DIY Fall Treats

When you think about Fall you tend to think about sweater weather, fewer bad hair days, football season, and, of course, pumpkin spice lattes. All of those things are a given when it comes to Fall but what better way to brighten up your life than to bake some delicious, warm treats such as cookies and pies?

As the temperatures drop and the leaves begin to change colors, DIY Fall treats are one way to spend those crisp Autumn days. They are easy to make (especially if you have zero baking skills like me), fun, and delicious. Show off those culinary skills by creating some tasty treats for family and friends!

1. Caramel Apple Bars

These delectable little bars are perfect if you want to whip up a little snack that’s both sweet and filling. It will definitely bring a smile to anyone who tries them and baking this simple treat is a great way to spend any autumn day.

Recipe courtesy of delish.com

Ingredients:

Spice Cake Dough

• 1 box yellow cake mix

• 1 tsp. Cinnamon

• ⅓ cup butter, melted

• ⅓ cup apple cider

Caramel Apple Center

• 1 cup caramel dip

• 1 cup crumbled graham crackers

• 2 cups diced apples

• 1 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.

• For the dough

• Combine yellow cake mix, cinnamon, butter, and apple cider, and stir.

• Divide dough in half, setting on half aside and pressing the other into a 9″x9″ baking dish.

• For the caramel apple center

• Pour caramel dip on top of dough, then sprinkle on graham crackers.

• Toss the apples with cinnamon, then sprinkle on top of caramel layer.

• Flatten discs of dough and place them on top of caramel layer.

• Bake for 25-30 min.

2. Caramel Pumpkin Pie

This mouth-watering caramel pumpkin pie is sure to get you into the Fall swing of things and would make a great dessert! The recipe is easy to follow and who could resist a slice of pie?

Recipe courtesy of delish.com

Ingredients:

• 1 15-oz. Can pumpkin puree

• ¼ tsp. Kosher salt

• 1 tsp. Cinnamon

• ½ tsp. Nutmeg

• ½ tsp. Ginger

• ⅓ tsp. Allspice

• ⅛ tsp. Cardamom

• 1 14-oz. Can sweetened condensed milk

• 2 large eggs

• 1 basic pie crust recipe

• ½ cup dulce de leche

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.

• Combine pumpkin, salt, and spices in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Cook until pumpkin is warmed, then pour into a bowl and let it cool.

• Add sweetened condensed milk and eggs to pumpkin and whisk until smooth, then pour into basic pie crust.

• Drizzle dulce de leche, and, using a knife, swirl dulce de leche into pumpkin.

• Bake 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 35-40 minutes.

3. Spiced Apple Oatmeal Cookies

What better way to spice up your life than with some spiced apple oatmeal cookies? These cookies are perfect for apple-lovers and will last you for days, fulfilling all of your cookie needs.

Recipe courtesy of feedingbig.com

Ingredients:        

• 1 cup oatmeal

• ¾ cup whole wheat flour

• 1½ tsp. Baking powder

• 1½ tsp. Ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp. Freshly grated nutmeg

• ⅛ tsp. Salt

• 2 tbsp. Unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

• ½ cup honey

• 1 cup finely diced apple can

Directions:

• Whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.

• In a different bowl, whisk together the butter, egg, and vanilla, then add in the flour mixture and stir.

• Fold in the apple.

• Chill for 30 minutes.

• Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Drop the cookie dough into 15 rounded scoops onto the prepared sheet, and flatten slightly.

• Bake for 13-15 minutes.

4. Caramel Apples  

These sweet, yet sticky delicacies are sure to delight your guests! Add sprinkles, chopped nuts or mini M&M’s if you want to add some more color to these already decadent looking golden treats.   

Recipe Courtesy of simplyrecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated white sugar

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• ¾ cup heavy whipping cream

• ½ cup dark corn syrup

• 1 tbsp. Dark molasses

• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

• ½ tsp. Salt

• 6 sturdy lollipop sticks

• 6 medium apples

Directions:    

• Place sugar, butter, cream, corn syrup, and salt in a large saucepan.

• Heat on medium heat and stir slowly until butter has melted and sugar has dissolved.

• Let the caramel mixture come to a boil and continue to stir.

• After about 15 minutes of boiling, remove from heat and pour into a metal bowl and let the mixture sit until it cools.

• While sauce is cooling, insert sticks into the center of the apples.

• Once sauce has cooled, dip apples in sauce so the sauce completely covers the apples, then place on a lined baking sheet.

• Refrigerate for 15 minutes.     

• Once the caramel apples have chilled for a few minutes, remove from the refrigerator and press the caramel that has pooled at the bottom of the apples up against the side of the apples.

5. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Mini pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect sweets to go with those long autumn days. Paired with a steaming cup of coffee, these treats make a perfect snack after a long day.    

Courtesy of delish.com

Ingredients:

Gingersnap Crust

• 1¼ cup gingersnap cookie crumbs

• 2 tbsp. Granulated sugar

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Pumpkin Filling

• 12 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature

• ½ cup pumpkin puree

• 1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ tsp. Ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice

• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

Topping

• 1 cup store-bought caramel sauce

• ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-count muffin pan with liners and a second 12-count muffin pan with only 4.

• For Crust

• Mix cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl until combined.

• Press a tablespoon of mixture into each liner, making sure the crust is tight and compact

• Pre-bake crusts for 5 minutes, then remove from oven and set aside.

• For Filling

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese on high speed until smooth.

• On medium-high speed, beat in pumpkin, egg and egg yolk.

• On high speed, beat in sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until combined

• Pour filling into each crust.

• Bake for 18-20 minutes.

• Let cheesecakes cool at room temperature in pan.

• Once completely cool, place pan in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

• Once chilled, drizzle with caramel sauce and garnish with toasted pecans.

As we slowly make the transition from Summer to Fall, we have to say goodbye to sun-kissed skin, beautiful sunny weather and spontaneous trips to the beach. Having these Fall treat recipes will help make the transition easier and and will make any cool Autumn day even just a little bit cozier.

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