1/25
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
From the Recipe Creator:
These three-layered brownies are simply irresistible and my family's absolute favorite. —Ella Agans, Birch Tree, Missouri
18/25
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
