45+ Pumpkin Desserts So Good, You’ll Want to Bake Them All Season Long

When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to fall, there’s only one thing on everyone’s mind: pumpkin desserts. If you love the pumpkin season, and I love desserts, you are at the right place! Pumpkins are such a great baking ingredient to use, too, whether you love sweet or savory! Read on for my list of all the best desserts using pumpkins that you can make this fall!

Katalin’s key take on what to make with lots of pumpkin?

I love baking with pumpkin! Whether using store-bought or homemade pumpkin purée, it's a versatile ingredient that adds flavor, richness, and moisture to desserts and baked goods, while also providing natural sweetness. It has a naturally smooth texture, vibrant color, and pairs beautifully with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This makes it an ideal base for fall-inspired treats, such as pies, cupcakes, breads, or even cheesecake!

Pumpkin is high in water and fiber, which keeps the desserts moist for longer without relying heavily on added fats or oils. So try using it in cakes, muffins, and brownies, and you'll really notice a difference. It also provides a mild binding quality, similar to mashed banana, which can help reduce the need for eggs in some recipes. However, its water content can cause issues in certain desserts, e.g., cheesecakes, that need to set firm. You may need to cook it down or slightly reduce the amount of other liquid in your recipe to maintain the right texture.

When baking with pumpkin, it’s important to use 100% pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, which already contains sugar and spices. It is always better to add your own pumpkin pie spice to remain in control of the quantities and the amount of sugar! Now, time to try one of these amazing pumpkin desserts!

I share my best tips on how to use pumpkin in dessert recipes. Keep on reading.

Best Pumpkin Desserts

1. Pumpkin Custard Pie

Need a tasty and reliable recipe for making pumpkin pie from scratch? Look no further. A smooth and creamy pumpkin custard filling sits inside a crisp buttery pie crust, and I love adding some cute edible fall decorations on top, too.

This pie is one of those easy pumpkin baking recipes for Thanksgiving that you should try, and it is also very easy to make.

2. Baked Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts

Imagine warm and fluffy pumpkin donuts loaded with pumpkin spice and dusted in cinnamon sugar. It's simply insane! Serve fresh out of the oven with a hot cup of coffee, and it is one of the coziest baked pumpkin dessert recipes you can eat in cold fall or winter weather.

Baked doughnuts are also healthier than deep-fried and there's no need for hot oil, so it's a win on both of those counts, too!

3. No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

Need a pumpkin dessert but don't have oven space? Here's an easy pumpkin dessert recipe you can make that doesn't need an oven at all! A no-bake cheesecake is one of those desserts that is always handy to have up your sleeve. The graham cracker crust and rich, creamy filling work so well together, and the natural sweetness of the pumpkin shine through. I even have a version for Halloween by decorating the cheesecake with adorable meringue ghosts!

4. Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodle Cookies

I love a dessert mash-up. Can't decide if you want cookies or cheesecake? There's no need to choose now that you've found this recipe. Packed with your favorite fall flavors plus a generous helping of tangy cream cheese filling, you get the best of both worlds with every bite.

Turning cookies into cheesecake cookies is one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen, as proven by my raspberry cheesecake cookies recipe and strawberry cheesecake cookies!

5. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

There’s something so special about the contrasting textures of pie crust and smooth and creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling. It just works so well, and trust me, everyone will be hooked! It really is an extra special and super indulgent Fall or winter dessert.

In this easy recipe, I include all my top tips for the perfect pie, including which cream cheese I recommend using and how to make the best pie crust.

6. Pumpkin Blondies

Easy pumpkin blondies are super gooey and fudgy with chocolate chips, pumpkin pie spice, and hints of delicious caramel butterscotch undertones. Serve them up for dessert at home, or they are very easy to transport to Thanksgiving parties this season!

7. Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

Knock everyone's holiday socks off with a double-layer pie that packs a delicious surprise.  A homemade biscuit crumb crust is filled with light and airy cream cheese and a pumpkin pie filling, too, so you really do get a taste of heaven with every bite.

Also, did you know you can make your own pumpkin puree from scratch? If the stores run out of canned pumpkin puree, I've got you.

