Post Overview: Best fall treats in NYC
There’s only one time a year I look forward to spam e-mails: fall. The reason? The turn of the seasons means the return of fall treats in New York City and the marketing teams at bakeries know just how to reel me in.
Every time I almost click unsubscribe my mind goes to the pumpkin, cinnamon, and maple flavored treats that fill my inbox every September, October and November.
So as a quick-fix I decided to write this post outlining the best fall treats in NYC. It scratched my pumpkin-loving itch as I anxiously await the first of the emails I know are being fine-tuned in PR companies all across New York.
Are you ready to dive in? Because I am!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Fall Desserts NYC
#15. Doughnut Plant: Pumpkin Spiced Donut
Every great foodie city has their go-to spots for amazing fried treats and Doughnut Plant is at the top of our list for best fall desserts in NYC! Their case is overflowing with stunning options full of seasonal flavors like apple cinnamon crumble and pumpkin spiced donuts.
Offering both a yeast and cake-styled pumpkin spice donut, Doughnut Plant uses real pumpkin in both the dough and the glaze.
The fall treat is then topped with pumpkin spiced seeds and the texture of the crunchy against the chewy dough is a dream. The donuts are dense in the center with the slightest crunch on the exterior.
With multiple locations in NYC, make sure prioritize these autumn goodies in your quest for the best fall treats in New York City.
Address: Multiple Locations in New York City.
#14. Posh Pop: Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cheesecake
If you’re looking for the best fall treats in NYC but have dietary limitations, Posh Pop is one of the greatest gluten-free bakeries in the city. Hell, even if you don’t need to avoid gluten, one bite of these fall treats will make you think twice.
Their beautiful desserts have become an instagram sensation but not without reason! They taste as great as they look.
In terms of delicious fall desserts in New York City you can’t miss out on, clear standouts are the Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cheesecake bars and the Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake.
The snickerdoodle cheesecake is the highlight of the cheesecake bar, which has an oatmeal cookie crust as its foundation. The sweetness doesn’t stop there, though; a small snickerdoodle cookie sandwich and snickerdoodle buttercream are added as the finishing touches.
It’s truly like three desserts in one — but man are the calories worth it.
Locals Tip: Want to wow your guests for Thanksgiving? Skip the traditional pumpkin pie and instead opt to order the Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake. I swear the following year everyone will be inviting you over. 😉
Address: 192 Bleecker St, New York, NY
#13. Lady M: Pumpkin Nuage (Cheesecake)
Cheesecake is an iconic staple of New York City, and every fall it gets a makeover in one of the best ways possible.
Lady M releases their pumpkin nuage every October 1st, which is basically a pumpkin cheesecake. If pumpkin pie and cheesecake were to have a baby it’d be this, and it’s one of the best fall treats in NYC.
Nuage is the French word for cloud, and it’s a fitting name. While most cheesecake is dense and heavy, the pumpkin nuage is light and airy.
Address: 41 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
#12. Billy’s Bakery: Pumpkin Bar
As soon as October rolls around I’m running out the door into the sweet, sweet arms of Billy’s Bakery just to get my hands on a Pumpkin Bar.
Made with a cinnamon-spiced cake and chopped pecans, the bar puts any other pumpkin spiced treat to shame. Oh and don’t even get me started on the thick layer of cream cheese icing.
And the pumpkin bar isn’t the only seasonal NYC fall dessert you can get your hands on at Billy’s. The bakery is brimming with options.
Offering everything from Maple Creme Whoopie Pies to an Autumn Spice Bundt Cake, you can’t go wrong visiting Billy’s Bakery for delicious fall treats in NYC.
Address: Multiple Locations in New York City.
#11. Funny Face Bakery: Pumpkin Sugar ‘N Spice Cookie
Funny Face Bakery needs no introduction. Taking the internet by storm, the colorful and playful cookie shop breaks all the rules and is responsible for creating some of the best fall desserts in New York City.
Any cookie craving you might have while searching for the best fall treats in NYC can be cured at this vibrant shop. Along with the expertly-decorated cookies, the bakery offers seasonal gooey cookies that you can’t afford to miss.
The Pumpkin Sugar ‘N Spice is (and always will be) a fan favorite. White chocolate chips are baked into the thick, sweet, pumpkin-flavored cookie dough, and sprinkled in a coat of cinnamon for a finishing touch.
Eating the cookie while it’s still warm is key to experiencing the melted chocolate perfectly collude with the spice of it all.
