This easy first-day-of-fall dessert is the kind of recipe I love pulling out when the weather starts to cool down and I want something warm and homemade without spending all evening in the kitchen. Using solid frozen raw cookie dough scoops as the shortcut base makes it incredibly simple, and with just three more everyday ingredients, you get a cozy baked treat that feels a little like a cross between a cobbler and a cookie skillet.

Serve this dessert warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. If you want to lean into the fall vibe, pair it with hot apple cider, coffee, or chai tea, and for a bigger family-style dessert, bring the baking dish right to the table so everyone can scoop out their own portion.

4-Ingredient Oven Baked First Day of Fall Dessert

Servings: 6

Warm baked fall cookie dessert in a glass baking dish
Warm baked fall cookie dessert in a glass baking dish

Ingredients

16 ounces solid frozen raw cookie dough scoops

1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe glass baking dish.

2. Spread the apple pie filling evenly in the bottom of the baking dish, then sprinkle the cinnamon over the top.

3. Arrange the solid frozen raw cookie dough scoops over the apple filling, spacing them out as evenly as possible.

4. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cookie dough is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.

5. Let the dessert cool for about 10 minutes before serving so the filling sets slightly and the scoops are easier to serve.

Variations & Tips

Add ice cream: This dessert really shines when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the hot baked filling and the cold ice cream makes it feel a little extra without adding any real work.

Try different nuts: If you do not have pecans on hand, walnuts work well too. You can also leave the nuts out entirely if you need a nut-free version and still end up with a delicious dessert.

Make it more spiced: For a stronger fall flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or apple pie spice along with the cinnamon. It is a small change, but it gives the whole dish more of that cozy, just-started-fall feel.

Watch the baking time: Since cookie dough brands can vary in size and thickness, start checking near the 30-minute mark. You want the tops nicely golden and the fruit layer bubbling around the edges.