27 Easy Pumpkin Desserts

It’s September, and we’re fast approaching fall – meaning it’s time for all things pumpkin flavored!

Over the years, pumpkin has become a hit in the culinary world, ranging from the famous pumpkin spice latte to the more savory pumpkin pasta sauce.

Almost all parts of the pumpkin are edible, which is why it has made its way into so many recipes! Subtle but flavorful, this squash is an excellent addition to desserts.

If you love creamy, earthy flavors that pair well with seasonal spices, pumpkin desserts might be just what you’re looking for!

1. Classic Pumpkin Roll

We’re starting off our list of pumpkin dessert recipes with a classic: the pumpkin roll.

Rolls are a festive dessert often seen at holidays, but if you’re a fan, you can make them any time of the year! Especially with the help of canned pumpkin, which is a mainstay of this recipe.

Essentially, a pumpkin roll is a pumpkin sheet cake rolled around a cream cheese-like filling, the perfect blend of warm spices and sweetness.

Ensure you refrigerate the roll when finished for at least an hour, as this will set the filling and form. This cake is a beautiful option for gatherings of family or friends due to the spiral design of each cut.

2. Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese

Bars are great for snacking, as they’re easy to pack and take along with you.

These pumpkin bars stay moist and are filled with mouth-watering spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, which adds a little kick of flavor!

This recipe stands out in the cream cheese mixture, incorporating eggs where other cream cheese frostings don’t. That’s because this cream cheese mix is going to be baked and needs to hold its form.

As an added treat, consider throwing in a handful or two of chocolate chips!

3. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie

This sounds too good to be true, right? A pie that you don’t have to bake!?

If you’re in a rush this holiday season and looking for a delicious, quick, and easy pumpkin dessert to bring along, this is the one for you.

The secret ingredient here is the graham cracker crust, which eliminates the pain of making the perfect pie crust and baking it ahead of time.

Instant vanilla pudding and canned pumpkin puree mean minimal effort.

4. Impossible Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

These cupcakes are far from impossible to make, and they make a great breakfast item as well as dessert!

The cupcakes are moist, sturdy, and full of flavor. The cupcakes are held together by a perfect balance of flour, puree, and evaporated milk.

Keep things simple and light by following the recipe and using whipped cream topping, or whip up a quick cream cheese frosting for a bit of a burst of creamy goodness!

5. Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake

Often cake recipes can be intimidating as they’re complex and take a lot of effort to get just right. But this honey bun cake uses a secret ingredient: boxed cake mix.

By cutting corners with a moist yellow cake mix, you’ll shave a lot of time off of this recipe and end up with the perfect pumpkin-flavored cake to have at breakfast with coffee or after dinner.

The highlight of this quick recipe is the glaze of a frosting, which can often be heavy.

The glaze itself comprises only three ingredients and adds a light sweetness to this warm, walnut-filled cake.

6. Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles

Of all the dessert ideas you thought you’d come across here, I bet truffles weren’t one of them!

Truffles can be an intimidating dessert to make, but they’re a favorite for almost anyone. Bite-size and bursting with flavor, truffles are the perfect vehicle for an after-dinner dessert or mid-day treat.

This recipe combines two delicious treats: truffles and pumpkin cheesecake.

Boxed pumpkin spice cake mix is the secret to getting the perfect texture, and the white chocolate coating adds a fun crunch and cracks to every bite.

7. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

No-bake recipes are the best! They take all of the exhaustion out of a pie or cake and make the process simple. No need to preheat your oven or pre-bake a crust!

If you love some creaminess with your pumpkin spice, this is the dessert for you. Softened cream cheese and instant vanilla pudding make the cheesecake filling perfectly textured and flavorful.

The best part about this recipe? It’s perfect for the holidays when the oven is filled with main and side dishes!

8. Pumpkin Pie Cake

When the table at Thanksgiving is filled with pies, sometimes it’s nice to have a cake option! Thanks to both pumpkin and spice cake mixes, this pumpkin cake has all the flavor of a classic pumpkin pie.

Seem too easy? It isn’t!

Make sure you use cake mixes and don’t substitute with pumpkin puree as that will lead to a soggy cake.

