Cozy Fall Entertaining At Its BEST!

pamelasjacobs
Oct 4
5 min read

Updated: Oct 5

Fall has a special place in our hearts—and for good reason. It’s the perfect time to bring all our favorite friends together and cozy fall entertaining ideas to life! Here are some of the BEST recipes, decor and serving ideas for a cozy get together.

3 BEST Fall Hot Stews

What speaks comfort when the leaves are turning and the weather is chilly? A hot stew! Whether a meat eater or a vegetarian, you'll love these recipes!

1-Low-And-Slow Beef Pot Roast

This beef pot roast stew is a show-stopper - definitely a stew you'd want to entertain guests with!

Get Southern Living's Low-And-Slow Pot Roast Recipe

2-Chicken Stew

This chicken stew is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, a rich, savory broth—and a surprise ingredient.

Get Taste of Home's Chicken Stew Recipe

3-Tuscan Portobello Stew

Here’s a healthy one-skillet meal that’s quick and easy to prepare, yet elegant enough for company. I often take this stew to my school’s potlucks, where it is devoured by teachers and students alike — Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin

Get Southern Living's Tuscan Portobello Stew Recipe

5 BEST Fall Mini-Desserts

Go mini! Perfect for fall entertaining especially if going with charcuterie or a buffet. Offer miniu boxes for your guests to take home a treat!

Mini Apple Pies

How adorable at these individual apple pies? Ree says that they're so good, she can't help but eat more than one. To make things even easier, take advantage of store-bought refrigerated pie crust.

Get Ree's Mini Apple Pies recipe.

Mini-Pumpkin Cheesecakes

If making an entire cheesecake sounds intimidating, try these miniature versions instead, which are baked in a muffin tin! Pure pumpkin puree gives them their vibrant orange color, creamy texture, and autumnal flavor.

Get the Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes recipe.

Pumpkin Truffles

These decadent truffles are proof that you don't need to visit a fancy chocolate shop or have a huge dessert to enjoy the flavors of fall. They're easy to make, too!

Get the Pumpkin Truffles recipe.

Apple Pie Cookies

These cute lattice cookies are another way to get apple pie in a bite or two. You make the apple pie filling from scratch but the pie dough can be the store-bought kind.

Get Ree's Apple Pie Cookies recipe.

Carrot Cake Cookies

No need to bake a whole cake to get the warm spices and dose of cream cheese frosting that you crave. These little cookie versions taste just like it but are made in a fraction of the time.

Get the Carrot Cake Cookies recipes.

Mini Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifles

These mini trifles are a labor of love, but the payoff is worth it. They feature layers of cheesecake filling, moist pumpkin cake, a brown sugar caramel sauce, and roasted pecans.

Get the Mini Caramel Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifles recipe at Garnish & Glaze.

3-BEST Fall Mocktails

Make your fall gathering extra special by offering an autumn-inpsired mocktail. For flavors, try apple, pear, or pumpkin!

1-Pear and Honey Mocktail

The Pear and Honey Mocktail is a light and refreshing drink that highlights the gentle sweetness of ripe pears with a smooth touch of honey. Ginger ale adds warmth and fizz, giving the drink balance and a lively finish that makes it easy to enjoy.

A sugared rim provides a hint of extra sweetness, while an herbal garnish such as rosemary or thyme adds fragrance and color. Served over ice, it is as attractive in the glass as it is flavorful. Perfect for family gatherings, brunches, or evening celebrations, this mocktail feels seasonal, comforting, and versatile for any occasion.

Get MyBartender's Pear and Honey Mocktail Recipe

2-Homemade Apple Cider

Fresh and comforting, this Homemade Apple Cider is brimming with sweetness and fragrant spices like cinnamon and cloves. The slow simmer draws out rich flavor that feels just right on a chilly evening. Ladle it into mugs for family gatherings or quiet nights in, or just put it on the stove to make your house smell amazing.

Get Feast & West's Homemade Apple Cider Recipe

3-Pumpkin Mocktail

This easy pumpkin mocktail is one of the best fall drinks, wonderfully pleasant, and completely alcohol-free. It’s sweet, infused with fall spices, and fizzy. Pumpkin mocktail with its rich flavors and delicate bubbles is just a perfect drink for cool fall days.

Get AllAboutMocktail's Pumpkin Mocktail Recipe

3 BEST Fall DIY Centerpieces

1-Pumpkin Under Cover

Elegant, but easy! Handcut or pick-up a wood round, glass cloche leaves and berries of choice at your local Hobby Lobby. Handpick a pumpkin of size, color and shape to display!

2-Cabbage and Kale

Snips of cruciferous vegetables add lively texture and color to a collection of small gourds. All the items are collected neatly in a rustic wooden bowl, making this fall arrangement perfect for a round or square table.

3-Chrysanthemums and Bittersweet

Glowing orange chrysanthemums and bittersweet make up this simple autumn arrangement. for your fall centerpiece, look for vessels that signal the season such as this organic concrete vase, textured ceramic or woven pieces.

5 BEST Fall Serving Pieces

1-Maple Leaf Marble Cheeseboard and Coasters

Handcrafted from Brown Forest marble with a Natural finish.Due to the nature of the natural marble each top will vary slightly and no two pieces will be exactly alike.

Available here at Pottery Barn.

2-Smoked Coupe Glasses

The short, flat-rimmed Eve coupe features optic texture all around the glass. Makes the perfect mocktail glass or extra fancy dessert/parfait bowl. The smokey hue may feature slight variation due to the nature of the production of the glass. Exclusive, available at CB2.

3-Pinecones Cheese Spreader Set

Handcrafted to add an autumn-inspired accent to cheese boards, appetizer trays, and dining presentations. Available here on Amazon.

4-Copper Bottom Turkish Glass Mugs

Versatile and elegant design whether serving apple cider, mocktail or you’re enjoying a classic Turkish mule, this set combines versatility with style. The copper holders are designed to provide a secure grip while adding a warm, luxurious accent to your drinkware. Perfect for everyday use or entertaining, these mugs are as functional as they are visually appealing. Available here on Amazon.

5-Walnut Brown Flax Linen Buffalo Check Napkins

Walnut brown and creamy natural lines intersect in a modern buffalo check napkin with homespun charm. Our sustainable linen napkin unfolds to a lavish 22-inch square with generous hems. Prewashed for extra softness, the machine-washable cloth is finished with mitered tailoring—diagonal seaming that creates crisp corners. We love the way this buffalo plaid napkin pairs with our natural-hued artisanal dinnerware to set a warmly welcoming table. Available here at Crate and Barrel.