5 Iconic Fall Flavors That Aren't Pumpkin Spice

Fall is all about enjoying crisp air and some of our all-time favorite fall flavors. As we part with summer and enter the cooler season, we welcome a wealth of delectable ingredients. We wait all summer long to be able to savor some satisfying treats made with rich flavors that tell us that fall has finally arrived.

Why do we have our sights set on fall flavors that aren't pumpkin spice? Pumpkins spice has become the quintessential flavor of the season for several reasons, a certain latte from a certain big-name coffee chain being one of them. And while we do have a lot of love in our hearts for pumpkin spice, we thought it was time to highlight a few other flavors that fall has traditionally been known for and offer up a recipe or two for each, so you can enter the season fully prepared to enjoy the bounties of the autumn harvest.  

Jump to Section

• Apples
  • Apple Crumble Cake
  • Baked Apple Oatmeal
• Cinnamon
  • Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes
• Caramel
  • Bourbon Caramel Sauce
• Ginger 
  • Pumpkin Custard
• Pomegranate 
  • Halloween Punch

Apples

Clearly a fall favorite, dishes that include seasonal and fresh apples are something we all look forward to. Apples and the fall season go hand in hand, commonly incorporated into family activities, Halloween date ideas and delicious desserts. Fall is the time when apples ripen and become the deliciously sweet treats people love, which is why there’s a plethora of incredible fall recipes showcasing the divine apple as the star ingredient.

1. Apple Crumble Cake

This delightful Cozymeal recipe for Apple Crumble Cake will teach you how to spice up your apples and include them in a dish that will make you enjoy fall more than you already do. Warm, comforting and delightfully textured, this crumble cake is perfect at any time of day and especially delectable with a hot mug of tea or coffee.

2. Baked Apple Oatmeal

The aroma alone of Chef Libby's Baked Apple Oatmeal is reason enough to whip up a batch of this wonderful breakfast classic. The fact that it makes eight servings and reheats beautifully is another appealing factor. But what brings us back to this star recipe again and again is how hearty, satisfying and tasty it is — everything you want on a crisp, fall morning. 

Cinnamon

The spicy flavor of cinnamon instantly takes any dish and makes it a fall or winter classic, whether it's Hanukkah Cake, cinnamon-tinged sweets during Diwali or cinnamon cookies at Christmastime. Adding in this signature taste tells us that fall is a season in which we are allowed to indulge a bit. 

3. Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes 

With a succulent twist of one of fall’s favorite spices, these Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes are a simple but mouthwateringly indulgent addition to any fall meal.

Caramel

Caramel is a sweet, smooth flavor that is wonderfully associated with the fall season. Its texture and flavor gives us the feeling of a sophisticated palate, as we take in that divine, rich taste that is like no other.

4. Bourbon Caramel Sauce

This recipe for Bourbon Caramel Sauce is the perfect fall treat, enhancing the enchanting flavors of pecan, pumpkin or apple pie.

Ginger

The taste and smell of zesty ginger is a sign that fall is at our doorstep and likely here to stay for awhile. Ginger warms us up as we revel in the changing colors of this amazing season. When ginger is incorporated as an ingredient, it makes any dish turn into a fall favorite.

5. Pumpkin Custard

Ginger puts the softly satisfying zing in this recipe for Pumpkin Custard — the perfect easy, smooth, rich and cream dessert for fall or anytime.

Pomegranate

The flavor of pomegranate is a fall staple. This gorgeously unique fruit can take any recipe and make it one of a kind with its abundant and joyful flavor. When fall calls, pomegranate is one flavor we are all looking to enjoy. 

6. Halloween Punch

In this super fun recipe for a spooky, non-alcoholic Halloween Punch, pomegranate is one of the staples that makes this a tasty brew for kids and adults alike. 

Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts

Exclusive deals, recipes, cookbooks, and our best tips for home cooks — free and straight to your inbox. PLUS: 500 Rewards Points.

Your city Akron Albany Albuquerque Ann Arbor Arlington TX Asheville Atlanta Aurora CO Austin Baltimore Baton Rouge Bay Area Boca Raton Boise Boston Boulder Brandon Brookfield Canton Cape Cod Carmel Cary Chandler Chapel Hill Charleston Charlotte Chattanooga Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Colorado Springs Columbus Dallas Darien Delray Beach Denver Des Moines Detroit Durham Fort Collins Fort Lauderdale Fort Worth Franklin Fresno Gainesville Gilbert Grand Rapids Hartford Henderson Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Jupiter Kansas City Katy Key West King of Prussia Las Vegas Libertyville Littleton Los Angeles Louisville Madison Maui Memphis Mesa Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis NYC Napa Naperville Naples FL Nashville New Braunfels New Jersey New Orleans Novi Oahu Ogden Oklahoma City Omaha Online Orange County Orlando Palm Springs Park City Pasadena Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland Raleigh Reno Royal Oak Sacramento Salt Lake City San Antonio San Diego Santa Barbara Santa Cruz Santa Fe Santa Rosa Savannah Scottsdale Seattle Sedona Sonoma Southlake Spokane St. Louis St. Petersburg Stephentown Sugar Land Summerlin Tampa Tempe The Hamptons Torrington Tucson Tulsa Washington, D.C. Waterbury West Chester West Palm Beach Westchester Westport Woburn Other Sign Up & Save

YOU'RE IN!

Thank you for signing up for our mailing list.

The divine tastes of the fall season are awaiting your senses. With these spectacular dishes, your palate will be pleasantly pleased. Indulge in your cravings and try some recipes with these amazing and iconic fall flavors.