41 Delicious Reasons to Skip Pumpkin Pie This Year

Published 09/10/2019

This year, introduce a new tradition to your table by dazzling your guests with a sweet-tart Cranberry Upside-Down Cake or a tray of glossy Nutella™ Ganache Brownies—one bite from these desserts and everyone will say “pumpkin who?”

Chocolatey Desserts

Turtle Bundt Cake
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 16 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 hr 50 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 16
The beauty of the bundt is how easy and impressive it can be all at the same time! This one is no exception--a chocolate cake with caramel, pecans, and the surprise ingredient, chocolate pudding, mixed in for extra moistness, baked and topped with buttery caramel sauce, a rich chocolate glaze and chopped pecans completes this beautiful cake.
French Silk Brownies
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 14 reviews.
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 4 hr 0 min
Ingredients: 12
Servings: 24
A classic pie takes a new shape, guaranteed to satisfy the biggest chocoholics! A fudge brownie layer is topped with silky chocolate filling and finished off with picture-perfect sweet whipped cream swirls that everyone will fall for.
Fudge Ripple Brownie Bars
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 6 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 5 hr 45 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 24
We’ve turned a classic ice cream flavor into a decadent bar. Fudgy Betty Crocker™ brownies get topped with a fluffy white chocolate layer that’s rippled with chocolate syrup for an intriguing treat.
Brownie Nut Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
3.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 8 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 hr 30 min
Ingredients: 17
Servings: 9
A classic recipe from the 1976 edition of "Betty Crocker's Cookbook," this one-bowl chocolate cake is sized right for small families.
Chocolate-Toffee Crunch Layer Cake
4.7 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 3 reviews.
Prep time: 60 min
Total time: 3 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 12
This layered cake is pure chocolate confection. Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ chocolate cake mix gets an extra chocolaty plus-up from the addition of chocolate pudding before baking. A from-scratch dangerously good dark chocolate buttercream frosting covers the three layers of cake. The special addition that takes this dessert to the next level? A toffee bits crunch that’s sprinkled among the frosting in between the cake layers, and then piled atop the cake. For an extra-fun touch, we added small frosting stars piped around the edges of the top of the cake! It’s a truly over-the-top chocolate dessert that makes a gorgeous centerpiece, and makes any chocolate-loving guest very happy.
Nutella® Ganache Brownies
4.9 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 7 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 4 hr 20 min
Ingredients: 6
Servings: 16
Next time you need a party dessert or just want to pamper someone special (you’re special, by the way), this is your recipe. Betty’s perfect brownies get topped with a glossy ganache and pretty sprinkle of toasted hazelnut for an impressive look that also hints at the secret ingredient: Nutella™! This delectable chocolate-hazelnut spread gets added to the ganache—a fudgy frosting made of chocolate and heavy cream—giving it extra chocolaty flavor, hint of nuttiness, and a lot of ooey-gooey texture. This simple ganache is made in the microwave, so it’s extra quick, and Betty’s brownies start with a mix, which means this spectacular dessert is actually super easy—only 15 minutes of hands-on time required!
Chocolate Ganache-Caramel Cookie Tart
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 4 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 4 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 9
Servings: 16
The definition of a decadent dessert, this dreamy chocolate ganache-caramel tart (with chocolate chunk cookie base, of course) gets drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with sea salt to become an absolute showstopper.

Loading component...

