13 Easy Fall Desserts To Make Ahead For A Crowd

Taylor Swift Chai Sugar Cookies

I probably made these 5 times last year, and I can't wait to do it all again this season! These chai cookies, popularized by none other than Taylor Swift herself, are perfectly plump, chewy, crispy, and sweet all at once. The warm chai spice is fall's best flavor match, especially when you enjoy 'em with a hot PSL or spiked coffee. The sweet icing is non-negotiable! (via Brit + Co)

Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin and chocolate, what more could you want?! These Paleo-approved cookies are crafted with wholesome ingredients, so you can feel good about indulging any time of day. (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Crumbl, who? These copycat cookies are like a tasty hybrid between a pie and a cookie, and they couldn't be yummier. Each one is super dense, so just one will do you in perfectly this fall. (via Chahinez of Lifestyle of a Foodie for Brit + Co)

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fear not, gluten-free babes. Here's a fall cookie recipe for you! These GF chocolate chip cookies are just as ooey-gooey as their non-GF counterparts, and they're super easy to whip up. Plus, you can freeze the dough in individual portions to stretch the shelf life of this recipe and have cookies on-deck all fall long! (via Brit + Co)

Spider Halloween Cookies

If you just can't wait for Halloween, these cute lil' spider cookies will help you dish up all the spooky vibes ahead of time. A Reese's cup spider sits atop an "oh-so tender" snickerdoodle cookie base, which is a total match made in Halloween dessert heaven. (via Chahinez of Lifestyle of a Foodie for Brit + Co)

Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

Forget s'mores – these marshmallow cookies look entirely too appetizing. The chocolate cookie base is chewy and soft, complementing the melty 'mallow seamlessly. Each bite is topped off with a layer of melted chocolate to really seal the deal. Add this fall cookie recipe to your bake list, stat! (via Completely Delicious)

Bakery Style Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal raisin cookies will always hit the spot no matter the time of year, but the warm spices and oatmeal notes they deliver seem especially perfect for eating on a cozy fall evening. This recipe emulates fresh cookies from a bakery, so you can snack on a high-quality sweet treat without ever leaving the house – or paying a premium price for a single cookie! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Vegan Peanut Butter Kisses

These vegan cookies are a total classic. The "tender and moist peanut butter cookie" will have you in a trance, while the "irresistible dark chocolate ganache center" will leave you craving more! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Latte Cookies

Brown butter is the best (and easiest) way to level up your fall cookie recipes. It adds some nuanced flavor notes that you just don't get from un-browned butter, plus a nice nuttiness that feels super fall-like. These oatmeal-packed cookies also boast pumpkin, so they'll work really well with your morning PSL. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Thumbprint Cookies

I love making thumbprint cookies because you can customize them based on the jam you have on-hand, or even make a few different varieties depending on your mood. These "buttery" shortbread cookies are complete with whatever you choose! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries and Chocolate Chunks

Talk about loaded. These fall cookies settle into the season in such a tasty way, thanks to dried cranberries and copious amounts of chocolate chunks. They're made with whole grains and no refined sugar, so they've gotta be healthy, right?! Sweetened with maple syrup and finished with a dash of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, you'll be baking these (and devouring them) every week. (via Bowl of Delicious)

Five Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies

These cookies boast star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds to form their flavor. Think of them like a more complex snickerdoodle! They come together in just 30 minutes, which is definitely preferred on busy fall evenings. (via Takes Two Eggs)

One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Chunk Cookies

One bowl and 15 minutes is all you need to create some seriously good vegan chocolate chunk cookies. The best part about this recipe in particular is it leverages wholesome ingredients, so your cookies come out healthier than most other fall cookie recipes. They're totally snack-worthy, no matter what time of day it is! (via Rachel Mansfield)

Brown Butter & Maple Chewy Pumpkin Cookies

These chewy cookies satisfy every fall craving you could possibly have: brown butter, maple, and pumpkin. Top 'em off with some chunky sea salt, and prepare to be impressed. (via Butternut Bakery)

Slow Cooker Marry Me Chickpea Soup

This slow cooker Marry Me Chickpea Soup is the perfect combo of cozy and nutritious. It's swoon-worthy!

