15 Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes to Make This Fall

If you are looking for pumpkin dessert recipes that are simple, delicious, and practical for home baking, this collection gives you 15 different ideas to try. From classic pumpkin pie to cookies, cheesecake, brownies, pudding, and truffles, these easy pumpkin desserts offer something for almost every occasion.

1. Classic Pumpkin Pie

A smooth, warmly spiced pumpkin filling baked inside a flaky pie crust. This is one of the most popular fall pumpkin desserts and works well for holidays or family dinners.

Ingredients:

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup evaporated milk

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	50 minutes
Total Time	1 hour 5 minutes
Servings	8

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Stir in the evaporated milk until smooth.
5. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C).
7. Bake for another 35 minutes, or until the center is almost set.
8. Cool completely before slicing.

Tip: Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours for cleaner slices.

2. Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake

This rich cheesecake combines cream cheese with pumpkin puree and warm spices for a smooth and impressive dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	20 minutes
Cook Time	1 hour
Total Time	1 hour 20 minutes, plus chilling
Servings	10

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press into the bottom of a springform pan.
3. Beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth.
4. Combine the pumpkin puree with the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. Mix until just combined.
6. Pour the filling over the crust.
7. Bake for about 60 minutes until the edges are set.
8. Allow it to cool fully before chilling it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Tip: Avoid overmixing after adding the eggs to help prevent cracks.

3. Soft Pumpkin Cookies

These soft cookies are lightly spiced and easy to make when you want a quick homemade pumpkin treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	12 minutes
Total Time	27 minutes
Servings	24 cookies

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and brown sugar.
3. Mix in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture.
6. Place rounded spoonfuls of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
8. Cool before serving.

Tip: Add chocolate chips or chopped pecans for extra texture.

4. Pumpkin Spice Bars

Pumpkin bars are soft, moist, and easy to slice for parties, potlucks, or casual desserts.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	30 minutes
Total Time	45 minutes
Servings	12

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
3. Whisk together pumpkin, sugar, oil, and eggs.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
5. Stir until combined.
6. Spread the batter into the pan.
7. Bake for 28 to 30 minutes.
8. Cool before cutting into bars.

5. Easy Pumpkin Bread

This classic quick bread is moist, warmly spiced, and perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	55 minutes
Total Time	1 hour 10 minutes
Servings	10 slices

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a loaf pan.
3. Mix pumpkin, sugar, oil, and eggs.
4. Combine the dry ingredients separately.
5. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
6. Pour the batter into the loaf pan.
7. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes.
8. Cool before slicing.

Tip: Store the bread tightly covered to keep it moist.

6. Pumpkin Muffins

These tender pumpkin muffins are an easy choice for breakfast, snacks, or a simple dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	10 minutes
Cook Time	20 minutes
Total Time	30 minutes
Servings	12 muffins

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line a 12-cup muffin pan.
3. Whisk together pumpkin, sugar, oil, and eggs.
4. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
6. Divide the batter between the muffin cups.
7. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
8. Cool slightly before serving.

7. Fudgy Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin and chocolate create a rich combination in these moist brownies with a lightly spiced flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	30 minutes
Total Time	45 minutes
Servings	12

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix melted butter and sugar.
3. Beat in the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until well combined.
4. Add flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
5. Spread the batter into a greased 8-inch pan.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
7. Cool before slicing.

Tip: Do not overbake if you prefer fudgy brownies.

8. Pumpkin Snack Cake

A simple one-layer cake makes an easy option when you want homemade dessert without complicated decorating.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	35 minutes
Total Time	50 minutes
Servings	9

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease an 8-inch square pan.
3. Mix pumpkin, sugar, butter, and eggs.
4. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
5. Pour into the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
7. Cool and serve plain or with a simple glaze.

9. Pumpkin Cupcakes

These soft cupcakes have a light pumpkin flavor and pair especially well with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	20 minutes
Total Time	35 minutes
Servings	12 cupcakes

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
3. Whisk pumpkin, sugar, oil, and eggs.
4. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
6. Fill each liner about two-thirds full.
7. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
8. Cool completely before frosting.

Tip: Cream cheese frosting provides a tangy contrast to the sweet pumpkin cake.

10. Creamy Pumpkin Pudding

This simple stovetop dessert is smooth, creamy, and a great choice when you do not want to turn on the oven.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	10 minutes
Cook Time	10 minutes
Total Time	20 minutes
Servings	6

Instructions:

1. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan.
2. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth.
3. Add pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Cook over medium heat while stirring continuously.
5. Continue cooking until thickened.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.
7. Divide into serving cups.
8. Chill before serving.

