Pumpkin décor, pumpkin carving, pumpkin desserts—if it’s got pumpkin in the name, you can bet it’s on my fall bucket list. Every year, when October rolls around, my kitchen basically turns into a pumpkin dessert factory (no regrets). From crisp autumn nights to cozy gatherings, there’s just something about baking with pumpkin that makes the season feel extra special.
14 Pumpkin Desserts to Spice up Your Season
And here’s the best part: pumpkin desserts don’t stop at pie. Fresh or canned pumpkin adds magic to everything from chewy cookies to pillowy snack cakes. So if you’re ready to lean into pumpkin spice season in the sweetest way possible, these pumpkin desserts are guaranteed to keep you baking (and snacking) all fall long.
Pumpkin Loaf Cake
If there’s one dessert you try on this list, make it this pumpkin loaf cake. (But really, you should try them all.) This recipe is the perfect blend of fall spices and balanced sweetness. A sweet cream cheese frosting is always a good idea when incorporating warm flavor to create a cozy treat.
Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cinnamon Glaze
Move over, PSL—these pumpkin spice cookies are the real star of the season. Soft, spiced, and impossibly cozy, they’re just as easy to whip up for a fall gathering as they are to enjoy with your afternoon coffee. Homemade never tasted (or smelled) so good.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars
Running short on oven space? No worries — that’s where these no-bake pumpkin pie bars come in. Think pumpkin-spiced filling elevated with fresh, aromatic spices, all layered atop a buttery crust—no oven required. Pro tip: use freshly ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in your pumpkin butter as it simmers. That concentrated filling becomes the flavor engine of the bars. Let those spices sing.
Pumpkin Snack Cake
If you’re like me and crave pumpkin cake at all hours of the day during the fall, this snack cake is your answer. It has a soft, moist texture, topped off with a spiced cinnamon streusel. It’s perfect for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or a post-dinner treat.
Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust
A cozy twist on a classic: this pumpkin pie marries a silky-smooth, spiced filling with a buttery gingersnap crust you’ll crave long after Thanksgiving.
Pumpkin Tiramisu
Give your canned pumpkin a worthy upgrade with this pumpkin tiramisu. Layers of spiced pumpkin cream meet freshly brewed coffee for a fall dessert that feels both elegant and irresistibly cozy.
Healthy Pumpkin Bread
When you’ve got pumpkin purée on hand, this pumpkin bread is your golden ticket—moist, spiced, and 100% satisfying. The caramel drizzle on top? Officially optional—but I wholeheartedly recommend it. It turns a cozy, wholesome loaf into something decadent enough for dessert, without losing the integrity of what makes it a “healthy bread.”
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
My household is a cookie household, even when fall desserts start to take over. Soft, chewy, and loaded with melty dark chocolate chunks, these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are THE cookie recipe of the season.
The Best Pumpkin Cookies
While pumpkin pie is synonymous with the season, we love getting the iconic fall flavor any way we can. Enter: the best pumpkin cookies—ever. We tested plenty of recipes, and the winner had a mildly sweet brown sugar frosting and the best-balanced pumpkin and spice flavor of the bunch.
Banana Pumpkin Muffins
Thanksgiving desserts are a great time to use pumpkin, but I love making these banana pumpkin muffins year-round. They’re a healthy breakfast that I can grab and go during busy weeks, but also enjoy in the evenings with a chai or cup of tea.
Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffins
Morning Glory muffins are a great way to utilize wholesome ingredients you already have on hand in your fridge or pantry. Feel free to swap ingredients in and out to minimize your trips to the grocery store.
The Best Pumpkin Pie
A few years ago, our food editor Suruchi took on the challenge of finding the best pumpkin pie recipe. The winner came from Food Network—the creamiest and richest filling with a good spice blend and delicious crust. (But trust: all of these recipes are worth a try!).
Dairy- and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
This pie shows that pumpkin desserts can be indulgent yet effortlessly crowd-pleasing. Skipping the dairy and gluten without sacrificing a hint of flavor, it’s a great option for making sure everyone can enjoy a slice.
Pumpkin Pie Tartlets with Candied Pepitas
Mini pumpkin pies? Yes, please. These sweet and oh-so-cute tartlets utilize Speculoos (also known as Biscoff cookies) for a deliciously simple pie dough alternative.
This post was last updated on October 9, 2025, to include new insights.
