Oh, fall in Texas. We pull on sweaters even when it’s 85 degrees, decorate with all the shades of autumn leaves (since ours stay stubbornly green), and start planning Halloween in September. And don’t even get me started on the candles. But without a doubt, my favorite part of the season is baking. Every year, I dive into a new round of fall baking recipes—and this season’s lineup might be the coziest yet.
From spiced snack cakes to boozy crisps, these treats turn simple afternoons into rituals worth savoring. There’s nothing like the moment pumpkin, spice, and butter hit the oven, filling the kitchen with that unmistakable fall fragrance. And while the classics are covered, seasonal stars like sweet potatoes, figs, and maple make these recipes extra special. Scroll on for the fall desserts I can’t wait to bake this year.
20 Fall Baking Recipes to Embrace the Cozy Season
Pumpkin Loaf Cake
This recipe goes triple platinum in my house during fall. With the crunchy walnut and cream cheese frosting topping, it’s big on the pumpkin flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Cardamom Frangipane Pear Tart
This cardamom-pear frangipane tart feels like a warm hug in pastry form. The tender pears nestle atop a softly spiced almond base, all crowned by a crisp, golden crust. With each bite, you’ll taste floral sweetness from cardamom, a hint of citrus from marmalade, and a delicate crunch of almonds that makes it as charming as it is comforting.
Healthy Apple Crumble
This healthy apple crumble delivers all the nostalgic comfort of autumn—spiced with pumpkin-pie blend and sweet, tender apples—while staying light and easy to love. Topped with a wholesome oat-and-almond-flour crumble, it’s a make-ahead treat that fills your kitchen with cozy, cinnamony aroma without feeling too indulgent.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars
These no-bake pumpkin pie bars bring all the spiced, cozy flavors of pumpkin pie—without ever having to turn on the oven—making them a genius addition to your fall baking lineup. Creamy, mousse-like pumpkin filling rests atop a nutty, brown-butter graham-cracker crust, delivering comforting autumn sweetness with zero oven fuss.
Maple Pecan Pie
Maple syrup adds sweetness, and pecans bring the crunch—this pie is one you don’t want to skip out on this fall. Bonus: decorative leaf cutouts for the crust make it as beautiful as it tastes.
Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits
These flaky sour cream and onion biscuits may not lean on pumpkin or spice, but they’re downright cozy. Imagine tangy green onions, rich sour cream, and melted cheddar wrapped in light, buttery layers that warm the kitchen with their golden aroma. They may not scream ‘fall ingredients,’ but they’ve got all the comfort-season charm you didn’t know you needed.”
Cinnamon Baked Apples
Nothing says fall like the arrival of crisp, sweet apples at the local market. Baked apples offer up all of apple pie’s beloved flavor and comfort, but with only a fraction of the effort, and in the case of this recipe, sans refined sugars or wheat flour. WIN!
Butternut Squash and Ricotta Tart
This butternut squash and ricotta tart is like autumn transformed into a savory centerpiece—layering caramel-kissed squash, sweet potato, apples, and onion on a bed of herbed ricotta, all resting in a buttery, flaky crust. It’s effortless yet elegant, with a flower-like arrangement that feels more like edible art than dinner.
Spiced Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Naturally dairy-free, yet indulgent, this spiced sweet potato cake is perfect for kicking off the fall season, paired with a warm latte or your favorite tea. You can even swap sweet potato for pumpkin puree if whimsy calls.
Pumpkin Snack Cake
Imagine pumpkin season wrapped up in a small, bite-sized treat. A streusel-topped, tender crumb that blurs the line between breakfast and dessert, all dusted in a soft snowfall of sweet powdered sugar.
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars
All the joy of pecan pie, no crust required. These bars combine a buttery shortbread base with a vibrant, chocolate-bourbon-spiked filling. This is the elevated dessert I love bringing out at the end of my fall get-togethers.
Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies
If cookies and pumpkin bread had a baby, it would probably look something like these soft and chewy pumpkin spice cookies. Topped with a sweet glaze and made in one bowl with pantry staples, they’re perfect whenever pumpkin cravings hit.
Brown Butter Bourbon Apple Crisp
Whether it’s enjoyed as your weekend brunch or evening treat, this crisp is the recipe you’ll want to enjoy with a spoon and a snuggly blanket. It’s buttery, a little boozy, and loaded with apples that melt into the sweet sauce.
Classic Buttermilk Pie Recipe
Here in the South, this creamy and custardy treat is a staple for Fall gatherings. With just a hint of tang from buttermilk, it’s airy and elegant—and yes, store-bought crust is totally welcome.
Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust
There’s been plenty of debate in my household around who has the best pumpkin pie recipe, but after Camille introduced me to this one a couple of years back, it’s safe to say I’ll take the crown from now on. The spiced gingersnap crust is what truly takes center stage.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Browned butter, a hint of pumpkin, chocolate chunks, and just the right amount of spice—these cookies are your fall baking MVP. They’re not too thin, still chewy, and perfect with hot cider or fuzzy socks.
Mini Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls
Tiny rolls can still pack a punch when it comes to flavor. Cardamom meets classic cinnamon in a bite-sized swirl. They’re part festive treat that makes any fall baking endeavor just a bit sweeter.
Maple Molasses Donuts
When the season arrives when we can use our ovens happily without sweating, the baking sheets come out, and fall flavors enter my kitchen. These donuts are the perfect transitional breakfast treat that saves you the trip to the donut shop.
Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffins
There’s no better treat for a chilly morning or a cozy afternoon. Endlessly customizable and packed with nourishing ingredients, this recipe is every bit as comforting as your favorite baked treat. Think of it as an autumn art project for the kitchen.
Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
This make-ahead breakfast delivers all the flavors of apple pie, with tender apples, crunchy walnuts, and hearty oats baked in warm cinnamon sugar. It’s simple to prepare, nourishing enough for busy mornings, and cozy enough to feel like a special treat.