8. Pumpkin Banana Muffins

I just love baking pumpkin muffins! Crazy moist banana chocolate chip pumpkin muffins are filled with fragrant Fall spices and gooey chocolate, and they make the perfect fall dessert or a grab-and-go snack. You could even serve them for breakfast! What's more, they only use basic pantry ingredients that you probably already have.

9. Butterscotch Pumpkin Bundt Cake

How pretty is this pumpkin cake? Baking a bundt always makes me so happy. There's a super moist pumpkin spice cake smothered in a delicious butterscotch sauce that has this amazing buttery, brown sugar flavor profile. Finally, some candied pecans scattered on the top give the perfect amount of crunchiness.

And if, like most people, you sometimes struggle with releasing the sponge after baking, here are my handy tips on how to get the cake out of a bundt pan.

10. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

No oven? No worries. If you need to free up oven space whilst still making a tasty Thanksgiving pie, this is the pumpkin dessert for you. Unbelievably, you can have all the best bits of pie without having to turn the oven on.

It's also seriously pretty with a piped mascarpone frosting that is surprisingly a lot easier to make than you might think.

11. Pumpkin Bread With Cream Cheese Frosting

Love banana bread? Then this is definitely a pumpkin dessert for you. Pumpkin bread is just as moist, sweet, and delicious, and tastes insane with a cream cheese frosting slathered all over the top. It works just as well with an afternoon coffee at tea time as it does after dinner.

And if you try this recipe and get a craving for something similar, try my banana bread!

12. Pumpkin Hand Pies

Surely you don't want to share your dessert? Then make hand pies. Cute and delicious individual pumpkin desserts that look as good as they taste. And everyone gets their own! They are shaped like little pumpkins, so they look super cute for Halloween parties as well as holiday festivities.

But make sure you bake plenty of them, and they will definitely disappear fast.

13. Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes With Maple Glaze

Whilst we're on the theme of personal desserts, let's now talk about mini bundt cakes. These cute pumpkin desserts look great on a Thanksgiving dessert buffet table, or they can even be wrapped up as gifts. All the fall pumpkin spice flavors and sweet maple glaze, but you get to keep it all to yourself.

14. Puff Pastry Pumpkin Turnovers

Turnovers really are such delicious and versatile fall desserts. You can use a store-bought puff pastry to make things simple, try a rough puff, or even challenge yourself to a traditional puff pastry. Either way, you get to enjoy all the flaky, buttery goodness paired with a sweet pumpkin filling. In conclusion, bake some.

15. Pumpkin Pie With Sweetened Condensed Milk

This dessert might steal the show. Pumpkin pie with sweetened condensed milk has a super buttery and flaky crust and a creamy custard-like filling, and then it is topped off with beautiful mascarpone frosting. Using sweetened condensed milk for pie fillings creates the most amazing texture, almost like an absolutely divine crème brûlée. What's more, it is a lot easier to make than it looks.

16. Pumpkin Brownies

What could be better than a dense and fudgey chocolate brownie with a hidden pumpkin layer inside? You still have the iconic crackly top, but a hit of gooey pumpkin spice in every bite. This pumpkin dessert will be a hit on the Thanksgiving table!

17. Pumpkin Streusel Bread

If you love the crunch of a streusel topping, you're going to love this recipe. A moist and delicious pumpkin bread is topped with streusel and baked to perfection. I love this with coffee as a snack, or even for breakfast!

18. Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake Macarons

Cute and dainty macarons are always popular. These macaron cookie shells are flavored with pumpkin spice before being piped with a rich and tangy filling so that each bite has all the taste and texture of pumpkin cheesecake. But in a macaron! Surely it's not one to miss.

If you're nervous about making homemade macarons, I have an online macaron class you can take first.

19. Pumpkin Biscoff Tart

Now, surely a pumpkin and Biscoff dessert must be a match made in Heaven? The rich and deep flavors of Biscoff in the cookie crust mesh so well with the pumpkin filling. What's more, the fluted edges of this pretty tart make it look super fancy, so it will definitely be a hit on the dessert table.

20. Pumpkin Creme Brulee

This pumpkin creme brulee is an elegant Fall twist on the classic creme brulee. It’s an ultra-smooth, spiced custard that's topped with a glassy layer of caramelized sugar. Swap out your traditional pumpkin pie for this delicious pumpkin crème brûlée-- your friends and family will be obsessed.

21. Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Bundt Cake

How stunning is the cross-section of this fall swirl cake? I can't get over how pretty it is. You can roast your own pumpkin for this elegant pumpkin dessert or use canned pumpkin; either is fine. Just be sure to photograph it before eating, as you will definitely want to post it on Instagram!

22. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

Fall favorite pumpkin spice latte gets an edible upgrade with this tasty pumpkin cupcake recipe. You'll love the mix of pumpkin and espresso flavors in the moist sponge, and trust me when I say that the pumpkin buttercream frosting is to die for. This spiced pumpkin cupcake recipe is going to be a hit at your family's Thanksgiving this year!

23. Pumpkin Chai Ice Cream

If the fall weather is still a bit on the warm side, but you're craving those pumpkin flavors, this is the pumpkin dessert for you. Pumpkin ice cream flavored with chai spice is unique, delicious, and refreshing all in one. And what's more, it would also work really well on top of a piece of Thanksgiving pie!

24. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

I love cinnamon rolls. The soft and doughy texture and gooey sweet icing are just perfect together. And adding pumpkin to the dough? Surely that sounds even better. The gooey pumpkin spice cinnamon swirl is insanely tasty, and you can swap out the maple cinnamon cream cheese icing for other flavors if you fancy. Pull-apart cinnamon rolls are the perfect brunch dessert to serve this fall.

25. Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown butter pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are fast becoming one of my favorite pumpkin desserts. The added secret ingredient (espresso) really pulls out all the flavor, and they’re really a perfect fall pumpkin cookie. Slightly crisp on the edges but soft and gooey in the middle, with a sprinkling of sea salt on top. Simply put, delicious!

26. Pumpkin Spice Croissants

Need some easy pumpkin dessert ideas for a fall brunch party? Try these buttery croissants brushed with sweet honey syrup, filled with creamy pumpkin almond cream, and then topped with crunchy flaked almonds. Guests will love them, and you'll be lauded as the host with the most, but they are so much easier to make than you might think.

27. Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars

I love a pie bar recipe. And pumpkin pie bars spiked with sticky toffee? You won't be able to get over the warm and sweet gingersnap crust, and they taste simply insane when drizzled with caramel syrup. You could even double down and turn them into pumpkin pie bars with cream cheese frosting on the top!

28. Chocolate Pumpkin Pots de Creme

Serve these pumpkin chocolate pots as an elegant alternative to pumpkin pie, and watch the compliments roll in. The smooth texture is a cross between a mousse and a creamy pumpkin pie, and the mixture of chocolate and pumpkin is divine.

They are also perfectly scaled for a small gathering where an entire pie will leave you with too many leftovers to handle.

29. Caramelized Phyllo and Pumpkin Marshmallow Napoleons

Now here is a showstopper. Almost a deconstructed pumpkin pie, it has sweet pumpkin flavor and crispy and creamy texture, but it looks like something you'd be served in a fancy restaurant. The Napoleon is topped with caramelized spicy-salty walnuts, candied ginger, and some maple syrup just to elevate them even further.

And if you're in the mood for something similar, try my Mille Feuille.

30. Pumpkin Cream Puffs

Cream puffs are so versatile, and it's no wonder they taste so good stuffed full of pumpkin cream filling. Serve these cream puffs after Thanksgiving dinner as an elegant and tasty pumpkin dessert recipe, or they would even work as dessert canapes.

Did you know that eclairs are also made from choux pastry? You could even turn this recipe into pumpkin cream eclairs!

31. Chocolate Pumpkin Tart with Gingersnap Crust

That smooth dark chocolate ganache topping on this pumpkin chocolate tart looks seriously tempting. And knowing that it sits on top of a traditional spiced pumpkin filling inside a simple gingersnap cookie crust makes it sound even better! Certainly too good to resist.

32. Pumpkin Panna Cotta

Whilst you will need to be patient as this tasty panna cotta sets in the fridge, it is well worth it. Layers of vanilla panna cotta contrast beautifully with the pumpkin version, and it's a pretty no-bake alternative to a classic pumpkin pie when you want something easy that is no less decadent in taste and appearance.

33. Pumpkin Doughnut Bites with Dark Chocolate Drizzle

These easy doughnuts are made of the tastiest pumpkin batter, then deep-fried until golden before being smothered in sugar and drizzled with melted dark chocolate whilst they are still warm. I'm not sure there's anything better! In summary, you should make this pumpkin dessert.

34. Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles

Homemade truffles make great desserts or even gifts for family and friends if you package them in a pretty box or cellophane wrap. The filling is a mixture of cream cheese and pumpkin puree with sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and spices, and then they are dipped in melted white chocolate. Make these pumpkin truffles, and you'll surely be popular.

35. Mini Vegan Pumpkin Pies

If you have vegan guests for Thanksgiving, try making these mini pumpkin pies. They are made in a cupcake tin, which makes them super easy, and they are the perfect treat anyone can enjoy. With a dusting of cinnamon and cute edible leaf decoration, they surely look as good as they taste! And no one has to miss out on the Thanksgiving dessert classics.

36. Homemade Pumpkin Mousse

Easy, light, and fluffy homemade pumpkin mousse is a gorgeous treat to serve after a fall dinner or Thanksgiving feast. It's a classic mousse recipe enriched by egg yolks and then folded with whipped egg whites for a light and airy texture. Top with candied pecans and crumbled ginger cookies for the perfect garnish.

This is another handy recipe to use if you are making pumpkin desserts for just a few guests or just for you!

37. Chocolate Pumpkin Mousse Cake

Here's another showstopper of a mousse cake!  This is one of those decadent pumpkin dessert recipes you have to try. It is made of layers of chocolate cake, creamy pumpkin mousse, tangy cream cheese mousse, and then topped with a rich chocolate ganache.

You could serve it for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any special occasion this fall, and guests will certainly love you for it.

38. 15-Minute Creamy Stovetop Pumpkin Pudding

Make this creamy, silky, and cozy pumpkin pudding on the stovetop for a quick pumpkin dessert when the craving hits! It's laced with vanilla bean and warm Fall spices and ready in just 15 minutes on the stovetop. Serve with mascarpone and a few crumbled pecans for a seriously delicious dessert!

39. Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake

I always love making a traditional Basque cheesecake, which is a delicacy from the Basque region of Northern Spain. It's crustless and baked in a very hot oven to get delicious caramelization on the top and sides. Try this pumpkin version to put a Fall twist on a classic!

40. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

I love an easy sheet cake, especially one filled with creamy pumpkin spice and warm coffee flavor! The sweet, spiced, milky espresso pumpkin sponge is super moist and frosted with an incredible espresso cream cheese frosting. No one will be able to resist!

41. Pumpkin Chai Cake With Brown Butter Frosting

Here's a fun twist on classic pumpkin spice: try using chai spice. Between the two, many of the ingredients are the same; however, chai revs up the flavor a notch, mainly due to cardamom. Add a brown butter frosting, and you have a pumpkin dessert made in heaven!

42. Creamy Pumpkin Tiramisu

I am a huge fan of Tiramisu, and I make my classic tiramisu recipe all the time. But if you're looking for a Fall twist on this Italian favorite, look no further! I love the addition of pumpkin spice to the creamy layers of ladyfingers and pumpkin mascarpone cream. It will surely be a hit!

43. Pumpkin Ruffled Milk Pie

This unique twist on a traditional Greek dessert using Filo (Phyllo) pastry is a showstopper! Crispy, ruffled layers of phyllo dough are baked with a pumpkin spice-infused filling. It looks as good as it tastes, and everyone will be suitably impressed.

44. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Streusel Bread

Here's a super cozy pumpkin dessert. Pumpkin streusel bread is crazily moist and dense, studded with gooey chocolate chips and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel. Every bite has warm Fall flavors, sweet melted chocolate, and a bit of crunch. Simply put, it's perfection.

45. Pumpkin & Hazelnut Tart with Toasted Marshmallow

This recipe really is something special. A spiced pumpkin tart with a crunchy, nutty hazelnut crust sounds delicious enough! But then add a toasted marshmallow topping, and it elevates it even further. This is certainly one of the best pumpkin desserts around!

46. Brown Sugar Pumpkin Loaf

Sometimes it pays to keep things simple! A quick pumpkin loaf cake topped with a brown sugar icing is all you need to get that hit of Fall spices, and it comes together so easily, too. Brown sugar gives us that deep molasses flavor and caramel undertones; it's the dream dessert.