorite cookie cutter to create fun, seasonal shapes.
Make the Recipe
Two Sisters Crafting put a fall twist on traditional Rice Krispies treats with the addition of autumn-inspired food coloring and leaf cookie cutters to create a vibrant display. Serve them on a bright white platter to make the colors pop.
Make the Recipe
Pecan recipes aren't just for Thanksgiving! Enjoy them all season long -- especially this salted caramel pecan cheesecake dip by Nicole from Wonky Wonderful. This five-minute recipe is perfect to whip up right before a party. Serve with cookies and apple slices. If you're making this for a tailgate or game watch, use this festive football tray.
Make the Recipe
Sneak in a bit of autumn's iconic spices -- nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and cloves -- sans pumpkin with this pretty, party-worthy cake by Jaclyn from Cooking Classy. Finish with colorful sprinkles and serve it up on sweet fall dessert plates for a thematic presentation.
Make the Recipe
Want all the colors of fall without fall flavor? Look no further than these cookies by Ashley from Baker By Nature! To create this recipe, she simply took her base cookie dough recipe and added white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and mini Reese's Pieces. With only 10 minutes of prep and 11 minutes of cooking time, these are great to make just before guests come over and serve warm.
Make the Recipe
Buttery shortbread crust, gooey apple pie filling and sweet streusel topping? Sign us up! These worth-breaking-your-diet bars from Sally's Baking Addiction are sure to disappear from your dessert table fast. She uses two different kinds of apples for a more complex flavor. She recommends a tart variety, such as Granny Smith, paired with a sweeter type such as Pink Lady. Keep your floors clean by serving with stylish metallic forks and plenty of napkins.
Make the Recipe
These brownies may be topped with cute little pumpkins, but there's no pumpkin flavor, we promise! Sara from Mom Endeavors created these playful pumpkin patch treats by taking store-bought brownie mix (already prepared brownies will work, too!) then topping them with chocolate frosting, crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and mellowcreme pumpkins. She created the clever pumpkin patch signs by hot-gluing together mini and regular wooden craft sticks, then writing on them with a black permanent marker.
Make the Recipe
We all love the giant chocolate- or caramel-covered apples available come fall, but sometimes they're way too much for one serving. Create a kid- (and calorie-) friendly version with these chocolate turtle apple slices by Lise from Mom Loves Baking. She creates these surprisingly easy fall treats by dipping thick slices of Fuji apples on craft sticks in melted chocolate, drizzling with caramel and topping with pecans. Place parchment or kraft paper under your work surface to keep the mess to a minimum.
Make the Recipe
What's better than pecan pie? A chocolate pecan pie of your very own! Trish from Mom on Time Out uses a muffin tin to create these adorable individual desserts. Serve with fall-themed napkins.
Make the Recipe
Oreo balls are a party favorite year-round, but Beth from The First Year has transformed them into acorns for the ultimate fall treat! She makes the filling, forms into acorn shapes, cools, dips in chocolate, then tops with sprinkles and adds a pretzel stem. Create a clever display by setting your acorns out with decorative fall leaves.
Make the Recipe
This marriage of two all-time favorite desserts -- caramel apple crisp and cheesecake -- comes together in a muffin tin! Dan from Cakes Cottage concocted this recipe mashup that makes the perfect addition to a party table with plenty of finger foods. Serve them on these leaf-inspired dessert plates.
Make the Recipe
Kara from Creations by Kara turns blonde brownies into a definitively fall dessert with the addition of sweet maple and crunchy pecans. Easily transport them to a party or just enjoy them at home!
Make the Recipe
Kristin from Live Simply thinks pears are the unsung heroes of fall -- and we think she may be onto something. Preferring pears' sweeter taste to pumpkins' blander flavor and stringier texture, she created this recipe using just six ingredients: pears, butter, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey. This simple recipe is perfect for a family dinner, dinner party, or as Kristin suggests, you can even sneak it in for breakfast!
Make the Recipe
These adorable deconstructed pies by Kelly from Just a Taste are a traditional apple pie recipe broken down into 10 individual servings (so you don't have to share!). The addition of a just a bit of salt along with gooey caramel adds a surprising element of depth and flavor.
Make the Recipe
This Canadian recipe by Barry from Rock Recipes definitely belongs stateside this fall! He replaced some of the brown and white sugar found in traditional pies with maple syrup, and ended up with a rich, super-sweet treat that pairs perfectly with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Make the Recipe