As fall starts to grace us with its presence, quick desserts are one of the easiest ways to bring a little seasonal sweetness to the table without committing to a full afternoon of baking. These 30-minute treats lean into fall flavors like apple, pumpkin, caramel, cinnamon, and pears, but they’re simple enough for weeknights or when you just want the kitchen to smell a little cozier. From Cheater Apple Pie to Pumpkin Quickies, these easy desserts deliver just the right amount of comforting fall flavor.
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Credit: Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss
Get Recipe: Apple Pie Cookies
“I love these warm, buttery cookies just as they are, but an optional cinnamon glaze really takes them to the next level. They’re best served warm, with their crispy edges and gooey apple topping reminiscent of a freshly baked apple pie.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
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Credit: Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
Get Recipe: Butterscotch Squares
“In essence, these squares are blondies by another name. They’re a simple combination of melted butter, brown sugar, and egg, with flour and baking powder to provide structure. I love to make them in one large bowl, mixing with a wooden spoon—no mixer required!” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer
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Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Get Recipe: Pumpkin Quickies
“The 1960s recipe calls for just two ingredients: spice cake mix and a whole can of pumpkin purée. You stir them together, dole them out with a cookie scoop, and bake them. That’s it. That’s the recipe. Since it doesn’t get much easier than that, I was in.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor
04 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Sara Haas
Get Recipe: Cheater Apple Pie
“Even though my mom didn’t bake per se, she did have a knack for getting creative. This shortcut apple pie is a great example. It’s a ‘deconstructed’ pie that’s easy to make and comes together with a few simple ingredients.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
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Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: Apple Cheddar Oat Cookies
“The tastes and textures in these dense cookies are so satisfying, as the sweet apples and tangy cheddar rub elbows with oats and raisins. I love that they keep well in the fridge, and I’ve doubled and tripled the batch to serve to groups at parties, camp-outs, and to simply have on reserve when things get busy.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer
06 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: Cheater Churros
“Here in reality, I make Cheater Churros: the same cozy, crispy-outside, soft-inside magic with just four ingredients. Store-bought puff pastry is cut into strips, baked, dunked in warm butter, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. No frying, no crying—just indulgence in 20 minutes flat.” —Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer
07 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
Get Recipe: Caramel Apple Nachos
“Caramel apple nachos are the most laid-back way to make and enjoy caramel apples. Instead of coating whole apples with caramel, the apples are sliced, laid on a plate, drizzled with caramel, and topped with anything your heart desires, like peanuts, chocolate chips, or your favorite candy. Calling this sweet snack that you eat with your hands ‘nachos’ is plain old fun.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor
08 of 12
Credit: Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
Get Recipe: Bananas Foster
“Bananas foster may look intimidating, but it’s SO simple! First, make the sauce by caramelizing butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Then, coat freshly sliced bananas in the sauce. Add dark rum and carefully ignite it to burn off the alcohol, leaving behind a noticeable rum flavor. The bananas and sauce are then served with vanilla ice cream for the best contrast of hot and cold. It’s magic!” —Cambrea Gordon, Recipe Developer
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Get Recipe: Pumpkin Cookies
“The use of cardamom, currants, and pumpkin seeds also gives these cookies a curiously different and delightful taste from other pumpkin cookies. This combination is a great way to use up any pureed squash and turn out a treat that everyone will love.” —Garrett McCord, Recipe Developer
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Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: Melting Apples
“Feel free to go crazy when apple picking and experiment with different varieties here. I recommend using firm, crisp apples, such as Jonagold, Fuji, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or Granny Smith, in this recipe. They hold their shape once braised instead of falling apart.” —Amanda Luchtel, Recipe Developer
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Get Recipe: Brown Sugar Snickerdoodles
“Tender and crisp, plain and aromatic, sweet with a dash of salt, the Snickerdoodle has made quite a place for itself in the canon of cookies. But as loyal as its fans are, it’s not the easiest cookie to find on bakery shelves.” —Shuna Lydon, Recipe Developer
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Credit: Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
Get Recipe: Sticky Pears
“With just four ingredients, you can make these tender sticky pears with notes of caramel and just a touch of cinnamon. They’re delicious on their own, or dress them up further with a scoop of ice cream and a sprinkle of pecans or walnuts on top. ” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer
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