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Home » Picnic Desserts

Seasonal Fall Desserts for a Picnic

Published: Sep 5, 2020 · Modified: Sep 7, 2024 by Kate O'Malley · This post may contain affiliate links. See end of article for more information · Leave a Comment


The beauty of a fall picnic is that the cooler weather allows us little indulgences, and a little picnic dessert, no matter how small, is a wonderful indulgence. These fall desserts and sweet treats are a nod to the season and easy to whip up.

A collage of four dessert images: caramel pecan tartlets, chocolate brownies, mini bundt cakes topped with frosting, and orange loaf cake slices.

More Fall Picnic Ideas:

  • Seasonal Fall Salads
  • Fall-Inspired Sandwich Ideas
  • Fall Finger Food and Appetizers
  • Halloween Picnic Food Ideas
  • Soup Ideas for Picnics

Best Fall Dessert Ideas

It can be as simple as a Pumpkin Muffin, a dainty Carrot Cupcake washed down with a hot cup of tea, or a unique brownie recipe to finish that nice bottle of red.

These fall picnic desserts are just that—a simple yet sweet celebration of the season’s produce. Think apples, pumpkins, and pecans—little indulgences to finish the day on a sweet note.

Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
With cozy spices, silky pumpkin, and a luscious cream cheese glaze, these Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins capture the essence of fall. Their generous size is also a satisfying bonus as the weather turns chilly.
Get the Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
Pumpkin muffins on an orange plate with cinnamon sticks.
Gingerbread Cake with Orange Glaze and Candied Walnuts
This easy Gingerbread Cake perfectly blends cozy spices and sweet flavors. Topped with a zesty orange glaze and candied walnuts, it adds a crunchy twist to a seasonal favorite.
Get the Gingerbread Cake Recipe
Slices of gingerbread cake with orange frosting and candied walnuts on a cutting board.
Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cake
This easy Pumpkin-Spiced Coffee Cake combines the cozy warmth of fall spices with a spectacular meringue that's light as air—a delicious twist on pumpkin spice for your fall picnic desserts.
Get the Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe
A slice of pumpkin spice coffee cake topped with golden-brown meringue on a plate, with the remaining pie in the background.
Pear and Frangipane Tart
In a nod to the fruits of the season, this delectable pear frangipane tart makes a delightful fall dessert. Frangipane (almond cream) is layered with slices of fresh pears in a sweet shortcrust pastry. This is a very simple dish, but it makes such a sweet impression.
Get the Pear Tart Recipe
Photo credit: vintagekitchennotes.com
Close-up of a rectangular pear tart, dusted with powdered sugar, featuring thin slices of baked apple on a flaky pastry base, placed on a white surface.
Dark Chocolate Sweet Potato Fudge
A rich and decadent Dark Chocolate Sweet Potato Fudge – Yep! Sweet potato is the secret hero of this no-bake fudge recipe. A healthy nod to seasonal fall produce.
Get the Sweet Potato Fudge Recipe
A stack of dark chocolate sweet potato fudge on a cooling rack.
No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
One of my favorite seasonal no-bake desserts, this Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake is the perfect fall picnic dessert. With creamy layers of spiced pumpkin and cheesecake, it captures the season’s flavors without needing an oven. Easy, delicious, and full of autumn charm.
Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
A slice of pumpkin cheesecake on a plate with a fork.
Homemade Pumpkin Pop Tarts
So pretty, sweet, and tasty, these delightfully on-season homemade pumpkin pop tarts will make a beautiful fall statement at your fall or Halloween picnic. Filled with pumpkin and spice and all things nice and finished with maple-flavored icing, these lovelies are so easy to make.
Get the Pumpkin Pop Tart Recipe
Photo credit: amandawilens.com
A white plate holding six frosted, pumpkin-shaped pastries is set on a table with fall decorations, including pumpkins and flowers, in the background.
Easy Oreo Chocolate Cake
Chocolate is a cozy option any time of year and Oreos are always a good idea. This decadent Oreo loaf cake is full of rich, moist, chocolatey flavor and easy to transport for a picnic.
Get the Oreo Chocolate Cake Recipe
Chocolate cake with cookie pieces served on a plate, with more cake and cookies in the background.
Mini Apple Hand Pies
What better fall dessert for a picnic than very portable mini apple hand pies in an easy-to-eat package? They only take about 40 minutes to make and can be served hot or cold at your picnic – I have loads of simple solutions for keeping picnic food hot.
Get the Apple Hand Pie Recipe
Photo credit: thezhush.com
A basket lined with a blue cloth holds four golden-brown hand pies, with apples in the background.
