10+ Fall Baking Recipes to Warm Up Your Cozy Kitchen

Fall baking brings so much warmth and comfort as the air gets crisp. There’s nothing like filling your kitchen with the scents of cinnamon, apples, and pumpkin.

You get to enjoy those cozy, seasonal flavors that make your home feel extra inviting. These recipes help you whip up treats that really shine in autumn.

Baking in the fall is a great excuse to hang out with family or friends. Whether you’re into sweet desserts or something with a little spice, there’s something here for everyone.

Your baking can capture those simple fall joys and make any day feel a bit more special.

1) Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Pumpkin crumb cake is the kind of cozy treat you’ll want to make more than once. It’s got a soft, pumpkin-spiced base and a buttery, crunchy crumb topping.

The pumpkin keeps it moist and brings out that classic fall flavor. Cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth in every bite.

This cake works for breakfast or as a snack with coffee or tea. When it’s in the oven, your kitchen just smells like fall.

For a solid recipe, check out this pumpkin crumb cake that nails the balance between soft cake and crispy topping.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp

2) Skillet Caramel-Apple Crisp

This skillet caramel-apple crisp is a go-to fall dessert that’s surprisingly easy. Fresh apples and gooey caramel sauce bring sweet, tangy flavor.

Cooking in a cast iron skillet makes the topping extra crispy. You start by tossing apple slices with lemon juice and spices.

Add caramel and sugar for that rich sweetness. Once it’s in the skillet, sprinkle the oat topping all over.

A quick bake at 350°F (175°C) softens the apples and browns the topping. Serve it warm—ice cream or whipped cream on top just makes it better.

Ingredients

• 6 cups sliced apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup butter, cold and cubed

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss apples with lemon juice, caramel sauce, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
3. Transfer apple mixture to a 9-inch cast iron skillet.
4. In another bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, and flour.
5. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
6. Sprinkle topping evenly over the apples.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until topping is golden and apples are tender.

3) Brown-Butter Maple Muffins

These muffins mix nutty brown butter with sweet maple syrup for a super cozy treat. They’re perfect for slow fall mornings.

The brown butter gives them a rich flavor, and a hint of nutmeg adds just the right spice. You only need one bowl, so cleanup’s a breeze.

They’re great for breakfast or as a snack with something hot to drink. The crumb is soft, and the sweetness isn’t over the top—just right.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Melt the butter in a pan until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, then set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Add the browned butter to the bowl and mix well.
5. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
6. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
7. Stir in the buttermilk until just combined.
8. Divide the batter into a muffin tin lined with paper cups.
9. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Let cool a few minutes before enjoying.

You can check out the full recipe at Brown-Butter Maple Muffins Recipe – NYT Cooking.

4) Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin cheesecake bars are a simple way to get those autumn flavors in dessert form. Creamy cheesecake swirled with spiced pumpkin sits on a crunchy crust.

You can use gingersnap cookies or cinnamon graham crackers for the base. The pumpkin layer gets a boost from cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

These bars are easy to slice and share. They store well and honestly taste even better the next day.

If you’re short on time, look for recipes with just a dozen ingredients—they come together fast.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnap or graham crackers
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Mix crushed cookies with melted butter; press into a 9×9 inch pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, and spices; mix well.
5. Pour filling over crust and smooth top.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until set but slightly jiggly in center.
7. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before cutting.

You can get all the details at Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars – Live Well Bake Often.

5) Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Apple cinnamon sugar donuts are a classic fall treat you can actually bake at home. Applesauce and fresh apple chunks make them extra soft and moist.

Once they’re out of the oven, toss them in cinnamon sugar for that sweet, simple finish. No frying needed, so they’re lighter and still packed with flavor.

They come together in one bowl and bake up quick at 350°F (175°C). The smell alone will have everyone wandering into the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 fresh apple, peeled and diced
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Cinnamon sugar (1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Add applesauce, diced apple, and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir just until mixed.
5. Spoon batter into donut pan. Fill about ¾ full.
6. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool 5 minutes, then toss in cinnamon sugar while warm.