Nutty Desserts

Salted Peanut Slab Pie
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 8 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 3 hr 0 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 24
Try a new version of the classic pecan pie! Rich, gooey filling with loads of chopped salted peanuts stirred in, baked in a pie that’s perfect for a crowd. It’s bound to be the new hit with pecan pie lovers!
Pecan Pie Dump Cobbler
4.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 23 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 hr 5 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 12
We’ve found the most deliciously easy way to put a zero-effort spin on pecan pie. This dump dessert with a luscious, gooey, pecan pie-inspired filling and a crisp cake mix topping comes together in virtually no time but has tons of fall flavor. Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is extra indulgent—but a very good idea.
Pecan Pie Bars
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 167 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 hr 0 min
Ingredients: 11
Servings: 36
We transformed your favorite, rich and gooey Thanksgiving pie into an easy, shareable bar! These pecan pie bars deliver big on the traditional nutty, caramel flavor and the recipe yields 36 servings. So you can forget baking two pies, this recipe will feed your whole crowd! All it takes to get these bars baking is your 13x9 pan and 15 minutes of prep time. Once they’re cut and cooled, dip them in melted chocolate for a decadent holiday treat everyone will adore.
Kentucky Pecan Pie
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 31 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 3 hr 55 min
Ingredients: 12
Servings: 8
Hold on to your derby! This pecan pie goes beyond the original sweet, nutty delight and captures the flavors and traditions of Kentucky.
Salted Peanut Glazed Brownies
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 7 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 3 hr 20 min
Ingredients: 6
Servings: 16
Meet our new favorite any-occasion dessert! Seriously, there’s no place this brownie isn’t welcome. With its sweet and salty flavor and extra-chocolaty base, it’s absolutely irresistible. It’s also pretty enough for a party with its glossy peanut butter glaze dotted with redskin peanuts. So, you may be surprised to learn just how easy this dessert is to make. It starts with the unbeatable Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix, which gets enhanced with chocolate chips and peanuts. Then, mix together the glaze with Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting and some creamy peanut butter, and garnish with more peanuts. It really is that simple, and the results are sublime—don’t expect leftovers when you serve these up!
Pecan Pie Upside-Down Cake
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 87 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients: 12
Servings: 8
We love upside-down cakes, and this unbeatable combination of pecan pie and upside-down cake is no exception. Brown sugar, melted butter and pecan halves are mixed together and spread in a cake pan, which then gets topped with a sweet Bisquick™ batter, baked, and drizzled with a powdered sugar-milk glaze. The end result is a gooey pecan pie layer that sits atop a fluffy—yet dense—cake, instead of a pie crust. This dessert is a wonderful treat for fall (or all year-round for pecan pie lovers!) and tastes especially delightful when served with a side of from-scratch sweetened whipped cream. We love this cake as a sweet addition to any meal—either a post-dinner treat or even as a star of your next brunch party!
Decadent Pecan Pie (lighter recipe)
4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 21 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 hr 55 min
Ingredients: 13
Servings: 8
A holiday without a gooey, pecan-studded pie is unthinkable! This light pecan pie holds back a bit so when dessert is ready to be served, you won’t have to think twice about diving into this pie. (Not that you should, you’re celebrating after all!) Still, this lighter recipe includes oats and egg whites in the filling, which cuts down on calories for those who are counting. The result is a beautiful golden-brown pie brimming with a luscious, caramel-y filling. You won’t even be able to taste the difference!

Loading component...

Butterscotch & Caramel Desserts

Butterscotch Poke Cake
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 7 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 hr 50 min
Ingredients: 8
Servings: 12
Make this simple Butterscotch Poke Cake with Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix in a 13x9-inch pan. Quick to prepare and topped with sweet butterscotch pudding, whipped topping, and toffee, it’s a delicious twist on a classic dessert—perfect for feeding a crowd at your next gathering.
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
4.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 2 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 hr 50 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 25
Your new favorite indulgence--a chocolate chip cookie bar topped with a luscious layer of salted caramel for the ultimate chocolate-caramel taste sensation.
Double Butterscotch Pudding Cookies
5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 24 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 7
Servings: 30
These Double Butterscotch Pudding Cookies are an easy cookie recipe made with Betty Crocker™ Sugar Cookie Mix, butterscotch pudding mix, and butterscotch chips for soft, chewy cookies with rich buttery-caramel flavor. Finished with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt, these homemade butterscotch cookies are a simple dessert with the perfect sweet-and-salty bite and great for bake sales, potlucks, lunchbox treats, or weekend baking at home.
Praline Crumb Caramel Cheesecake Bars
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 1150 reviews.
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 3 hr 35 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 36
Enjoy cheesecake in the form of an easy bar with layers of caramel, rich toffee and crunchy nuts.
Butterscotch Pudding Layer Cake
3.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 10 reviews.
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 3 hr 30 min
Ingredients: 14
Servings: 12
Love butterscotch? This easy Butterscotch Pudding Layer Cake starts with Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix and gets rich flavor from butterscotch pudding, melted butter, and milk. Layered with homemade butterscotch-dark chocolate buttercream frosting, then finished with crushed pretzels, caramel, and sea salt, this sweet-and-salty dessert is a showstopping cake for parties and special occasions.

Loading component...

Spiced Desserts

Pear Spiced Bundt Cake
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 19 reviews.
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 2 hr 25 min
Ingredients: 14
Servings: 16
We added pureed pears and pumpkin pie spice to cake batter to create a moist and flavorful cake.
One-Bowl Apple-Spice Bundt Cake with Butterscotch Glaze
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 88 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 hr 20 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 12
Chopped apples give texture and flavor to this easy one-bowl cake. The simple butterscotch glaze topping takes the flavor over the top!
Apple Cardamom Cake
4.1 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 19 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 hr 30 min
Ingredients: 14
Servings: 8
Ready for a fresh fall dessert that’s rooted in tradition? Pick this recipe for a simple scratch cake that might remind you of something Grandma used to make. Similar to a pound cake but with fragrant, sweet cardamom cutting through its rich buttery crumb. Sliced apples strewn across the top melt into the cake just slightly during baking for a pretty look that only needs a dusting of powdered sugar to be complete. The end result is an apple dessert that’s not too sweet but incredibly flavorful. It’s as perfect with a steaming cup of coffee at breakfast time as it is mounded with whipped cream after dinner. And since it’s ready to serve in just over an hour, it’s totally weeknight friendly!

