These fall dessert bars combine seasonal flavors like pumpkin, maple and apple, with chewy, crunchy and fudgy textures for a taste of autumn in every bite.
Autumn is the bridge between the warm days of summer and the busy, chilly holidays, and these fall dessert bars welcome and celebrate the flavors of the changing seasons. Filled with pumpkin, maple, apple and cranberry, these comforting treats are easy to slice, simple to serve and fit for both weeknight cravings and festive gatherings.
As expected, pumpkin dessert recipes are prevalent throughout the collection, whether paired with chocolate, cream cheese or warm fall spices. But these easy fall dessert bar recipes also offer many other flavor options. Try buttery squares of apple-filled bars reminiscent of a classic apple pie, or easy treats full of crunchy nuts complemented by caramel, white chocolate or cinnamon.
Most recipes are made from scratch, perfect for a cozy afternoon baking project. If you are short on time, try a no-bake cereal treat bar or one that uses cake mix, so it takes minutes to assemble and get into the oven. Many of these recipes freeze well, so you can bake once and enjoy for months whenever you need something sweet.
1/25
Pumpkin Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall treat. But my family likes them so much, they ask me to make them all year long! —Brenda Keller, Andalusia, Alabama
2/25
Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew Rice Krispies Treats
From the Recipe Creator:
We capture the flavor of one of Starbucks' sweetest coffee drinks in a marshmallowy dessert bar! Salted caramel cream cold brew Rice Krispies treats have a gooey filling of coffee cream, caramel sauce and crushed cookies. —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts
3/25
Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this by taking my favorite cheesecake brownie recipe, which is about 40 years old, and kicking it up with pumpkin and spices. These will disappear fast, so consider doubling the recipe. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
4/25
Apple Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is about family, comfort and simplicity. My mom made this delicious sweet treat many a winter night and served it warm with some of her famous homemade ice cream. I like to make a double batch and pass on the love! —Elizabeth Monfort, Celina, Ohio
5/25
Sweet Potato Cheesecake Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for something other than pumpkin, these sweet potato bars are a yummy alternative. Make them ahead—they're even better refrigerated overnight. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
6/25
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert is super easy to pull together, and the flavorful results will win you nothing but rave reviews. —Aimee Ransom, Hoschton, Georgia
7/25
Caramel-Pecan Cookie Butter Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I love cookie butter and often spread it on toast, vanilla wafers or graham crackers. One day I was thinking about another way to use it, and I came up with these bars. They were an instant hit in my house. The bars freeze well—they are so tempting to remove from the freezer one by one until there are no more left. —Sherry Little, Cabot, Arkansas
8/25
Maple-Bacon Rice Krispies Treats
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet with a touch of smoky flavor, these maple-bacon Rice Krispies Treats will make you fall in love with this classic flavor combo even more. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
9/25
Pecan Pumpkin Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
I always make this treat for Thanksgiving. A friend gave me the recipe, and I've since shared it with many others. —Sue Williams, Mount Holly, North Carolina
10/25
Cranberry Bog Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Sweet and chewy, these fun bars combine the flavors of oats, cranberries, brown sugar and pecans. I like to sprinkle the squares with confectioners’ sugar before serving. —Sally Wakefield, Gans, Pennsylvania
11/25
Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
What did I do when I couldn’t decide between two of my favorite desserts? I combined them! This snickerdoodle-blondie hybrid proved even better with caramel, always a favorite ingredient. —Niki Plourde, Gardner, Massachusetts
12/25
Ginger-Cream Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I rediscovered this old-time recipe recently and found it's everyone's favorite. Even 4-year-olds have asked for these frosted bars as nursery treats. —Carol Nagelkirk, Holland, Michigan
13/25
Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
With tangy dried cranberries tucked inside and a creamy brown butter frosting, these mildly spiced pumpkin bars are doubly delightful. It's a good thing the recipe makes lots, because once you taste one, you won't be able to resist going back for more! —Barbara Nowakowski, Mesa, Arizona
14/25
Pecan Pie Bars with Cake Mix
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm always searching for fast and easy recipes to take to the teachers lounge. The staff goes nuts for these shortcut pecan pie bars. —Kathro Yoder, Defiance, Ohio
15/25
Cardamom Cheesecake Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Fans of cheesecake will love these bite-sized desserts. Crunchy and smooth, they're perfect for the holidays—or any other time. —Judi Oudekerk, Buffalo, Minnesota
16/25
Pomegranate Magic Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Pomegranates make desserts festive and bright with a burst of juicy sweetness. These pomegranate bars are no exception. —Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
17/25
Peanut Caramel Brownie Bites
From the Recipe Creator:
These three-layered brownies are simply irresistible and my family's absolute favorite. —Ella Agans, Birch Tree, Missouri
18/25
Rustic Nut Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends love crunching into the crust—so much like shortbread—and the wildly nutty topping of these chewy, gooey bars. —Barbara Driscoll, West Allis, Wisconsin
19/25
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe caught my eye and was extremely popular at the annual Christmas party sponsored by our Extension Homemakers. It's a great dessert for fall. —Agnes Jasa, Malabar, Florida
20/25
Caramel Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
After over 20 years of making this shortbread, I’ve finally found the perfect pairing—salted caramel and dark chocolate. So I layered them with my favorite shortbread crust. —Lisa Glenn, Sarasota, Florida
21/25
Cinnamon Nut Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Classic bar meets good-for-you ingredients in this updated recipe. If you have the patience, after the bars are cool, store them in a tin for a day to allow the flavors to meld...I think they taste even better the next day. —Heidi Lindsey, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
22/25
Pumpkin Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate and pumpkin pair up to make a family-favorite fall dessert. These pumpkin brownies are fantastic for parties and picnics. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
23/25
Cranberry Date Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Rich and fruity, these bars let you enjoy cranberries year-round. I've made batches for all kinds of church and social events. —Bonnie Nieter, Warsaw, Indiana
24/25
Pumpkin Campfire Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
My rich bars are studded with the all-American peanut. I like to think famed peanut farmer Jimmy Carter would approve. —Ann Marie Heinz, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
25/25
Cinnamon-Cranberry Oat Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a swim coach for kids, and I started making these bars for them as a snack. I wanted something that was easy to eat but would also give them energy. The kids loved them from the very first time I brought them. Now I bring them to every team event. —Sarah Riviere, Prescott, Arizona
Fall Dessert Bars FAQ
What are some quick fall dessert bar ideas?
Some of the quickest fall dessert bars require minimal prep and little to no bake time, such as stovetop cereal treats or bars that start with shortcut ingredients, like cake mix. Adding maple extract, cinnamon, dried fruit or chopped nuts boosts the autumnal flavor of the desserts.
Can I make fall dessert bars ahead of time?
Fall dessert bars are excellent make-ahead treats that stay fresh for weeks or months if stored properly. Transfer cooled bars to airtight food storage containers, adding a piece of parchment between layers of sticky or delicate bars. Most bars can be stored at room temperature for two to three weeks. Dairy-based bars, like cheesecake, should be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
What are some gluten-free or vegan options for fall dessert bars?
The best gluten-free or vegan options for fall dessert bars use pumpkin or applesauce instead of eggs, oil instead of butter and oats or a gluten-free flour mix instead of flour, like these gluten-free pumpkin bars. You can also adapt most recipes with vegan butter, dairy-free cream cheese or egg substitutes for baking, such as chia or flaxseed. Look for gluten-free cake mixes to use and check each product’s label, as some can also be vegan.
