There’s nothing like the warmth of fall flavors. From cinnamon-kissed apples to spiced elderberry cocoa, these desserts bring the perfect touch of fall into your kitchen.
The crisp feeling in the air and the colorful leaves remind us that fall is finally here. Fall is my favorite season, hands down, zero doubt about it. But one of my favorite things about fall is comfort food — more specifically, cozy desserts.
The flavors of fall are what hook me during this season. Nothing beats sipping on warm cocoa or indulging in anything with cinnamon or pumpkin. Every bite carries the warmth of a fireplace and the joy of the season all at once.
For me, fall desserts are more than just sweets; they’re a tradition. Baking fall desserts fills the kitchen with the most amazing aromas, and sharing them with family makes the season feel even more special. These recipes are simple, but they bring comfort and warmth on those chilly nights.
So, if you’re ready to embrace everything this season has to offer, here are seven of my favorite fall-inspired desserts. From hot cocoa to spiced apples, pears and cinnamon-infused treats.
1. Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples
Warm apples and cinnamon, um, yes please! Not to mention the maple, honey, oat crumble topping — talk about topping it off right. This one is at the top of my list because it's incredibly easy to throw together at the last minute. So when that sweet tooth craving hits, it won't be long before you're enjoying this cozy dessert.
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Naturally Sweet: No added sugars here, just pure raw honey and maple syrup — healthy and simple. Plus, the honey and maple flavors blend so well in this recipe.
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Customizable: This is one of those desserts that is so easy to spice up. Add a dollop of whipped cream, warm butter, ice cream, caramel… the choices are endless.
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Quick & Easy: In less than one hour, you’ll be indulging in this yummy fall-inspired dessert; it’s that easy.
2. Spiced Elderberry Hot Cocoa
Sipping on a hot drink in the fall is the best feeling ever. The chill in the air is countered by the sweet, warm drink in your hands — that’s the best fall feeling ever. Don’t get me wrong, hot cider is great, but hot cocoa is superior. What makes this cocoa even better is the hint of spices and elderberry added to it.
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Immune Supporting: The elderberry in this hot cocoa does wonders for your immune system — it loads you up on antioxidants and vitamins.
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Shareable: This cocoa is super easy to make in batch amounts, making it perfect for sharing with your family and friends on a cold night.
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The Coziest: I could go on and on forever about this cocoa, but it really is so relaxing to sip on after a long day or by the bonfire.
3. Elderberry Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkin rolls are a tradition in our house — every year, right before Thanksgiving, I make them. We have them with our breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. A few years back, I added a nice twist to my original recipe, and here it is — a classic pumpkin roll with elderberry cream cheese.
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Sweet & Tart: This treat is the perfect example of how delightful the combination of sweet and tart can be. The elderberry brings a subtle berry tartness to this rich and creamy dessert.
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Beautiful Presentation: The slices from this elderberry pumpkin roll are so gorgeous, not kidding. It’s also perfect for impressing guests.
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Concise Instructions: It can look daunting, but this recipe isn't as hard as it seems. The clear instructions will lead you every step of the way.
4. Old-Fashioned Elderberry Cherry Pie
Nothing says fall like a good old home-baked pie. This elderberry cherry pie tastes just like home. It takes some time and effort, but my goodness, it’s beyond worth it. Honestly, when I first tried this recipe, I wasn’t sure if cherry and elderberry would be good together. This pie quickly proved me wrong.
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Full of Antioxidants: Cherries and elderberries contain fantastic immune-boosting antioxidants. This pie is not only delicious but also beneficial for your health.
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Twist on the Classic Cherry Pie: If you love cherry pie, this recipe is just for you. The elderberries complement the cherries, and the combination elevates this dessert.
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Free From Refined Sugar: There is zero added sugar in this pie! There are only the natural sugars from the elderberries and cherries.
5. Cinnamon Donuts With Elderberry Icing
Do you ever crave a good donut? Well, I definitely do, and a lot. But what stops me is that most donuts are full of toxic and unsafe ingredients. The good news is that I found a way to still have donuts without compromising. I gave it a shot and made this homemade, clean and healthy donut recipe.
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Wholesome: The ingredients in this recipe are nutritious and simple — there aren't any artificial ingredients like store-bought donuts.
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Kid Approved: Let’s be real, kids love donuts. Luckily, they also love these healthy homemade donuts as well — it’s the perfect sweet treat.
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Simple Steps: These donuts are surprisingly easy to make. The instructions are simple and foolproof.
6. Honey Baked Pears
Baked apples are great, but baked pears might just surprise you — they’re simple and so delicious. These pears are drizzled in honey, then baked and topped with elderberry yogurt, granola and a dash of cinnamon.
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Health Boosting: Elderberries and honey offer numerous health benefits, while Greek yogurt provides wonderful probiotics for your digestive system.
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Good Protein: Greek yogurt and granola are both fantastic sources of protein.
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Perfect Breakfast: Building on my last point, incorporating protein into your morning routine can make all the difference. Plus, it’s so easy to whip these up, making it a great, simple breakfast.
7. Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
Making homemade cinnamon rolls can be a tedious task. That’s why I came up with this super-easy cinnamon roll coffee cake recipe. It’s made with wholesome ingredients, plus it’s also gluten-free. So if you’re craving a good dessert for fall, or if you’re avoiding gluten, this one's for you.
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Easy to Make Ahead: This recipe isn't very complicated, and the leftovers are great. It’s another recipe that's easy to prep ahead of time.
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Yummy Fall Breakfast: We love having this cake on hand for a chilly fall morning. Sipping a cup of hot tea or coffee with this cake will make your day.
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Gluten-Free: Gluten doesn't work for everyone, so this recipe is a perfect option — all the cozy flavor, no gluten required.
Enjoy Fall Like Never Before
Fall has a way of slowing us down and reminding us to cherish the little things — like a warm slice of pie, a mug of cocoa or a dessert with cinnamon and pumpkin flavors. From apples and pears to rich spices and hot cocoa, these treats are the perfect way to make the fall season feel extra special.
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