Our Favorite Fall Desserts

Incomparable Royal Riviera Pears star in this stunning cross between a classic pie and spiced fruit crumble that has it all: flaky crust, juicy filling, and warming spices. It's a winning make-ahead dessert for a gathering. As soon as it comes out of the oven, allow it to cool for a minimum of three hours to allow the fruit filling to thicken and set. Serve with dollops of whipped cream.

An affogato — from the verb affogare, meaning "to drown" in Italian — is a drinkable dessert comprising a scoop of vanilla gelato topped with hot espresso. Delight in this fall version by drowning pumpkin ice cream in caramel pecan coffee.

Swirls of pumpkin butter and cranberries, for sweet-tart satisfaction in each moist and tender bite, will hypnotize you into going back again and again. Enjoy it plain or with a powdered sugar glaze and scoop of pumpkin or vanilla ice cream.

Star anise and ginger — two warm spices that have been cultivated for thousands of years in China and India — lend subtle sweetness, zesty spice, and licorice flavor to this tender apple spice cake with a buttery cinnamon topping. Enjoy it over cups of coffee after dinner with friends, or as a breakfast treat.

Harry & David pumpkin butter adds rich flavor to these individual no-bake cheesecakes loaded with ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice, and set in a classic graham cracker crust. For easy release, use a silicone muffin mold. Set the mold in the freezer for 10 minutes after chilling, and the cheesecakes will pop right out.

Try this recipe for an easy-to-make spice cake that gets its moist, rich flavor from molasses. While baking, it will send the irresistible aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom wafting through the house. A whole poached pear sits in the center of the cake — use slightly firm, unbruised pears and peel in long strokes with a vegetable peeler to keep the shape of the pear — making it a showstopper for all upcoming festive gatherings. A sweet maple glaze is the finishing touch.

This crunchy, chocolatey, chewy Moose Munch caramel bark begins with the classic combo of caramel corn and chocolate and then ramps up the decadence with drizzles of homemade caramel and roasted peanuts. It makes a great treat for game day or Halloween — or for those cool fall nights on the couch when your sweet tooth calls.