Address: 6 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038 & 319 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
#10. One Girl Cookies: Pumpkin Whoopie Pie
For those who may not be familiar with them, whoopie pies can best be described as a cake-like Oreo cookie. Instead of crunchy cookies, whoopie pies are made with soft cake and the cream filling is similar to an Oreo, just a little bit fluffier.
One Girl Cookies in Brooklyn takes it up a notch during the month of October and churns out one of the best fall desserts in NYC.
Traditionally whoopie pies are made with a chocolate cake, but during the fall season expect to find the treat made with pumpkin pie cake and a cream cheese filling.
You’ll quickly feel like a child again after trying these NYC fall treats, and you won’t be able to stop yourself from buying a dozen at once.
Address: 68 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
#9. Starbucks Reserve: Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
With only six Starbucks Reserve roasteries in the world, one of the most memorable fall treats in New York City is the Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini.
Essentially, Starbucks Reserve is an upscale version of the beloved coffee shop and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. For starters, the place is huge and offers cocktails (anyone traveling with kids? you’re welcome).
For a limited time, Starbucks Reserve will offer a selection of artisanal foods and drinks with pumpkin spice, including a Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Spice Whiskey Barrel-Aged Iced Latte, and Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini.
I know this is a list of the best fall treats in NYC but couldn’t one argue that if a drink comes topped with whipped cream it could be classified as a dessert? 😉
Address: 61 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
#8. Milk Bar: Apple Cider Donut Truffles
Apple cider donut truffles… need I say more?
When it comes to creative fall desserts in New York City, Milk Bar comes out on top. It’s difficult to top the mixture of apple cider, cream cheese, pumpkin, and cinnamon all working together in unison to create a smooth bite-sized treat.
Another notable NYC fall dessert from Milk Bar is the apple cider doughnut cake. When I tell you this cake is the epitome of fall, believe I’m saying it with my whole chest.
The spiced doughnut cake is layered with a tantalizing cream cheese frosting and apple bits sprinkled throughout the tiers. To top off the cavity just waiting to happen, the cake is then dusted in a crunchy cinnamon coating creating the most harmonious combination.
The cake is expertly crafted and should not be glossed over when searching for the best fall treats in NYC.
Address: Multiple Locations in New York City.
#7. Magnolia Bakery: Seasonal Banana Pudding or Pumpkin Spice Cake
Please don’t make me choose a favorite!
Magnolia Bakery and I are on a first-name basis at this point. It seems like every fall season they come out with a new flavor and are begging to take my money (which I am more than willing to give them).
If you’re seeking to find the best fall treats in New York City, there’s no need to look elsewhere. The renowned bakery was established in 1996 and has since become a global phenomenon thanks to their famous banana pudding.
The traditional banana pudding is rich, flavorful, and delicious. The best part, though, is that they now have seasonal flavors available. In the past flavors like pumpkin spice and apple crisp pudding were introduced and we are all better for it.
But if pudding is not going to cut if for you, the Pumpkin Spice cake is a top contender and is considered one of the best fall desserts in NYC.
Address: Multiple Locations in New York City.
#6. Sundaes And Cones: Pumpkin Ice Cream
Even though summer is long gone by the time pumpkin flavored goods take their seat on fall menus, ice cream knows no boundaries and is an acceptable treat, year-round.
Sundaes And Cones has masted the frozen delight and the pumpkin ice cream is considered one of the best fall treats in NYC.
The ideal afternoon pick-me-up snack can be found at this East Village ice cream shop, which is only ten minutes’ walk from Union Square Park. Order your cone to-go and park yourself on a park bench and enjoy one of the best fall desserts New York City has to offer.
Address: 95 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003
#5. Mister Dips: Seasonal Ice Cream
Continuing on the ice cream train, another fantastic fall treat in New York City to enjoy is at Mister Dips down at South Seaport Street.
Located on Pier 17, the cutesy burger and shake shop churns out the most adorable ice cream cones I’ve ever laid my eyes on.
The specialty soft-serve cones are delectable as well as amusing to look at. Whatever the upcoming holiday or season, Mister Dips is comes prepared with a tasty surprise.
Last year they had a Maple Creemee cone topped with brown butter and pecans for the month of November and spooky themed cone for October.
Address: 89 South St, New York, NY 10038
#4. Dominique Ansel: Cronut
Dominique Ansel is a must for the famous, cult-following cronut. The cronut is a mix between a croissant and donut. Run don’t walk.
The popularity of the cronut is so extreme, the bakery runs out within hours. But surprisingly the line doesn’t stop. Folks wrap around the block waiting to get a treat (any treat) from this acclaimed bakery.