Black Bean Lentil Soup

It's soup season! Try this meatless soup flavored with celery, carrot, garlic and lemon for your next slow cooker fix. It's low calorie, high-protein and fiber so it will keep you satisfied through the day. (via Give Recipe)

Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin is the perfect ingredient for fall and wintertime comfort. Cook it into your next chili using the slow-cooker, and witness the culinary magic for yourself! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Slow-Cooker Enchilada Casserole

This enchilada casserole stacks layers of cheese, beans, corn, and fresh veggies for a lovely differentiation of flavors. (via Damn Delicious)

Slow-Cooker Creamy Wild Rice Soup with Roasted Buttered Mushrooms

Anyone who dubs quinoa as “boring” needs a wakeup call — this cheesy, Italian-seasoned bowl full of quinoa, mushrooms, and peppers ought to do the trick. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Vegan Italian Wedding Soup

Even though this soup has meatballs in it, they're all vegan. The flavors in this bowl are simply unforgettable. (via The Edgy Veg)

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin season calls for a velvety slow cooker pumpkin soup. This one's so easy you'll have a warm bowl of delicious soup in just two steps: chop and blend! (via Where Is My Spoon?)

Slow-Cooker Chana Masala

You'll get a really nice dose of protein from the chickpeas in this vegetarian slow-cooker recipe. Make a big batch so you can feast on the leftovers all week long! (via Brit + Co.)

Vegan Corned Beef (Jackfruit) And Cabbage Soup

Slow cook this easy plant-based meal for a hearty meal on a chilly day.

Slow-Cooker Mac & Cheese Recipe

When a comfort food craving hits — mac & cheese is our forever go-to to deliver a bite of happiness. In this dish, Velveeta, cheddar cheese, butter, milk, and shell pasta bubble together for 2-ish hours to form a truly delish one-pot mac. (via Brit + Co.)

Slow-Cooker Marsala Veggie Grain Bowls

This vegetarian slow-cooker recipe combines quinoa, sweet potato, and black beans for a hearty and flavorful bowl. Everyone in your household will be craving more once you make it! (via Brit + Co.)

This white queso dip is so delicious and versatile that you can dip into it as a game day snack with chips and veggies, or drizzle it over tacos or nachos! (via Barley & Sage)

Slow Cooker Potato Curry

This Slow Cooker Potato Curry features slow-cooked potatoes and veggies in a fragrant and delicious coconut curry sauce recipe that hails from Trinidad & Tobago.

Slow-Cooker Enchilada Quinoa

Be sure to add this vegetarian slow-cooker recipe to your weekly rotation – it only calls for 15 minutes of prep! If you can handle minimal chopping and a little can opening in the morning, you’re so golden. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Slow-Cooker Vegetables

The slow-cooker is a star when it comes to whipping up vegetarian side dishes. You can easily season some of your favorite veggies then toss 'em in for a tender, tasty side for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike! (via Brit + Co.)

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup

French onion soup is the epitome of comfort food, and luckily, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly. Just make sure you have some crusty bread on-hand for delightful dipping! (via Brit + Co.)

Slow-Cooker Indian Butter Lentils

Life is good when you can throw fewer than 10 ingredients into a slow-cooker, let them hang out for 6 to 8 hours, and come home to the smell of a rich and buttery Indian classic. If you've never tried your hand at making Indian cuisine at home, this is the perfect starter recipe to feed your craving. (via Host The Toast)

Slow-Cooker Minestrone Soup

A hot bowl of soup is what chilly weather is all about. Whether you’re enduring a hectic week or relishing in a lazy Sunday, this protein-packed vegan spin on minestrone soup is a very tasty way to nourish your bod. (via Little Spice Jar)

Buffalo Crock Pot Mac & Cheese

Not all vegetarian meals are focused on veggies – indulging in this divine buffalo mac will prove that. Ease your hesitant family into Meatless Monday with this delicious bad boy. (via Whitney Bond)

Slow-Cooker BBQ Chickpeas

Traditional BBQ flavors make this plant-based chickpea sandwich a dinner win. We love how unique this slow-cooker vegetarian recipe is! (via Real Food Whole Life)

Vegan Mushroom “Bone” Broth

Some days (AKA sick days), you just want to curl up to a piping hot mug of broth. This nutritious blend features shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, and chickpeas. Though it’s made in a pressure cooker, you could absolutely go the slow-cooker route and cook this on low for 6 to 8 hours. (via Simply Quinoa)

