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Photo: Ryan Liebe
Toasty cinnamon, zesty clove, pungent allspice and more are packed into these fall desserts. These spices can also provide some anti-inflammatory and antioxidanthealth benefits. Their fragrance and flavor allow them to make some of the most delicious cakes, cookies and pastries, too. Recipes like our Fresh Apple Cake and Pumpkin Brownies will leave the kitchen smelling like an autumn delight.
01of 23This Fresh Apple Cake Is Perfect for Apple SeasonView RecipePhotographer: Stacy K. Allen; Prop stylist: Julia Bayless; Food stylist: Ana KelleySuper-juicy apples flavor this mildly spicy fresh apple cake that pairs beautifully with a warm cup of tea. The glaze offers a sweet finish. If you like a thicker glaze, use less buttermilk to thin it. Honeycrisp apples are sweet and slightly tart, but you can use any combination of apples you like, keeping in mind the tarter the apple, the less sweet the cake will be.
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This Fresh Apple Cake Is Perfect for Apple Season
View Recipe
Photographer: Stacy K. Allen; Prop stylist: Julia Bayless; Food stylist: Ana Kelley
Super-juicy apples flavor this mildly spicy fresh apple cake that pairs beautifully with a warm cup of tea. The glaze offers a sweet finish. If you like a thicker glaze, use less buttermilk to thin it. Honeycrisp apples are sweet and slightly tart, but you can use any combination of apples you like, keeping in mind the tarter the apple, the less sweet the cake will be.
02of 23Baked PeachesView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire SpollenThese baked peaches smell like fall in the summer! The cinnamon and sugar glaze gives a caramelized sweetness in every bite. If you want to take this subtly sweet dessert in a more savory direction, skip the ice cream topping and serve the peaches with a sprig of thyme instead, or sprinkle granola over the baked peaches for a texture similar to streusel.
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Baked Peaches
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
These baked peaches smell like fall in the summer! The cinnamon and sugar glaze gives a caramelized sweetness in every bite. If you want to take this subtly sweet dessert in a more savory direction, skip the ice cream topping and serve the peaches with a sprig of thyme instead, or sprinkle granola over the baked peaches for a texture similar to streusel.
03of 23Banana Nut BreadView RecipePhotographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ruth BlackburnWalnuts add crunch and tangy sharpness in this healthy banana nut bread recipe. Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots, or even black bananas, as they will provide more sweetness. The banana nut bread is tender, with a caramelized crust.
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Banana Nut Bread
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Walnuts add crunch and tangy sharpness in this healthy banana nut bread recipe. Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots, or even black bananas, as they will provide more sweetness. The banana nut bread is tender, with a caramelized crust.
04of 23Vegan Carrot CakeView RecipePhotographer: Stacy K. Allen. Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Christina BrockmanThis vegan carrot cake recipe with almond flour is packed with carrots, raisins and pecans, which add wonderful texture. Vegan butter and vegan cream cheese combine with rice flour to create a creamy, tangy frosting. Letting the frosting chill in the fridge is crucial so it thickens, giving it a more spreadable consistency.
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Vegan Carrot Cake
Photographer: Stacy K. Allen. Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This vegan carrot cake recipe with almond flour is packed with carrots, raisins and pecans, which add wonderful texture. Vegan butter and vegan cream cheese combine with rice flour to create a creamy, tangy frosting. Letting the frosting chill in the fridge is crucial so it thickens, giving it a more spreadable consistency.
05of 23Pumpkin BrowniesView RecipeSara HaasThese healthy pumpkin brownies are packed with mini chocolate chips. Warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves pair well with the chocolate for a seasonal twist on a classic dessert. The batter will be thick, so be sure to spread it an even layer for even baking.
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Pumpkin Brownies
Sara Haas
These healthy pumpkin brownies are packed with mini chocolate chips. Warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves pair well with the chocolate for a seasonal twist on a classic dessert. The batter will be thick, so be sure to spread it an even layer for even baking.
06of 23Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)View RecipeKarry HosfordThiscapirotada, or Mexican bread pudding, features layers of nuts, cheese, dried fruit and bread drizzled with cinnamon-infused sugar syrup.