You’ll know this dessert is finished when you give the pan a shake and the cake doesn’t jiggle at all.

For the perfect frosting topping, make sure to cool your cake first.

9. Pumpkin Earthquake Cake

With a name like “earthquake cake,” you’re probably wondering what this dessert could be.

Visually, the earthquake cake almost resembles a chocolate lava cake. It has a crispy, crackly top and a gooey pumpkin center.

The wonderful thing about this simple recipe is there are so many substitution options.

Don’t like coconut? Don’t use it! Prefer milk or dark chocolate over white? Go ahead and use your choice of chocolate chips!

No matter what you choose, you’ll end up with a delicious dessert that gets even better if you top it with vanilla ice cream.

10. Pumpkin Fudge

Fudge is a thick, sweet, sugary candy loved by many. It’s perfect for pretty much any holiday, special occasion, or, let’s be realistic – any day of the week!

The fudge itself is surprisingly easy to make and pairs perfectly with the pumpkin spice flavor.

The secret ingredient in this recipe is golden Oreos! Crushed, they add a wonderful texture to the fudge as well as a lighter flavor.

If you prefer your fudge sweet, you clean leave this ingredient out entirely.

Toss in some nuts, toffee, dried fruit, or sea salt for a little added texture and bursts of goodness!

11. Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Who doesn’t love donuts? They’re the go-to treat for most mornings and are great as a late-night snack as well.

But the original donut recipe can be a pain to make, so these baked pumpkin donuts skip the hard part – no frying in greasy oil!

This recipe makes a dozen donuts that turn out fluffy and flavorful in only half an hour. Anyone looking for easy pumpkin desserts that are also unexpected will love these donuts!

If you’re not a fan of overly sweet donuts, leave out the cinnamon sugar topping or dust with a light topping of cinnamon only instead.

12. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Whoopie pies are nostalgic for a whole generation of people, and good reason. Whoopie pies are a classic New England treat that has somehow been made even more New England-y by adding fall flavors!

While the ingredients list for this recipe might look intimidating, remember that you probably have most of these things in your cupboard right this minute.

The maple cream cheese frosting makes this pumpkin recipe stand out from the pack. Whoopie pies are a great handheld dessert that all ages can enjoy!

13. Pumpkin Crisp

The words autumn and crisp go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise that a pumpkin crisp has made our list of best pumpkin desserts!

Crisps are so versatile, easy to make, and quick to come out of the oven.

They incorporate texture as well as flavorful mouthfuls bursting with pumpkin, oats, spices, and more.

To win over the family, throw a scoop of vanilla or butterscotch ice cream on top of a just-warmed slice of pumpkin crisp. It’s undeniably delicious.

14. Mini Pumpkin Pies

Some people have no impulse control for desserts, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. But if you’d instead not scarf down an entire pie on your own, then this recipe might be just perfect for you!

Mini pumpkin pies are the perfect dessert for wanting something sweet but not overwhelming.

They’re handheld and individually sized. This recipe makes a total of 30, so it’s family-friendly for the holidays.

To tackle the dish quickly, keep an eye out for pre-made tart shells, which can be found in most grocery stores. They’ll give the pies that homemade vibe that everyone loves.

15. Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies

Crinkle cookies have a nostalgic feel to them and are often brought out around the holidays.

These pumpkin crinkle cookies will pave the way for fall and Thanksgiving, as they have a warm, seasonal connotation.

A pro tip for first-timers – while it might be tempting to make these cookies big, smaller cookies will bake more evenly, achieve a better crinkle, and stay nice and soft overall.

16. Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

Cobblers are notoriously easy, and this one is no different!

You might be more familiar with the popular peach cobbler recipe, but if you’re craving those autumn vibes, a pumpkin cobbler is a way to go. This is one of the best pumpkin dessert recipes we can offer!

As with any cobbler, this one pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream, and the pecans give it a depth of flavor and texture that you won’t forget.

17. Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake

The mug cake became a popular option for single-person desserts as it was quick, easy, and delicious.

If you’re looking for a healthy vegan treat, this is the one for you!

