30 Non-Pumpkin Fall Treats
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 
I'll just go ahead and say it. What's the big deal with pumpkin?
Don't get me wrong. I like pumpkin. When done right, I can even love pumpkin. But when fall rolls around, you'd think there's no other flavor, such is the proliferation of the gourd-geous stuff.
To inspire fall baking that accommodates the other seasonal produce and flavors, from apples and beyond, I've come up with this list of 30 awesome non-pumpkin fall treats for you to bake and enjoy. No particular order to these; just thirty I think are fab.
1. Apple pie bars.
Including oats and apples, they might seem somewhat healthy, but trust you me, it's an illusion. These bars are all about the tasty brown sugary topping and caramelly innards, and cakey but firm base. (CakeSpy)
2. Applescotch cookies.
Made using a cake mix, these apple cookies taste toasty in the fall, and come together in minutes. (CakeSpy)
3. Quince custard cake.
I'm intrigued by this mix of a lesser-known fruit and creamy custard. (Apt. 2B Baking)
4. Fig "Brownies.
Actual health food! But still tasty. These brownies employ figs for their tasty moisture. (Sarah Jio)
5. Honeycrisp apple bread.
More seasonal than banana bread, more delicious than sandwich bread. A perfect way to secretly eat cake and call it breakfast. (Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)
6. Caramel Apple Magic Bars.
Look at that oozy caramelly top. Don't you want to swim in it? Or at the very least eat a stack of these? (The Domestic Rebel)
7. Homemade Mellowcreme pumpkins.
Why buy when you can make your own, which taste even better, and come together pretty quickly? (CakeSpy for Craftsy)
8. Sweet potato biscuits.
Sweet. Moist. Carbohydratey. Need I say more? (Taste of Southern)
9. Apple pie bread pudding.
This bread pudding has all of the flavors of your favorite (non-pumpkin) fall pie. (Flavor Mosaic)
10. S'mores martinis.
Make s'mores and drink them too with these adult-friendly sweet martinis. (Excerpted on CakeSpy)
11. Maple apple pie with walnut topping.
Maple isn't necessary a fall flavor, since it's harvested in the spring, but it works so well with apple and nut that it's joyfully allowed on this roundup. (The Spiffy Cookie)
12. Apple Cider Doughnuts.
Growing up, these were one of our quintessential fall treats on the Jersey Shore. I think you'll love them, too. (CakeSpy for Craftsy)
13. Apple cinnamon chip blondies.
It's pretty well publicized that I prefer blondies to brownies. These ones look autumn-fantastic. (Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)
14. Sage Shortbread cookies.
These shortbread cookies are SAVORY! I know that sounds nutty, but try them with soup. (The Green Chalkboard)
15. Figgy pudding
Bring us some, right now! Figs are in season, so stock up and make this dessert from now til the official eve of figgy pudding-dom (you know, Christmas). (CakeSpy for Serious Eats)
16. Butternut squash cake.
It's not pumpkin, but it still has that lovely, earthy aroma and flavor. (Betty Crocker)
17.Quince jam thumbprint cookies.
Quince, once again! This time, in jam form, in tasty little thumbrpint cookies. (In Erika's Kitchen)
18. Apple pie breakfast bake.
A Bake-Off finalist from the past, this recipe is a winner on every morning it graces your table! (As seen on CakeSpy)
19. Brown sugar buttercream.
It may or may not contain crack. Not technically fall-flavored, but it goes with everything toasty and comforting, so it's on the list. (CakeSpy for Craftsy)
20. "Carnival" caramel apples.
Can't you just taste the outdoor fun? Extra points if you make them with apples you picked. ( Taste of Home)
21. Caramel Apple Nachos.
These are pretty cute, and they even look healthy, even though that is not my primary concern.(Consumer Queen)
22. Brussels Sprouts Cupcakes.
Believe it, my friends. Whether you want to or not. (CakeSpy)
23. Pear and custard tart.
Pears are in season. Custard is always a welcome accompaniment! (As seen on CakeSpy)
24. Chocolate Cauliflower cake.
Seriously. It exists and is apparently very good. (Chocolate Covered Katie)
25. Brown sugar ginger cream cake.
Pears! Cake! And plenty of rich brown sugar pecan butter topping. YUM! (CakeSpy for Garlic My Soul)
26. Triple-dipped apple s'mores.
Take your favorite outdoor treat and add apples that you just picked, because of course you're all fall-like and outside picking apples. Right? (Country Living)
27. Cinnamon roll pear bread pudding.
This Pillsbury Bake-Off finalist recipe is perfect for cool fall mornings: indulgent with a touch of health. It will keep you going! (As seen on CakeSpy)
28. Macaron mushrooms.
Well, OK, they're actually sweet. But mushrooms are in season, so consider them an homage! Via Bubble and Sweet.
29. Apple pie.
Plain and simple is best sometimes. (Craftsy)
Note: also check out the history of apple pie, here!
30. Cheesy sausage bread.
I know it's not sweet but wow, totally sweet! Have it for "dessert" after all these treats. (BHG)
Reader Comments (3)
I love a real apple pie. I just found a semi-local (OK, it's a 30 minute drive) baker who bakes mind-blowing old school pies, so I'm constantly looking for excuses to drive out there so I'll just happen to be in the neighborhood...
Also, there's this Breton apple cake from Bon Appetit that's a huge amount of work, and I make it that much harder by making toffee sauce and whipped cream to go on top too, but dear Lord in heaven- it is unbelievable.
And I'll fess up to my one pumpkin indulgence. It's store bought, but I have to admit it. It's Publix grocery store's pumpkin pie. I've eaten some every year of my life, I think, and there's just something about going out to the fridge late at night and pulling a cold leftover slice out of the tin pan. It just epitomizes the fall/winter holiday season for me.
Thank you for the roundup. It's great to see a bunch of non-pumpkin desserts all in one spot; makes it easy to find new things to try. :)
Katie: LOL! I actually don't have a problem with pumpkin, myself - but as one reader put it, I have a problem with foods that just use pumpkin pie spice and get on the fall trend train.
That Breton cake sounds amazing - those Frenchies just seem to smoke us in every department food-wise!!
The confession about the publix pie made me love you best of all, though. :-)