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Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)
Karry Hosford
Thiscapirotada, or Mexican bread pudding, features layers of nuts, cheese, dried fruit and bread drizzled with cinnamon-infused sugar syrup.
07of 23Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese FrostingView RecipeSara HaasThis healthy pumpkin sheet cake is perfectly spiced from the pumpkin pie spice blend, a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. A tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting helps balance the flavors. This cake is perfect for any fall gathering.
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Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This healthy pumpkin sheet cake is perfectly spiced from the pumpkin pie spice blend, a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. A tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting helps balance the flavors. This cake is perfect for any fall gathering.
08of 23Flaky Apple Pie BarsView RecipeJacob FoxGrab your box of puff pastry for these easy and delicious apple pie bars.
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Flaky Apple Pie Bars
Jacob Fox
Grab your box of puff pastry for these easy and delicious apple pie bars.
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Maple-Cinnamon Sweet Potato Bread
This comforting sweet potato bread is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or served with a dollop of maple ice cream or sweetened whipped cream for a light dessert. Be sure not to overcook the sweet potato in the microwave—a dry sweet potato will make the bread less moist.
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This Sweet Potato Dump Cake Has a Crunchy Streusel Topping
This lightly sweetened sweet potato dump cake with a crumble topping is similar to a sweet potato casserole but with a firm, cake-like texture. If you can’t find a spice cake mix, you can use a vanilla cake mix and add cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.
11of 23Pecan Pie Dip with Crunchy Pie-Crust DippersView RecipeThis creamy and subtly sweet dessert is perfect for pecan pie lovers who don’t want to go through the hassle of making an actual pie. Serve it with sliced apples and pears to complement the pie-dough dippers.
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Pecan Pie Dip with Crunchy Pie-Crust Dippers
This creamy and subtly sweet dessert is perfect for pecan pie lovers who don’t want to go through the hassle of making an actual pie. Serve it with sliced apples and pears to complement the pie-dough dippers.
12of 23Honey CakeView RecipePhotographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Holly RaibikisHoney cake is a traditional dessert for the Jewish New Year, but it’s also a great loaf to make all year round. Subtly flavored with cinnamon and ginger, it gets its rich color from the addition of coffee in the batter. You can substitute brewed black tea or decaffeinated coffee, if you’d like. Serve with a hot cup of coffee or tea and enjoy!
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Honey Cake
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Holly Raibikis
Honey cake is a traditional dessert for the Jewish New Year, but it’s also a great loaf to make all year round. Subtly flavored with cinnamon and ginger, it gets its rich color from the addition of coffee in the batter. You can substitute brewed black tea or decaffeinated coffee, if you’d like. Serve with a hot cup of coffee or tea and enjoy!
13of 23Mini Cranberry-Orange Shortcakes with Cranberry Compote & Brown Sugar Crème FraîcheView RecipeAli RedmondThese cranberry-orange shortcakes are essentially a cross between a biscuit and a scone. They make a light base for a rich cranberry compote and a brown-sugar-laced crème fraîche topping. These are designed to be on the small side, since there are usually many desserts on offer on Thanksgiving, but you can make them any size you like, just adjust the baking time accordingly.
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Mini Cranberry-Orange Shortcakes with Cranberry Compote & Brown Sugar Crème Fraîche
Ali Redmond
These cranberry-orange shortcakes are essentially a cross between a biscuit and a scone. They make a light base for a rich cranberry compote and a brown-sugar-laced crème fraîche topping. These are designed to be on the small side, since there are usually many desserts on offer on Thanksgiving, but you can make them any size you like, just adjust the baking time accordingly.
14of 23Pumpkin SnickerdoodlesView RecipeSara HaasCanned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice are delicious seasonal additions to a classic snickerdoodle. The spice blend adds warming notes thanks to the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. These healthy pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies are light and moist, making them the perfect sweet treat.
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Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice are delicious seasonal additions to a classic snickerdoodle. The spice blend adds warming notes thanks to the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. These healthy pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies are light and moist, making them the perfect sweet treat.
