6 No-bake Fall Desserts You Can Make in Under 20 Minutes That Wow

By Brandon D / September 27, 2025

Craving cozy fall flavors without turning your kitchen into a sauna? Same. These no-bake desserts deliver all the cinnamon, maple, and apple-pie energy—minus the oven drama. They’re fast, foolproof, and totally crowd-pleasing. Got 20 minutes? You’ve got dessert.

1. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups That Disappear Fast

Think caramel apples, but creamy, layered, and spoon-ready. These cheesecake cups look fancy but come together in minutes—great for last-minute guests or a Netflix dessert situation. The buttery crust, tangy filling, and juicy apples taste like fall in a glass.

Ingredients:

• 8 graham crackers, crushed (about 1 1/2 cups crumbs)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream
• 1 large apple, finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling
• Pinch of flaky salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Stir graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until sandy. Press into 6 small glasses or jars.
2. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Mix in sour cream, then fold in whipped topping.
3. Toss diced apple with cinnamon. Layer cheesecake filling over crust, then apples, then a spoonful of caramel.
4. Finish with a drizzle of caramel and a tiny pinch of flaky salt.

Serve chilled or immediately. Swap apples for pears, add chopped toasted pecans, or spike the caramel with a splash of bourbon if you’re feeling festive.

2. Maple Pumpkin Tiramisu You Don’t Have to Bake

Classic tiramisu meets pumpkin pie and it’s dangerously good. The layers are creamy, spiced, and just sweet enough, with maple syrup doing all the heavy lifting. It’s an impressive dessert that requires zero oven time and tastes even better after a quick chill.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup strong coffee, cooled
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more to drizzle
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 18–24 ladyfinger cookies
• Cocoa powder and grated nutmeg, for dusting

Instructions:

1. Whisk coffee with 2 tablespoons maple syrup; set aside.
2. In a bowl, whisk pumpkin, mascarpone, heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice until thick and smooth.
3. Quickly dip ladyfingers in the coffee (don’t soak) and layer in a small dish or 6 glasses.
4. Spoon pumpkin cream over the cookies. Repeat layers once more.
5. Dust with cocoa and nutmeg. Drizzle a touch of maple on top.

Chill for 10 minutes if you can wait. For extra oomph, add a splash of rum to the coffee. No ladyfingers? Use gingersnaps for a spicier twist.

3. No-Bake Pecan Pie Bars With a Shortbread Crunch

All the buttery, nutty joy of pecan pie, made on your counter. These bars use a quick shortbread-style base and a gooey, maple-pecan topping that sets in the fridge. They slice clean and travel well—perfect for potlucks and post-dinner nibbling.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs (or vanilla wafers)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Flaky salt, to finish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment. Mix cookie crumbs, melted butter, and salt; press firmly into the pan.
2. In a bowl, stir almond butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla until glossy.
3. Fold in pecans and a pinch of cinnamon, then spread over the crust.
4. Chill for 10–15 minutes to firm up, then sprinkle flaky salt and slice into bars.

Keep refrigerated for the best texture. Add mini chocolate chips for a turtle vibe, or swap almond butter for tahini for a nutty, not-too-sweet twist—seriously good.

4. Spiced Pear and Gingerbread Parfaits That Taste Like a Hug

These parfaits layer silky pears with crumbled cookies and a cloud of yogurt cream. They’re bright, cozy, and a little nostalgic—like gingerbread met poached pears at a party. They assemble fast and look stunning in tall glasses.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe pears, diced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8–10 gingerbread or gingersnap cookies, crumbled
• Crystallized ginger, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Toss pears with lemon juice, honey, ginger, and cinnamon; set aside to macerate.
2. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Fold in Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
3. Layer cookies, yogurt cream, and spiced pears in glasses. Repeat.
4. Top with a sprinkle of crystallized ginger if you like a little heat.

Serve right away for crunch or let sit 5 minutes for a cake-like cookie layer. Swap pears for apples, or add a spoon of caramel between layers for extra indulgence.

5. Chocolate Chai Mousse That Feels Fancy

This mousse is ultra-silky with warm chai spices sneaking in under the chocolate. It’s whisk-and-chill easy, but tastes like something you’d order at a bistro. No eggs, no fuss—just pure fall decadence in a cup.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream, cold
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• Pinch of ground ginger and black pepper
• 6 ounces dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy or oat)
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Whipped cream and shaved chocolate, for topping

Instructions:

1. Heat milk until steaming (microwave works). Stir in chocolate until melted and smooth. Add honey (if using), vanilla, and spices; cool 2–3 minutes.
2. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture gently until no streaks remain.
3. Spoon into 4–6 cups. Chill 10–15 minutes if you like it firmer.
4. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Dial up the chai with a tiny splash of brewed chai concentrate. Prefer mocha? Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder to the warm milk. It’s rich, so small portions go a long way—trust me.

6. No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Truffles With Maple Glaze

All the cinnamon roll vibes without preheating anything. These truffles are creamy inside, coated in a quick glaze, and gone in seconds. They’re bite-sized, portable, and dangerously “just one more.”

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafer or shortbread cookie crumbs
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted (for binding, optional but nice)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)
• 1 tablespoon milk, as needed (for glaze)

Instructions:

1. Mix cookie crumbs, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until doughy. Stir in melted white chocolate if using.
2. Roll into 18–24 small balls. Chill 5–10 minutes to firm up.
3. Whisk glaze: powdered sugar with maple syrup, plus a splash of milk for drizzling consistency.
4. Drizzle or dip truffles in glaze. Let set 5 minutes.

Finish with a dusting of cinnamon or a sprinkle of chopped pecans. Swap the glaze for melted white chocolate if you like a shell. These store beautifully in the fridge for quick sweet bites.

Quick Tips To Speed Things Up

• Use a food processor for cookie crumbs in seconds.
• Soften cream cheese fast by cubing it and microwaving for 10–15 seconds.
• Toast nuts in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes to boost flavor—no oven needed.
• Chill desserts in the freezer for 5–10 minutes if you’re racing the clock.

There you go: six no-bake fall desserts that bring the cozy without breaking a sweat. Pick one tonight, raid your pantry, and whip up something sweet. Your future self—with a spoon in hand—is already thanking you.