Gingerbread Loaf With Cream Cheese Frosting
A moist and fragrantly spiced gingerbread cake topped with lashings of deliciously rich cream cheese frosting is an easy and very transportable sweet treat for fall picnics.
Get Gingerbread Cake Recipe
Slices of gingerbread loaf with icing on a plate.
Date Jam
This luxuriously decadent date jam is oh so-sweet but also healthy. Pack it in your fall picnic hamper for a sweet addition to muffins, banana bread, or scones. Team it with a dollop of mascarpone for a whole new spin on baked goods.
Get the Date Jam Recipe
Photo credit: aubreyskitchen.com
Keto Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Looking for a guilt-free fall treat? These keto pumpkin muffins are low in carbs but full of flavor. Perfectly portable, they're the sweet treat everyone can enjoy without the extra carbs.
Get the Keto Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
Keto pumpkin spice muffins on a wooden board.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Subtly spiced with all the season's flavors, these gorgeous Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting make a deliciously seasonal sweet treat. A lot more portable than a whole carrot cake, I love these for a fall picnic washed down with a hot mug of tea.
Get the Carrot Cup Cake Recipe
A carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese frosting topped with a walnut.
Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Sugar and Whisky-Soaked Raisins
These decadent pumpkin scones with cinnamon sugar and whiskey-soaked raisins are a fall picnic treat. Surprisingly easy to make, they’re perfect with just a smear of butter. Serve with hot tea or cider for the ultimate autumn indulgence.
Get the Pumpkin Scone Recipe
Photo credit: shekeepsalovelyhome.com
pumpkin and raisin scones with butter on a plate.
Coffee & Irish Cream Mini Bundt Cakes
These Coffee and Irish Cream Mini Bundt Cakes bring a touch of sophistication to your fall picnics. Ready in under an hour, these boozy Bundtinis with a splash of Baileys are easier to make than you'd think.
Get the Coffee Bundtini Recipe
Mini coffee and Baileys bundt cake on a plate with a gold fork.
Mini Pecan Pies
These mini pecan pies are an easy and versatile fall picnic treat. The recipe offers a decadent butter-and-cream version, but you can also adapt it to be dairy-free, vegan, whole-grain, or gluten-free. All variations are included in the recipe for your convenience.
Get the Mini Pecan Pie Recipe
Photo credit: texanerin.com
Two pecan pie bites stacked on top of each other, topped with a dollop of whipped cream, placed on a white plate.
Pear and Hazelnut Brownies
Brownies are such a great picnic dessert, I have a dedicated list of brownie recipes. Put a seasonal spin on the classic brownie. These soft, cakey chocolate brownies have all the chocolate goodness of regular brownies with the addition of roasted hazelnuts and soft pears baked in.
Get the Pear and Hazelnut Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: thelittlestcrumb.com
Double Chocolate Cupcakes
Super moist and chocolatey, these Double Chocolate Cupcakes are the perfect decadent, portable picnic dessert. Make the cupcakes and buttercream ahead, then assemble on the day for easy prep.
Get the Double Chocolate Cupcake Recipe
A chocolate cupcake with creamy frosting topped with colorful sprinkles on a wooden surface.
Toffee Apple Flapjack
These chewy, fruity flapjacks are the British version of granola bars, sweetened with butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup for irresistible chewiness. With a seasonal twist, they feature a layer of sweet apple and homemade toffee sauce hidden inside.
Get the Toffee Apple Flapjack Recipe
Photo credit: littlesugarsnaps.com
Nine oatmeal squares arranged on a rustic blue surface, surrounded by cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and red leaves.
Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
This chocolate chip banana bread is quick to prep—just 10 minutes—and perfect for a fall picnic. It's super moist, stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week, and doesn’t need any toppings. Versatile and easy to customize, you can add nuts or other ingredients for a delicious, adaptable treat.
Get the Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Photo credit: atasteofmadness.com
Three slices of pumpkin bread with chocolate chips, stacked on a white surface with blurred pumpkins in the background.

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About Kate O'Malley

Picnic enthusiast, passionate cook, and the creative force behind Picnic Lifestyle. With a globe-trotting background and a keen eye for local ingredients, she's mastered the art of crafting delectable picnics and portable feasts (especially for long travel days). Kate's passion for al fresco dining comes alive in this guide, curating perfect picnics for every occasion.

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