15of 23Melting ApplesView RecipeJacob FoxSweet Honeycrisp apples are cored, drizzled with maple syrup, butter and a hint of cinnamon and baked until tender. Serve with crunchy granola and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Melting Apples
Sweet Honeycrisp apples are cored, drizzled with maple syrup, butter and a hint of cinnamon and baked until tender. Serve with crunchy granola and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
16of 23Apple HamantaschenView RecipeBrittany ConerlyHamantaschen are filled triangular cookies eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Traditional versions are made with a poppy seed or prune filling, but recipe developer Breana Killeen, who lives in Vermont, thought it would be a delicious way to use the apple butter her mother canned one fall.
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Apple Hamantaschen
Brittany Conerly
Hamantaschen are filled triangular cookies eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Traditional versions are made with a poppy seed or prune filling, but recipe developer Breana Killeen, who lives in Vermont, thought it would be a delicious way to use the apple butter her mother canned one fall.
17of 23Apple CrispView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer WendorfKeeping the peel on the apple gives a bit of texture and color to this apple crisp recipe. A topping made from oats and pecans adds nuttiness. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
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Apple Crisp
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
Keeping the peel on the apple gives a bit of texture and color to this apple crisp recipe. A topping made from oats and pecans adds nuttiness. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
18of 23Marble Spice Bundt CakeView RecipeRyan LiebeUnleash your artsy side when marbling the light and dark batters together. The latter is fragrant with loads of cinnamon, allspice, cloves and nutmeg and gets its color from molasses and espresso powder.
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Marble Spice Bundt Cake
Ryan Liebe
Unleash your artsy side when marbling the light and dark batters together. The latter is fragrant with loads of cinnamon, allspice, cloves and nutmeg and gets its color from molasses and espresso powder.
19of 23Air-Fryer Pear GalettesView RecipePhotographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Greg LunaHoneyed pears shine in this healthy dessert that comes together in a snap thanks to a store-bought crust. Take these galettes over the top with a spiced whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Air-Fryer Pear Galettes
Photographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Greg Luna
Honeyed pears shine in this healthy dessert that comes together in a snap thanks to a store-bought crust. Take these galettes over the top with a spiced whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
20of 23Carrot Cake Sandwich CookiesView RecipeWill DickeyThese chewy and moist carrot cake sandwich cookies are packed with carrots, crunchy pecan pieces and chewy raisins and filled with an orange-scented cream cheese frosting. They are rich and satisfying and would pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.
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Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies
Will Dickey
These chewy and moist carrot cake sandwich cookies are packed with carrots, crunchy pecan pieces and chewy raisins and filled with an orange-scented cream cheese frosting. They are rich and satisfying and would pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.
21of 23Air-Fryer Whole-Wheat Cinnamon RollsView RecipeJason DonnellyDon’t skip the rise time before air-frying these cinnamon rolls. It helps make them pillowy instead of dense. Raisins and walnuts are packed into each bite of these sweet rolls.
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Air-Fryer Whole-Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
Jason Donnelly
Don’t skip the rise time before air-frying these cinnamon rolls. It helps make them pillowy instead of dense. Raisins and walnuts are packed into each bite of these sweet rolls.
22of 23Baked PearsView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Kady WohlfarthThese easy baked pears are soft with just a little bite and are perfect with the delicious buttery spiced syrup spooned over the top.
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Baked Pears
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Kady Wohlfarth
These easy baked pears are soft with just a little bite and are perfect with the delicious buttery spiced syrup spooned over the top.
23of 23Sweet Potato Bundt Cake with Maple GlazeView RecipeAli RedmondThis sweet potato pound cake started out as a way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner, but quickly became its own reason to make sweet potatoes. The cake gets better as it sits, so it’s a great make-ahead candidate for any occasion.
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Sweet Potato Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze
This sweet potato pound cake started out as a way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner, but quickly became its own reason to make sweet potatoes. The cake gets better as it sits, so it’s a great make-ahead candidate for any occasion.
Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, September 2023
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