Twenty Favorite Recipes for Autumn Entertaining

I love entertaining in the fall. The kitchen is cooler, many of my favorite ingredients are plentiful, fresh, and inexpensive - like apples, squash, fennel, pumpkins, pears, quince, persimmons, pecans, dates, apple cider, and cranberries. Fall decorations are cheap, or even free, and widely varied and beautiful. Here are some of my favorite fall recipes for entertaining and include some of my all-time favorites, as well as some of this site's most popular recipes.

This salad, with its mix of crunchy, sweet, fresh, and tart flavors is a seasonal favorite.

Cranberry Apple Muffins

Definitely on my list of fall favorites is this moist and delicious muffin recipe. Filled with bright flavors it is a common guest in my oven for as long as long as I can get fresh cranberries and crisp apples.

Orange Scented Fennel Soup

We enjoy this as a main dish with a crisp salad several times during the fall, but it also makes a terrific starter for any autumn meal, including Thanksgiving and Halloween celebrations.

Kabocha Squash, Shallot, and Rosemary Sauté

Ever since I discovered Kabocha squash it has been a favorite on our fall table. You can use any other winter squash, but if you can find Kabocha you might find yourself just as addicted as I am!

Quince Bread Pudding

Another annual tradition, this is my absolute favorite bread pudding recipe. You can make it with tart apples, but it will not have the same flavor.

Savory Breaded Pumpkin Slices

Yum. These are another fall tradition that I have grown to love. I adore pumpkins, but it seems like I always have a ton of them - and I am one of those oddball people who prefer savory pumpkin to sweet pumpkin dishes. Luckily this dish has made for many converts! I also frequently add some grated Parmesan cheese to the bread crumb mixture and like eating these with a curry dip.

Deep Fried Camembert and Brie with Pears

I love serving a warm cheese and fruit course once a chill in the air arrives, and this recipe is most definitely my favorite version of that dessert or appetizer course. You can use other cheeses, all brie or camembert, and can use a mix of fruit or all apples or other firm fruit.

Harvest Gold Soup

Oatmeal in a soup? Yup! This low-fat soup actually uses oatmeal as a thickener which makes for a surprisingly delicious soup that no one will believe is low fat.

Fall Orzo Pilaf

I am sure purists everywhere are horrified, but I frequently will use orzo instead of rice in pilaf recipes. It seems to absorb more flavor when you use savory ingredients and this recipe is a heady example of just how delicious orzo can be in a pilaf. We frequently pair this with roast chicken or turkey, but you can vary the broth and seasonings so it will pair with other main dishes, and is also excellent made as a vegetarian dish if you use vegetable broth.

Parmesan-Rosemary Pumpkin

Can you tell I love the combination of pumpkin and Parmesan cheese? While pumpkin and sage are a more classic combination - and you can certainly use sage in place of the rosemary if you prefer - I really love the vivid flavor and aroma that the rosemary adds to this dish. I like topping this dish with roasted pumpkin seeds for some extra crunch.

Favorite Apple & Squash Soup

This soup is the result of buying apples and squash in bulk, and is another reason to buy apples and squash in bulk. Might seem like circular logic, but the end result is lucky and freezes well.

Apple Cider Fondue

Creamy and smooth, with a great depth of flavor and subtle fall flavor, this rich fondue will become a favorite fall dish of yours as well.

Favorite Apple & Squash Soup

This soup is the result of buying apples and squash in bulk, and is another reason to buy apples and squash in bulk. Might seem like circular logic, but the end result is lucky and freezes well.

Braised Chicken with Apple-Cream Sauce

A contribution from Becky's Cookbook, this recipe has become one of our favorite fall side dishes as well.

Moist Spiced Pumpkin Bread

This is my favorite pumpkin bread, and is not only fabulous by itself, it can also be used in a wide range of other recipes. It also can support a wide range of add-ins including diced fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, and my favorite, chocolate chips.

Hot Spiced Cranberry Apple Punch

Whoa, Nelly! This punch packs well, a punch! It is rich and full of flavor, and serving it hot completely makes the taste even more intense.

Autumn Snack Mix

This dried fruit and nut mix is flavored with just a hint of cinnamon and makes for a great, healthy snack. I serve it in small bowls or nut cups before a meal, but it can also be packed into lunches, used to top baked goods and desserts, added to stuffings and dressings, tossed in green salads, or used as a topping on simply prepared vegetables.

Caramel Almond Baked Apples

Forget sticky sweet candy apples that are coated with so much sugar you cannot even tell there is an apple beneath it. These apples have an incredible richness and depth of flavor that makes them sophisticated enough for the finale of an elegant dinner, yet sweet enough to still appeal to the children at the table.

Wen's Autumn Muffins

While I have been known to make these scrumptious muffins all year long, they are especially suitable to serving in the fall.

Cranberry, Pear, and Hazelnut Salad

This composed salad is filled with crunchy, salty, and sweet flavors that will delight your guests. Even better, it is quick and easy for the host or hostess.