The reason why the cronut is among the best fall treats in NYC (aside from the obvious) is the fact that the flavors rotate every month and never repeat.
That’s right! For the past decade, Dominique Ansel (the genius behind this innovative treat) creates a new flavor every month to keep New Yorkers and visitors on their toes. Until the flavor is out, we have no way of preparing you for it because we have yet to try it!
Here is the 2023 lineup for Cronut flavors (we will update the list as soon as the new flavors are out).
- September: Apple Rhubarb & Mascarpone
- October: TBD
- November: TBD
Address: 189 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
#3. Daily Provisions: Seasonal Cruller
Daily Provisions was opened by Danny Meyer, the mastermind behind Shake Shack. It now proudly boasts multiple locations throughout New York City. More than one person comes to know this charming bakery after catching wind that they sell some of the best fall treats in NYC.
Famous for their fried golden delights known as “crullers”, these donuts will have you swooning after one bite. Perfectly crisped on the outside with an undeniable chewy texture on the inside, I dream about these bad boys nightly.
Daily Provisions offers two year-round options (maple and cinnamon) plus a seasonal third choice that usually pays tribute to the upcoming holiday.
The fall treat last year was the Pumpkin Spice Cruller. The autumnal flavor was expertly done, finished with candied pumpkin seeds and covered in a glaze.
Address: Multiple locations in New York City
#2. Fat Witch Bakery: Pumpkin Brownies
You’re telling me with a name like Fat Witch Bakery you wouldn’t trust everything that comes out of that kitchen? It’s a fitting title for a bakery that is renowned for creating one of the best fall desserts in NYC.
And as if the name isn’t convincing enough, Fat Witch Bakery’s claim to fame comes from their famous brownie recipe. So of course our list of best fall treats in NYC couldn’t be complete without the mention of their pumpkin brownies!
I’ll admit it might not be the prettiest treat to look at. But after biting into the thick, dense, rich block of goodness you won’t even care what it looked like. These brownies are baked with a layer of pumpkin cake on top, which balances out the rich chocolate flavor.
Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
#1. City Cakes: Pumpkindoodle Pie-Filled Cookie
City Cakes is the place you go to when you want options. When the fall season rolls around folks make a beeline to City Cakes to get their grubby little hands on a pumpkin spiced anything.
Options like Pumpkinbutter Crumble Cake, Ginger Spice Cookies and s’mores delight cupcakes make up the autumn menu and give New Yorkers and visitors some of the best fall treats in NYC.
The star of the show in my opinion is the Pumpkindoodle Half Pound Cookie (try saying that three times really fast).
The Pumpkindoodle Half Pound Cookie, is made with a gluten-free flour based version of their Signature Sugardoodle cookie. Then it gets filled with a delicious pumpkin pie cream cheese, coated with a spiced graham mixture, and the finishing touch is a drizzle of vanilla glaze on top.
P.S: Do yourself the biggest favor and order a pumpkin spice latte with cream cheese foam to pair with your fall NYC treat — you won’t regret it!
Address: 155 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Honorable Mention:
Local Farmers Market
Is there anything better than fresh apple cider and donuts during the fall? I think not! Home to 48 farmers markets throughout the Big Apple, there is no shortage of fresh fall treats in NYC.
My personal favorite market for apple cider goodies is Union Square Farmers Market. Although you can get treats year-round from any farmers market, some of the best fall desserts in New York City are the seasonal flavors found during the holidays!
Quick recap of the best fall treats in New York City
- Pumpkindoodle Pie-Filled Cookie | City Cakes
- Pumpkin Brownies | Fat Witch Bakery
- Cruller | Daily Provisions
- Cronut | Dominique Ansel
- Ice cream | Mister Dips
- Pumpkin ice cream | Sundaes And Cones
- Banana Pudding or Pumpkin Spice Cake | Magnolia Bakery
- Apple cider donut truffles | Milk Bar
- Pumpkin spice espresso martinin | Starbucks Reserve
- Pumpkin whoopie pie | One Girl Cookies
- Pumpkin Sugar ’N Spice cookie | Funny Face Bakery
- Pumpkin Bar | Billy’s Bakery
- Pumpkin Nudge | Lady M
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cheesecake | Posh Pop
- Pumpkin Spiced donut | Doughnut Plant
Best Fall Treats NYC (Helpful Map)
And there you have it friends, my round-up of the best fall desserts in NYC. As always, don’t hesitate to let us know if we missed anything.
Cheers!
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