Loading component...

Fruit-Filled Desserts

Salted Caramel Apple Slab Pie
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 14 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 1 hr 40 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 24
Apple pie is a snap when using ready-to-bake pie crust! Salted caramel and apples are topped with a crumbly, brown sugar-oatmeal streusel and baked to perfection in this easy-to-make slab pie that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 28 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 8
The quintessential fall berry falls head over heels in this sweet-tart spin on an upside down cake. Cranberries, butter and brown sugar go on the bottom of your cake pan before the batter, but once the cake’s turned out, they form a caramelly top that pops with cranberry tartness. Stock up on cranberries while they’re in season—this cake can be made year-round with frozen berries.
Lemon Meringue Pie
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 205 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 7 hr 10 min
Ingredients: 15
Servings: 8
Whether you crave the old-fashioned flavor of a homemade lemon meringue pie, or you’re trying it for the first time, this top-rated recipe promises to be a sweet-tart delight! It’s a trio of layers that blend perfectly for irresistible taste and texture. You start with a tender, flaky baked pie shell, fill it with smooth, tangy-sweet lemony custard-like filling, and top it all off with a cloud-like, billowy meringue.

This light, airy pie is always a hit on hot summer days and adds a refreshing finish to your Easter or Mother’s Day celebrations. It’s the perfect pie to make as we embrace the warm, sunny days of spring and summer.

Our step-by-step directions will help you master lemon meringue pie, even if it’s your first time making it. We’ve perfected this classic recipe over the years with the best tips and tricks, so it’s always a baking success in your kitchen. Our recipe makes just right amount of filling and meringue for perfect layers. This is a show-stopping dessert that will earn you rave reviews and plenty of requests to make it again!
Easy Apple Pie Cookie Cups
4.8 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 5 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 hr 35 min
Ingredients: 5
Servings: 24
These adorable cookie cups are easy as pie—actually, they’re easier! Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix and spiced pie filling provide a shortcut start to these irresistible apple treats that are perfect for fall.
Cherry Cobbler
4.4 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 126 reviews.
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 5
Servings: 6
It’s even easier than pie! Bake tempting cobbler the easy way with cherry pie filling. It’s perfect baked under a tender, flaky crust.
Cranberry-Orange Pound Cake
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 99 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 hr 35 min
Ingredients: 12
Servings: 16
Cake mix and instant pudding mix speed the prep of this irresistibly rich crimson-studded pound cake.
Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
4.3 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 87 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 hr 40 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 12
You know that moment when you want an apple cider doughnut but also want a cake? Yeah, same. That's where our Apple Cider Doughnut Cake comes in. The cake batter is infused with shredded apple and cider for a dessert you won't be able to stop thinking about. From celebrating fall to birthdays to just because, this Apple Cider Doughnut Cake made with yellow cake mix is a must! Apples from the farmers' market, the store or, even those you picked at the orchard yourself are perfect for our cider doughnut cake. It's also so cute; it's almost illegal not to post it on social media.
Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 645 reviews.
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 3 hr 40 min
Ingredients: 10
Servings: 24
Prize-Winning Recipe 2007! Oatmeal cookie mix and pie filling make it easy to get a delicious apple pie-like bar.
Black Forest Layer Cake
4.6 out of 5 stars, average rating value out of 5 reviews.
Kitchen Tested
Prep time: 1 hr 30 min
Total time: 3 hr 30 min
Ingredients: 21
Servings: 12
If you’re looking for a baking project or beautiful (and wildly delicious!) layered cake for a special occasion, look no further than this Black Forest Layer Cake. Three layers of a moist chocolate cake are separated by a from-scratch cherry filling (made with dark sweet cherries) that’s both rich and tart in its taste, then frosted with a Swiss buttercream frosting and decorated with shaved chocolate and a pile of maraschino cherries. What makes this cake truly special is the “double dam” frosting border! Frosting is piped twice on the outside edge of the cake layer so there’s a thick layer of buttercream that holds in the cherry filling. The end result is a dramatic black and white look and a touch of extra Swiss buttercream for frosting lovers. This cake is an absolute stunner, and it will reward the baker and the guests alike!

Loading component...

Try these

Loading component...

Bake Up Something Special

Nothing warms a room quite like a warm oven. Make something special for birthdays, anniversaries, or an after-dinner snack with baking recipes sent right to your inbox.

Loading component...

41 Delicious Reasons to Skip Pumpkin Pie This Year

Chocolatey Desserts

Loading component...

Nutty Desserts

Loading component...

Butterscotch & Caramel Desserts

Loading component...

Spiced Desserts

Loading component...

Fruit-Filled Desserts

Loading component...

Try these

Loading component...

Bake Up Something Special

Loading component...

Chocolatey Desserts

Nutty Desserts

Butterscotch & Caramel Desserts

Spiced Desserts

Fruit-Filled Desserts

Try these

Bake Up Something Special

Let's be Social