Dessert

17 Cozy Recipes to Kickstart Fall Baking

Pumpkin everything, please.

By Rachelle Shuttlesworth
Pumpkin pie

Oh, fall in Austin. We wear sweaters even when we’re sweating, decorate with all the shades of autumn leaves (since ours don’t really turn), and start planning Halloween in September. And don’t get me started on the candles. But without a doubt, the thing I love most about fall is the baking. Since I’ve started my annual internet search for all the new fall baking recipes I’ll be making, I figured I should share a roundup of the ones that are making me most excited for the coming season.

From pumpkin pies and apple crisps to cinnamon rolls and gooey cookies, there’s a little something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. There’s nothing quite like that moment when pumpkin and cinnamon hit the oven and the entire house is enveloped in the rich, warm scents of the season. And aside from these classics, there are quite a few other seasonal ingredients that make fall baking an absolute delight. Apples, figs, and pomegranates, galore! Let us know in the comments what you’re most excited about baking this month.

17 Fall Baking Recipes to Embrace the Cozy Season

Autumn-Spiced Stuffed Baked Apples

Why we love it: 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!

Hero ingredient: Maple syrup adds a light, seasonally appropriate dose of sweetness.

Get the recipe here.

Healthy Pumpkin Ginger Bread from Half Baked Harvest

Why we love it: Is there anything better than super moist and delicious pumpkin gingerbread? This recipe uses healthy additions like applesauce, maple syrup, whole wheat flour, and pomegranate seeds. It’s big on the pumpkin flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Hero ingredient: The perfect blend of fall spices: ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Get the recipe here.

apple cranberry hand pie

Rustic Cranberry Apple Hand Pies from Displaced Housewife

Why we love it: Crust lovers, rejoice! This is the hand pie for you. It’s perfectly flakey and bronzed with a lusciously sweet and tart filling.

Hero ingredient: Few things can top the sparkling sugar crunch.

Get the recipe here.

Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls from Minimalist Baker

Why we love it: Those with dietary restrictions will be thrilled to enjoy vegan cinnamon rolls, and those without restrictions won’t even realize they are dairy-free! All you need is one bowl and 10 ingredients and you’re all set. They’re warm, gooey, tender, and perfectly pumpkin-y.

Hero ingredient: The easy powdered sugar glaze offsets the spiciness of the pumpkin flavor perfectly

Get the recipe here.

Apple Cider Donuts from Damn Delicious

Why we love it: You can’t go wrong with deep-fried donuts that are smothered in cinnamon sugar. Need we say more?

Hero ingredient: We’re nothing without some delicious apple cider, and if you can get it fresh, even better!

Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Seed Cookies from Bon Appétit

Why we love it: These cookies have a chewy, brownie, like texture that is decadently rich and is juxtaposed perfectly with the warming spices.

Hero ingredient: We are living for the lovely crunch of the pumpkin seeds.

Get the recipe here.

Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffins

Why we love it: There’s no better treat for a chilly morning or cozy afternoon. It’s a super customizable recipe that is loaded with nutritious ingredients but is as comforting as any baked goodies. Think of it as an autumn art project in the kitchen.

Hero ingredient: Apricots are a lovely unexpected treat.

Get the recipe here.

Salted Caramel Apple Galette from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Why we love it: This indulgent and absolutely delicious galette is as tasty as pie but much easier to make. It’s the perfect low-maintenance fall dessert.

Hero ingredient: A drizzle of salted caramel tops it all off.

Get the recipe here.

Why we love it: This is a dense, gooey, delicious cake that is topped with the lightest, fluffiest meringue you could possibly imagine. It perfectly complements the richness of the cake.

Hero ingredient: Speculoos cookie butter gives it a bit of spice.

Get the recipe here.

Sweet Potato Pie Bars from From My Bowl

Why we love it: These bars are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, oil-free, vegan, and incredibly easy to make with only nine nutritious ingredients. As if that wasn’t good enough, they couldn’t be tastier. They hold their shape really well, making them the ideal party food, even if it’s a party of one.

Hero ingredient: Pumpkin pie spice, of course!

Get the recipe here.

Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal

Why we love it: It’s an easy, make-ahead breakfast that tastes like apple pie thanks to apples, walnuts, and oats baked in cinnamon sugar. and

Hero ingredient: This autumnal recipe is all about the apples.

Get the recipe here.

rosemary and apple zucchini bread

Rosemary and Apple Zucchini Bread With Ginger

Why we love it: Put a spin on morning glory muffin flavors with this herbaceous gluten- and dairy-free zucchini bread. It’s the epitome of comforting homemade baking. It’s full of nourishing whole ingredients with a whole lot of delicious flavor.

Hero ingredient: Rosemary adds an unexpected herbal element.

Get the recipe here.

white chocolate pumpkin scones

White Chocolate Pumpkin Scones With Espresso Glaze from Half Baked Harvest

Why we love it: Elevate your everyday scone with these pumpkin-y, buttery, flaky, and soft scones from Half Baked Harvest. It’s basically a pumpkin since latte in scone form. Perfection!

Hero ingredient: A delectable espresso maple glaze.

Get the recipe here.

apple blondies with almond streusel

Apple Blondies With Cinnamon Almond Streusel from Foodie Crush

Why we love it: The rich blondies texture goes perfectly with the slight crunch from the streusel, and the flavor cannot be topped. It’s a 10/10 fall recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Hero ingredient: Almonds.

Get the recipe here.

pumpkin spice latte coffee cake

Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee Cake from Joyful Healthy Eats

Why we love it: Few things can top a perfectly moist coffee cake, and the addition of pumpkin spice flavor and a hint of espresso gives it an elevated, comforting flavor.

Hero ingredient: Brewed coffee swirls through every delicious bite.

Get the recipe here.

apple cider cake

Apple Cider Cake With Maple Mascarpone Frosting from Sugar Salted

Why we love it: Add a bit of wow factor to your next fall baking recipe with this glorious cake. It tastes as good as it looks! It tastes like a mixture of apple strudel and sweet mascarpone and is packed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, which give it an incredible smell.

Hero ingredient: This recipe rocks both applesauce and apple cider in the batter. Oh. my. goodness.

Get the recipe here.

cinnamon spiced apple fritters

Cinnamon Spiced Apple Fritters With Vanilla Coffee Glaze from Half Baked Harvest

Why we love it: Treat yourself to these delicious and easy fall treats. It’s the best thing you could possibly make with your post-apple picking haul. WE can’t get enough of these honey crisp apples mixed into a light batter full of lush fall spices.

Hero ingredient: A sweet vanilla coffee glaze.

Get the recipe here.

Comments (2)

  1. Jessica Camerata says:

    Those sweet potato pie bars look delicious. I’m all about the pumpkin bread though and think I need to try that healthy ginger version!

    xo Jessica
    My Style Vita

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