11. Classic Pumpkin Roll

A thin pumpkin sponge cake filled with sweet cream cheese filling creates a beautiful sliced dessert.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons softened butter

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	25 minutes
Cook Time	15 minutes
Total Time	40 minutes, plus cooling
Servings	10

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Beat eggs and sugar until slightly thickened.
5. Mix in pumpkin puree.
6. Fold in the dry ingredients.
7. Spread into the pan and bake for 13 to 15 minutes.
8. Turn onto a clean kitchen towel and roll while warm.
9. Cool completely.
10. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and butter.
11. Unroll the cake, spread with filling, and roll again.
12. Chill before slicing.

Tip: Rolling the cake while warm helps prevent cracking later.

12. Pumpkin Apple Crisp

Pumpkin puree and sliced apples are topped with a buttery oat crumble for a warm and comforting dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sliced apples
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cold butter

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	35 minutes
Total Time	50 minutes
Servings	8

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread the sliced apples in a baking dish.
3. Mix pumpkin puree with brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Spread the pumpkin mixture over the apples.
5. Combine oats, flour, and brown sugar.
6. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
7. Sprinkle over the filling.
8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

13. Pumpkin Spice Truffles

These no-bake truffles are small, rich, and perfect when you want a simple pumpkin-flavored treat.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup crushed vanilla cookies
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	25 minutes
Cook Time	5 minutes
Total Time	30 minutes, plus chilling
Servings	18 truffles

Instructions:

1. Mix pumpkin puree, crushed cookies, cream cheese, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.
3. Roll into small balls.
4. Melt the white chocolate.
5. Dip each truffle into the chocolate.
6. Place on parchment paper.
7. Refrigerate until firm.

Tip: If the mixture is too soft, add a few more crushed cookies before chilling.

14. Pumpkin Spice Rice Pudding

Creamy rice pudding with pumpkin puree and warm spices makes a comforting alternative to traditional pumpkin desserts.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	5 minutes
Cook Time	25 minutes
Total Time	30 minutes
Servings	6

Instructions:

1. Combine cooked rice, milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium-low heat.
3. Stir frequently for about 20 minutes.
4. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
5. Cook for another 5 minutes until creamy.
6. Serve warm or chilled.

15. No-Bake Pumpkin Mousse

This light and creamy mousse is one of the easiest pumpkin dessert ideas when you need a quick dessert without baking.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Recipe Detail	Time or Amount
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	0 minutes
Total Time	15 minutes, plus chilling
Servings	6

Instructions:

1. Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
3. In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree with cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture.
5. Divide between serving glasses.
6. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Tip: Serve with crushed cookies or a small amount of whipped cream.

Useful Tips for Making Pumpkin Desserts

For the best results, use 100% pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling unless the recipe specifically calls for a sweetened, pre-seasoned product. Pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices, which can change the flavor and texture of your dessert.

Pumpkin puree also adds moisture, so avoid adding extra liquid unless the recipe requires it. When baking cakes, muffins, or cookies, mix the batter only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make baked goods dense.

For recipes such as cheesecake, pudding, mousse, and pumpkin roll, allow enough cooling or chilling time. This helps the dessert set properly and improves the final texture.

FAQ: Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

What desserts can I make with pumpkin puree?

Pumpkin puree can be used to make pie, cheesecake, cookies, bars, bread, muffins, brownies, cake, cupcakes, pudding, mousse, truffles, and many other easy pumpkin desserts.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

Usually, no. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices, while pumpkin puree is plain cooked pumpkin. Using pie filling can make a recipe too sweet or change its texture.

Can pumpkin desserts be made ahead of time?

Yes. Many pumpkin desserts can be prepared one or two days ahead. Cheesecake, pie, pudding, mousse, and pumpkin bread often store well when kept properly refrigerated or covered.

What spices go well with pumpkin?

Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice pair especially well with pumpkin. You can also use a prepared pumpkin pie spice blend.

Can I freeze pumpkin desserts?

Many pumpkin recipes freeze well, including pumpkin bread, muffins, cookies, bars, and some cakes. Wrap them tightly and freeze in suitable containers. Cream-based desserts may change texture after thawing.

Conclusion

These 15 pumpkin dessert recipes offer plenty of easy options, whether you want a traditional pumpkin pie, a creamy cheesecake, soft cookies, a quick pudding, or a no-bake mousse. Choose a recipe based on the time and ingredients you have available, and experiment with different pumpkin dessert ideas to find your favorites. With this variety of easy pumpkin recipes, it is simple to create a delicious homemade dessert for family meals, holidays, or everyday baking.