Crock Pot Lentil Bolognese

If you’re hankering for a Bolognese sauce, but could do without the heft and greasiness, lentils will do the trick! This slow-cooked sauce is a healthy and substantial option. You may never consider a classic Bolognese again! (via Simply Whisked)

Quinoa Black Bean Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers

The best way to enjoy bell peppers? Stuffed and and utterly overflowing with vegetarian goodies. (via Pinch of Yum)

Slow-Cooker Bean Soup

If you’re going to dig into a bowl of bean soup, you have to go big or go home. Start with a bag of 15-bean mix (yes, it’s a real thing), and let the slow cooker do the hard work. (via The Seasoned Mom)

Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Dal

If you've been toying with the idea of incorporating more squash into your life, this Indian dal dish is a fab place to start. (The Girl on Bloor)

Slow-Cooker Spinach Ricotta Lasagna

If you’re not quite ready to ditch the lasagna noodles for eggplant or zucchini, worry not! There are ample vegetarian lasagnas out there that cater to plant-based diets, and this spinach and ricotta lasagna will make sure you don’t miss out on the meatiness. (via Kristine’s Kitchen)

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Ratatouille

This belly-warming blend of eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes just might end up on your weekly slow-cooker menu. (via Eating Bird Food)

Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash

Once your gourd is cooked until tender, serve it up with plenty of Parmesan, olive oil, and parsley for a low-frills dinner that always satisfies. (via Well Plated)

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Curry with Chickpeas

Top this vegetarian slow-cooker recipe off with crunchy cashews, and allow yourself to sink into a state of pure bliss. (via The Lemon Bowl)

Crock Pot Low-Carb Lasagna

Comfort food is all about the cheesy and the saucy. Sadly, with that usually comes the carb-y and the heavy, but not in this case! This meatless slow-cooker lasagna replaces noodles with eggplant, and it's kind of the best thing ever. (via Well Plated)

Viral Olympic Chocolate Muffins

Dressing up as an Olympian this year? Bring some of these delicious muffins with you to any and every party. They're sure to be a crowd pleaser! (via Brit + Co.)

Mummy Cookies

Milanos are some of my grandma's favorite cookies, which means they're always in the kitchen. For spooky season, give them an upgrade with some icing. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

No-Bake Halloween Sponge Cake

You don't need to be great at piping to create this mummified sponge cake Halloween dessert. It's easily topped off with chocolate frosting and edible eyeballs for the spooky vibes. (via Brit + Co.)

Caramel and Candy Apples

You're bound to have too many apples to use this fall. Put them to good use by making fancy treats that will give you a really good sugar rush. (via Brit + Co.)

Loaded Peanut Butter Brownies

If you ask us, you can never have enough peanut butter. That's why there are three different types of peanut butter in this recipe alone! (via Brit + Co.)

Spooky Monster Cupcakes

These black-and-white cupcakes have all the key characters covered: mummies, spiders, and skeletons. You may even want to throw in a ghost for good measure. (via Brit + Co.)

Spider Halloween Cookies

These spidery bites are simple – just bake a sweet snickerdoodle cookie base before topping each serving with a peanut butter cup and creepy chocolate spider legs! Bonus points if you can tack on the eyeball sprinkles. (via Brit + Co.)

Mean Green Neon Confetti Cake

Glow-in-the-dark cake? Yes, please. This unique dessert is a necessity for any party that lasts well into Halloween night. (via Brit + Co.)

Brain Cake

This cerebral cake is totally worth serving on a big platter for your upcoming parties. You just need to round out your cake with a cake knife and piping some frosting before drizzling with a runny jam or a syrup. (via Brit + Co.)

Easy Candy Pizza

Gather your favorite candy and get ready to smatter a pre-made pizza crust with shareable sweetness. (via Brit + Co.)

Oreo Spiderweb Halloween Pudding

Everyone will get their own fair serving of Halloween-themed pudding when you prep this dessert recipe ahead of time. Party time, that is. (via Brit + Co.)

Halloween Shot Glass Desserts

These chocolatey cups will become an instant hit – the best part is decorating each one! (via Brit + Co.)

Halloween Red Velvet Cake

Your guests will be SO impressed with your baking skills once you whip up this red velvet cake that's dripping thick in 'blood,' AKA red food coloring. The ultimate Halloween dessert! (via Brit + Co.)

Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's no trick how much of a treat these cookies are. The jack-o'-lantern faces painted with melted chocolate will get us every time! (via Brit + Co.)

Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Pops

This recipe spares you the cooking and makes it all about decorating instead. Fortunately, your imagination is the only limit when it comes to how you dress up these chocolate-covered marshmallow pops! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sometimes it's the simple desserts that are the most impressive. The flavor of these cupcakes and their minimal pumpkin decor do the trick! (via Cooking Classy)

Gluten-Free Halloween Monster Cookies

With a smile made of sprinkles, these monster cookies aren't too spooky to eat. Better yet, they're gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy them. (via Primavera Kitchen)

Bloody Cupcakes with Faux Glass Shards

Edible blood and shards of sugary broken 'glass' make these cupcakes a gruesome gastronomic delight. (via The Cookie Writer)

3-Ingredient Rice Krispies Treats Halloween Dessert

Spend more time enjoying the Halloween festivities, and less time in the kitchen when you make these three-ingredient Rice Krispies treats. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

Brownie Brittle Peanut Butter Cookie Ghost Cups

More cute than creepy, a batch of peanut butter cookie cups decorated like little ghosts will put a smile on your face ahead of Halloween. (via Food Faith Fitness)

Candy Corn Peanut Bars

This gooey mess of Halloween dessert candy, peanut butter, and marshmallows is better than you might initially believe. Just keep the napkins handy, because your hands are about to get stickyyy. (via Julie's Eats & Treats)

Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

Basic Rice Krispie treats get dressed up for the occasion with some seasonal sprinkles and eyeball candy in this Halloween dessert recipe. (via Amanda Wilens)

Monster Brownie Pizza

Pizza isn't always savory. Swap the OG crust for brownie batter, and the cheese and meat for some purple frosting and candy eyeballs to make a ghoulishly tasty dessert. (via Passion For Savings)

Monster Cupcakes

Edible eyes are a staple for decorating Halloween desserts. Split up your buttercream into several different colors and go to town piping a colony of friendly monsters on top of your cupcakes! (via Life With The Crust Cut Off)

Black Widow Peanut Butter Bars

A little sweet and a little salty, these peanut bars can look like spiders in a web with some creative icing work and strategically placed candy. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Monster Matcha Waffles

You'll wake up in full Halloween celebration mode when monster matcha waffles are on the breakfast or brunch menu. (via Handmade Charlotte)

Pumpkin Patch Candy Corn Brownie Bites

Anything bite-size is always a must-make. Let the kids help plant the pumpkins, and they'll be ready for eating in no time. (via Crazy for Crust)

Squirm Jello Shots

This adults-only Halloween dessert will make everyone feel like a kid again. Vodka-spiked Jell-O is filled with gummy worms, then chilled until set into one squirmy, squiggly treat. (via Boulder Locavore)

Spiderweb Cake

Who would think that cake and spiders could be this stylish? It's as tasty as it is beautiful with its dark-cocoa batter and orange-flavored buttercream. (via Liv for Cake)

Spooky Cinnamon Sugar Flour Tortilla Crisps

Crunch away on these homemade cinnamon sugar bat crisps paired with your favorite dip. Opt for whole-wheat tortillas if you're looking for an even healthier version. (via Simply Recipes)

Bat Oreo Pops Halloween Dessert

Oreo pops are infinitely customizable, and you don't even have to turn on the oven to make a batch for your next get-together! (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

Witch Hat Peanut Butter Cookies

You can make these peanut butter witch hats in a flash. Change up the decorative sprinkles to add variety, and you've basically mastered witchcraft. (via Life With the Crust Cut Off)

Brownie Spiders

This is one spider you won't want to squish. Use chow mein noodles to make the little legs, and pop on a couple of edible eyes so they can see their untimely demise. (via Gimme Some Oven)

Homemade Worms and Dirt Dessert

Three cheers for nostalgia! It doesn't get much better than chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms. Serve this Halloween dessert up in a beaker to craft some spooky science. (via The Cookie Writer)

Halloween Monster Eye Thumbprint Cookies

You'll want to dunk these cookies in milk as fast as possible, so you don't have to see how scary they are! (via Mommy Musings)

Swampy Frog Egg Pudding

Tapioca and boba pearls are what make this sweet pudding look like a vat of bubbling frog spawn. (via Boulder Locavore)

Vegan Halloween Cookies

All these vegan sugar cookies need to be Halloween-ready is a few spoonfuls of orange and black sprinkles. (via Salt & Lavender)