This pumpkin mug cake couldn’t be easier or quicker to make – it takes only 3 minutes and 5 ingredients!

If you’re craving something sweet, keep these ingredients around for a quick, microwaveable dessert.

18. Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake

Don’t let the name throw you off – dump cakes are made by “dumping” pretty much all of the ingredients into a bowl at once, and while they won’t turn out a gorgeous dessert, it will be delicious.

This dessert is pretty straightforward for directions, but you will have to wait about an hour for the fully finished cake.

19. No-Bake Pumpkin Trifle

Trifles are layers of ingredients in a glass cup, dish, or bowl. It makes for a beautiful presentation and bypasses the hassle of having to bake and mix ingredients.

The secret ingredient and star here is the pumpkin pie sauce, which shouldn’t be too hard to find now that we’re in pumpkin spice season!

It spreads the flavor throughout this dessert and makes for an attractive, caramel-colored topping as well.

20. Pumpkin Dessert Bars

Love bringing a sweet treat to work with you, or for kids on the go after family dinner?

These pumpkin bars have an easy base using cake mix and are delicious topped with butter and whipped cream.

You can throw in added treats like nuts, dried fruit, and even chocolate to get a little fancy with this fabulous dessert idea.

Make sure you use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, as they are two very different things!

21. Mini Pumpkin Scones

If you’ve tried to make scones before, you might be a bit wary of this recipe, as they aren’t usually easy.

But as long as you have a bit of time and effort to throw into this dessert, you’ll end up with delicious triangles of pumpkin spice goodness!

The secret ingrediehttps://dearcrissy.com/pumpkin-crunch-cake-recipe/nt in this recipe is the hazelnuts, which adds a depth of flavor and a bit of a crunch.

Like a bit of sweetness with your desserts? Make sure you take the time to make the glaze, as well, for a sugary topping that pairs well with pumpkin.

22. Pumpkin Crunch Cake

This isn’t your everyday recipe, but don’t scroll by without giving it a second glance.

This dessert is made up of delicious textured layers. Crunch on top, thanks to the nuts. It’s also moist and throughout for a smooth finish.

Feel free to switch out the nuts called for in this recipe for whatever you prefer. Have someone in the family with a nut allergy? Substitute dried fruit instead.

23. Starbucks Pumpkin Scone Copycat Recipe

This recipe isn’t shy about calling out Starbucks, one of the companies that made pumpkin flavor and pumpkin spice incredibly popular.

The copycat recipe reproduces Starbucks’ famous pumpkin scone pretty much perfectly.

The secret is in the beautifully balanced spices as well as the glaze topping.

Don’t bother overpaying for scones again when you can make them right at home!

24. Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles are perfect for those who like a little sweetness to their dessert but prefer simplicity. If you want to add a little spice to that simplicity, try this recipe!

These snickerdoodles follow a classic ingredients list with pumpkin pie spice in both the mix and the topping.

You can even make this recipe in large batches and freeze cookies for up to 3 months! Let that fall flavor linger into winter to warm you up!

25. Frosted Pumpkin Brownies

You wouldn’t think pumpkin and brownies would go together, but they’re a surprisingly great pair.

Chocolate (in this case, chocolate chips and cocoa) compliments pumpkin, adding a depth of flavor and a little eye-opening surprise.

The frosting is beautifully creamy and festive in color. Cream cheese only adds to the mouthwatering layers of flavor.

26. Pumpkin Pie Bars

What makes this bar stand out from the others on our list?

The from-scratch crust and the crumble topping! Both can be made in the same bowl using the same ingredients.

No switching back and forth between dry and wet.

The filling is beyond simple, using canned pumpkin pie filling for a quick-to-finish dessert that still has a homemade feel thanks to the crust and crumbles.

27. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Cheesecake is irresistible, which is why mini versions are a great idea!

You’ll have at least some control over how much you eat – although we can’t guarantee you’ll stop at two!

The mini cheesecakes have a graham crumble crust that sits inside of an easy-to-take along with a cupcake wrapper. They need to be baked, so this recipe takes a bit longer but is worth the wait.

Top with dollops of whipped cream for presentation!