6 Fall Desserts You Can Meal Prep

Fall’s in the air, and so are the cravings for cozy, comforting desserts. But who has time to bake every day? That’s where meal prepping comes in. With a little planning ahead, you can have delicious fall treats ready to enjoy all week long. Here are six recipes that are not only perfect for fall but also incredibly easy to meal prep:

1. Apple Crumble in a Jar

This deconstructed apple crumble is perfect for portion control and makes a fantastic grab-and-go breakfast or snack. You can assemble a bunch of these at once and bake them as needed throughout the week. They also reheat beautifully.

Ingredients

• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine oats, pecans, almond flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
3. Layer the diced apples and crumble mixture in mason jars or individual baking dishes.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the apples are tender.

Meal Prep Tip: Assemble the jars ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, simply pop them in the oven.

2. Baked Pears with Honey and Cinnamon

This simple yet elegant dessert is perfect for a fall evening. The pears become incredibly tender and flavorful when baked, and the honey and cinnamon add a touch of warmth and sweetness. It’s a simple recipe that can be made ahead of time. You can also warm them up slightly before serving.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe but firm pears
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the pears in half lengthwise and scoop out the core with a spoon.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Place the pears in a baking dish and drizzle with the honey mixture.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Baste the pears with the pan juices a few times during baking.

Meal Prep Tip: Bake a batch of pears at the beginning of the week and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to 5 days.

3. Pumpkin Spice Bread

Nothing says fall quite like the warm, comforting aroma of pumpkin spice bread. This recipe is easy to make and yields a moist and flavorful loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. This bread is perfect for slicing and enjoying throughout the week. It also freezes well, so you can have it on hand whenever you want.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in pumpkin puree.
4. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Meal Prep Tip: Slice the cooled bread and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. You can also freeze individual slices for longer storage.

4. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

These mini cheesecakes are a decadent yet portion-controlled treat. The pumpkin adds a festive touch, and the graham cracker crust provides a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a muffin tin lined with paper liners.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat in pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.
5. Divide the filling evenly among the muffin cups.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheesecakes are set.
7. Let cool completely before serving.

Meal Prep Tip: Bake a batch of these mini cheesecakes at the beginning of the week and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to 5 days. They’re individually portioned, so you can grab one whenever the craving strikes.

5. Spiced Cranberry and Pear Crisp

This warm and comforting crisp is bursting with fall flavors. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet pears is simply irresistible, and the crispy oat topping adds a delightful texture.

Ingredients

• 4 cups sliced pears
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine pears, cranberries, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat.
3. Pour the fruit mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. In a separate bowl, combine oats, pecans, 1/4 cup flour, brown sugar, and butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit mixture.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.

Meal Prep Tip: Bake the crisp ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the oven or microwave before serving. This crisp is perfect for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week. It reheats beautifully and is a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

6. Caramel Apple Dip

This creamy and decadent dip is perfect for dipping apple slices, pretzels, or graham crackers. The combination of sweet caramel and tart apples is a classic fall flavor pairing.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and caramel sauce until smooth.
2. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
3. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the dip to firm up.
4. Serve with apple slices, pretzels, or graham crackers.

Meal Prep Tip: Make the dip ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to 3 days.

Conclusion

Meal prepping your fall desserts is a smart strategy to enjoy the season’s flavors without the daily hassle of baking. These recipes are easy to prepare ahead of time, allowing you to indulge in delicious treats throughout the week.