12 Simple Fall Desserts with 5 Ingredients or Less

Hey there, fellow dessert lover! Picture this: leaves crunching underfoot, a chill in the air, and you craving something sweet that screams autumn without chaining you to the kitchen for hours. Who wouldn’t want easy fall desserts that pack all the cozy vibes—think pumpkin, apples, and cinnamon—using just a handful of ingredients? I got you covered with these 12 gems, each with 5 ingredients or less, because life’s too short for complicated baking marathons.

I’ve tested these in my own kitchen (and maybe burned a few along the way—oops), so trust me when I say they’re foolproof. Grab your apron (or don’t, these are that chill), and let’s turn those fall cravings into reality. Ready to make your house smell like a pumpkin patch exploded? 😉

1. Cinnamon Baked Apples

Craving that apple pie flavor without rolling dough? These baked apples deliver warm, gooey goodness in half the time—perfect for lazy fall evenings.

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Core the apples but leave the bottoms intact.
3. Mix cinnamon and brown sugar in a bowl.
4. Stuff the mixture into each apple core.
5. Top each with a pat of butter.
6. Place apples in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until tender.

Why You’ll Love It

These taste like hugging fall in dessert form—sweet, spicy, and oh-so-comforting. I once skipped the butter and regretted it instantly; it adds that rich melt you can’t fake. Pair them with ice cream for extra indulgence, and watch your family fight over seconds.

2. No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Balls

Need a grab-and-go treat that feels festive? Roll up these pumpkin balls for a bite-sized hit of autumn spice—no oven required.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Soften the cream cheese at room temperature.
2. Mix pumpkin puree, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and spice until smooth.
3. Stir in graham cracker crumbs to form a dough.
4. Roll into 1-inch balls.
5. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

Why You’ll Love It

They burst with creamy pumpkin flavor that screams sweater weather. IMO, dipping them in melted chocolate elevates them to party status—tried it once and couldn’t stop popping them. Super portable for fall picnics or midnight snacks.

3. Maple Pecan Clusters

Want crunchy, caramel-like bites without the fuss? These clusters fuse maple’s sweetness with pecans’ nutty crunch for instant fall magic.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecans
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt butter and maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in pecans until coated.
3. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Let cool for 20 minutes until hardened.

Why You’ll Love It

The maple caramelizes just right, making each cluster addictive. I swapped walnuts once—big mistake, they lack that buttery depth pecans bring. Stash them in jars for gifting; your friends will beg for the recipe.

4. Cranberry Orange Compote

Tired of boring sauces? Simmer this tangy compote for a zesty fall topper that jazzes up yogurt or toast in minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine cranberries, orange juice, and sugar in a pot.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
4. Cool before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

It balances tart cranberries with sunny orange for a refreshing twist on fall sweets. Add a cinnamon stick if you dare, but keep it simple—overcomplicating hides the bright flavors. I slather it on pancakes and feel like a brunch boss every time.

5. Sweet Potato Marshmallow Bites

Craving casserole vibes in snack form? Bake these bites for gooey, sweet satisfaction that captures fall’s comfort food essence.

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 tablespoons butter

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

PIN IT

1. Boil sweet potatoes until soft, then mash them.
2. Mix in melted butter.
3. Spoon into muffin tins.
4. Top with marshmallows.
5. Broil for 2-3 minutes until golden.

Why You’ll Love It

The marshmallows toast up bubbly and caramelized against the earthy sweet potato. FYI, I tried big marshmallows once—too messy; minis melt perfectly. These disappear fast at gatherings, proving simple wins every time.

6. Pear Ginger Crisp

Who says crisps need endless prep? Toss together this pear version for warm, spicy comfort with a ginger kick.

Ingredients

• 4 pears, sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Layer pear slices in a baking dish.
3. Mix oats, ginger, brown sugar, and melted butter.
4. Sprinkle over pears.
5. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly.

Why You’ll Love It

Ginger adds a subtle heat that pairs beautifully with juicy pears. I prefer ripe pears for natural sweetness—unripe ones turn out too firm. :/ Scoop it warm with whipped cream, and you’ll forget all about apple alternatives.

7. Apple Cider Ice Cream Floats

Thirsty for a dessert drink? Pour up these floats for a fizzy, creamy take on fall’s favorite beverage.

Ingredients

• 2 cups apple cider
• 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Chill apple cider in the fridge.
2. Scoop ice cream into glasses.
3. Pour cider over the top.
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
5. Stir gently and serve.

Why You’ll Love It

The cider’s tartness cuts through the ice cream’s richness for a refreshing sip. Spike it with bourbon for adults—tried it, and wow, instant cozy cocktail. Kids love the bubbles, making it a family hit.

8. Pecan Pie Fudge

Dreaming of pie without baking? Melt this fudge for all the nutty, sweet pecan pie taste in easy squares.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt chocolate chips and condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds.
2. Mix in vanilla and pecans.
3. Pour into a lined 8×8 pan.
4. Chill for 2 hours until set.
5. Cut into squares.

Why You’ll Love It

It nails that buttery pecan pie flavor without the crust hassle. Toasted pecans amp up the crunch—don’t skip that step, or it falls flat. Share at potlucks; people always ask if it’s homemade magic.

9. Butternut Squash Pudding

Need a creamy dessert without dairy overload? Blend this pudding for smooth, spiced squash goodness that’s surprisingly light.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked butternut squash
• 1 cup milk (almond works too)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Puree squash in a blender until smooth.
2. Add milk, sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Blend until creamy.
4. Chill for 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The squash brings natural creaminess with a hint of nuttiness. I subbed nutmeg for cinnamon once—too overpowering; stick to basics. Top with whipped cream for decadence, and it feels like fall in a bowl.

10. Cinnamon Roll Popcorn

Popcorn upgrade, anyone? Toss this with cinnamon for a crunchy, sweet snack that channels fresh-baked rolls.

Ingredients

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large bowl.
2. Mix sugar and cinnamon.
3. Drizzle butter over popcorn.
4. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar and toss to coat.

Why You’ll Love It

It transforms plain popcorn into a cinnamon-scented delight. Use fresh popcorn—stale stuff ruins the crunch. Movie night essential; my friends devour it faster than I can make it.

11. Harvest Pumpkin Dump Cake

Lazy baker’s dream? Dump and bake this cake for moist, spiced pumpkin layers that taste like effort but require none.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, and spice in a baking dish.
3. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top.
4. Drizzle with melted butter.
5. Bake for 45 minutes until golden.

Why You’ll Love It

The cake mix crisps up while soaking in pumpkin goodness. Add nuts if you want crunch, but plain keeps it pure. I burned the edges my first try—watch that oven! Perfect for crowds.

12. Cranberry Pear Salad Parfait

Want a lighter dessert? Layer this fruity parfait for tart-sweet bites that feel healthy yet indulgent.

Ingredients

• 2 pears, diced
• 1 cup cranberries
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup yogurt (Greek for thickness)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix pears, cranberries, honey, and cinnamon.
2. Layer yogurt and fruit mixture in glasses.
3. Repeat layers.
4. Chill for 10 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

Cranberries pop with tang against sweet pears and creamy yogurt. Frozen cranberries work in a pinch, but fresh add better burst. Breakfast or dessert? You decide—versatile and guilt-free.

There you have it—12 simple fall desserts that prove you don’t need a pantry full of stuff to nail autumn flavors. These recipes save time, spark joy, and let you savor the season without stress. Which one will you try first? Grab those ingredients and get baking; your taste buds will thank you. 🙂