There’s just something about a house with that spicy scent of cinnamon and brown sugar that screams fall.
It is the time when apples, pumpkin, and spices come into play, be it a casual day baking or something for a special occasion.
This list brings all of that autumn flavor together with 14 desserts worth baking this season.
Browse through them and pick the first one you’ll make!
14. Cinnamon Apple Crisp
Tender apples bake underneath a golden, buttery streusel topping for a fall classic that comes together fast.
Skipping the oats gives the topping a crumbly, crust-like texture that holds up beautifully next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This one calls for simple pantry staples and a quick process from start to finish.
It’s a great pick for beginner bakers or anyone short on time.
13. Puff Pastry Apple Dumplings with Streusel Topping
Cinnamon-sugar apples are tucked into individual puff pastry packages for an easy dessert that looks far fancier than it is.
Each little package gets topped with a buttery pecan streusel before baking until golden brown.
A drizzle of caramel sauce right before serving takes these dumplings over the top.
They come together with just a few pantry staples and one roll of store-bought puff pastry.
12. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
These cupcakes are packed with warm fall spices and topped with a smooth maple cream cheese frosting.
The cake itself is naturally dairy free until it’s topped with frosting, and it bakes in about 30 minutes. Maple extract gives the frosting its flavor without changing the texture.
They’re a delicious option for any holiday dessert table.
11. Apple Cinnamon Sour Cream Coffee Cake
A ribbon of cinnamony apples runs through this moist cake, all topped with a thick, buttery brown sugar crumble.
Sour cream keeps the crumb soft and rich, while melted butter in the topping helps it sit perfectly on top instead of sinking in. This cake holds up well for days on the counter or in the freezer.
It’s a great choice for a potluck, football weekend or quiet night by the fire.
10. Jewish Apple Cake
Layers of cinnamon-sugar apples run through this dense, moist cake – a traditional favorite for Rosh Hashanah.
Made with vegetable oil instead of butter, this cake is naturally dairy free. A splash of orange juice keeps the crumb from drying out.
It keeps well on the counter for days, making it easy to bake ahead.
9. Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
We’re rolling biscuit dough pieces in a homemade pumpkin spice blend for a pull-apart treat with all the flavors of the season.
The dough bakes in a bundt pan until golden brown and gooey in the center. Drizzle the simple cream cheese frosting over the top once it cools.
It’s an easy weekend breakfast or dessert that the whole family can help put together.
8. Apple Butter Cookies with Cinnamon Vanilla Frosting
Soft, oversized cookies get their cakey texture from a combination of apple butter and brown sugar.
A cinnamon vanilla frosting made with real vanilla bean tops each cookie and stays soft for days.
The frosting can even be stored at room temperature.
These cookies are great for fall baking and carry right into the holiday cookie season.
7. Chai Spice Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Light and airy on the inside with a deeply caramelized top, this cheesecake gets its warmth from chai spices steeped right into the cream.
Unlike a traditional cheesecake, this one has no crust and only a small amount of flour. High heat gives the top its signature dark, cracked appearance.
It’s a naturally easy dessert to make gluten free.
6. Chai Spice Crème Brûlée
This classic French custard gets a fall makeover with chai spices like cinnamon, clove and cardamom.
The spices steep right into the cream before it’s combined with egg yolks and baked in a water bath.
A quick pass with a kitchen torch gives the top its signature crackly sugar crust.
Did I mention that you’ll only need 5 ingredients to pull this dessert together?
5. Apple Cinnamon Ice Cream Pie
A buttery graham cracker crust gets filled with a no-churn cinnamon ice cream for a fun twist on apple pie a la mode.
Syrupy cooked apples are spread over the top just before serving. And you won’t need an ice cream maker for this one!
Prepare this dessert well ahead of time, making it a great option for the busy holiday season.
4. Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This moist sheet cake is loaded with warm spices, golden raisins and pecans.
Buttermilk keeps the crumb soft, while a fluffy cream cheese frosting finishes it off. Since it bakes in a 9×13 pan, there’s plenty to go around.
It’s an easy choice for any autumn gathering.
3. Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake
This rich, buttery bundt cake gets soaked in a warm butter sauce right out of the oven.
Once cooled, it gets topped with caramel sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The butter sauce sinks into every bite for an incredibly moist texture.
It’s simple to make but looks like it took all afternoon.
2. Bakery Style Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
These jumbo muffins are loaded with pumpkin puree, warm fall spices and big chocolate chunks.
A quick chocolate drizzle on top finishes them off in bakery style. They’re easy to make gluten free with a one-to-one flour swap.
They’re a fun way to bring bakery-style flavor into a weekend of fall baking.
1. Warm Apple Crostata
This rustic, free-form pastry is filled with syrupy cinnamon apples wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust.
Don’t worry about perfect crimping, since the whole point of a crostata is to look effortlessly imperfect.
Brush the crust with cream and sprinkle with turbinado sugar before baking, then serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It’s one of the coziest desserts of the season!
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