6) Fudgy Pumpkin Brownies

Fudgy pumpkin brownies are a fun twist on the classic. You get rich chocolate mixed with smooth pumpkin and warming spices.

They’re soft in the middle and just right for fall. You only need basic ingredients: butter, chocolate, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and vanilla.

A swirl of pumpkin cheesecake or a few chocolate chunks takes them up a notch. They bake quickly and smell amazing.

These brownies are great for snacks or sharing at gatherings. If you’re after something easy and crowd-pleasing, give these a shot.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 oz chocolate
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt butter and chocolate together.
3. In a bowl, beat eggs and sugar.
4. Mix in pumpkin and vanilla.
5. Stir in melted chocolate mixture.
6. Add flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.
7. Pour batter into a greased pan.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
9. Let cool before cutting.

7) Apple Pumpkin Crumble Cake

Apple Pumpkin Crumble Cake is a fall favorite that’s both soft and crunchy. The pumpkin cake base is warm and cozy, and sliced apples on top add a sweet, fresh bite.

A buttery crumble finishes it off with a little crunch. It’s easy to make and smells fantastic as it bakes.

You’ll want to keep this one on hand for family or friends when the weather cools down. The flavors of pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon just work together.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 apples, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup oats (optional for crumble)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and pumpkin puree.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Pour into a greased pan.
5. Arrange apple slices on top of the batter.
6. Mix brown sugar, butter, and oats for the crumble. Sprinkle it on the apples.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool before serving.

8) Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin oatmeal cookies really hit the spot in the fall. They mix that cozy pumpkin flavor with chewy oats and just the right amount of spice.

Brown butter gives them a deeper, almost nutty taste. They’re soft, rich, and honestly, pretty hard to stop eating.

No fancy gear needed—just a bowl and a spoon. You can toss in chocolate chips or nuts if you’re feeling it.

I love how they’re not too sweet, and the spices don’t smack you in the face. They’re perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (preferably browned)
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 3 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown the butter in a pan and let it cool a bit.
3. In a bowl, mix the brown butter, pumpkin puree, both sugars, egg, and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in oats and chocolate chips if you want.
7. Drop spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, just until the edges turn golden.
9. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.

9) Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls just feel right when the weather cools down. The dough’s soft and swirled with cinnamon sugar and spices.

You can add apples or pumpkin for a little twist. The smell alone is worth making them.

A brown butter maple glaze on top really takes them up a notch. I mean, who doesn’t love a gooey, warm cinnamon roll?

Try pumpkin cinnamon rolls for that pumpkin spice vibe. Or go with apples for a classic fall flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 cup pumpkin puree or diced apples (optional)
• Brown butter maple icing (butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Warm up the milk and butter, then pour into the dry ingredients with the eggs.
4. Knead until smooth, then let the dough rise for about an hour.
5. Roll out the dough and spread on pumpkin puree or apples if you like.
6. Roll up the dough into a log and slice it into pieces.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden.
8. Drizzle with brown butter maple icing and eat them warm.

You can check out more ideas for apple cinnamon rolls with brown butter maple icing.

10) Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin bars are one of those easy, crowd-pleasing fall desserts. They’re moist, spiced just right with cinnamon and nutmeg, and come together in a single pan.

A thick layer of cream cheese frosting really makes these bars pop. That tangy-sweet combo is hard to beat.

They’re great for potlucks or just a random Tuesday when you want something that tastes like autumn. I always think they’re best a little chilled, but hey, you do you.

If you want a recipe with cream cheese frosting, here’s a good one: Paul’s Pumpkin Bars.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.

3. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

4. Grab another bowl and beat together the sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. You want it smooth, but don’t stress if it’s not perfect.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Blend until it comes together.

6. Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for about 30-35 minutes—keep an eye on it.

7. Let the bars cool all the way before you even think about frosting.

8. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until it’s nice and creamy.

9. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix again. Taste it if you want.

10. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Slice them up and serve—enjoy!