"Throughout most of the year, baking is typically something I only do for special occasions or when I need something shareable to bring to a gathering. But come fall, it turns into a full-blown hobby. It’s the activity I turn to when I want to romanticize a weeknight at home or when I’m feeling festive on a Sunday afternoon. Baking is the perfect fall activity in my mind: It’s something you can do at home that will quickly get you in a cozy mood, it’s free besides the cost of ingredients, and it leaves you with a delicious treat you can enjoy for days afterward. If you’re similarly interested in making baking your entire personality this fall, allow me to share some of my all-time favorite recipes. From pumpkin and apple to cinnamon and maple, these fall baking recipes feature all of this season’s best flavors.
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1. Pumpkin Bars
It’s simply not fall without a batch of pumpkin bars. This recipe turns out bars that are soft, moist, and perfectly spiced (that extra dash of pumpkin pie spice in the cream cheese frosting makes them extra special).
2. Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is an absolute classic, and it couldn’t be easier to make. This recipe requires just a handful of ingredients, and the most time-consuming part is peeling and slicing all the apples. Then you just dump everything into a baking dish and pop it in the oven.
3. Pumpkin Bread
You can eat pumpkin bread at all hours of the day and night (I often do) and it always hits. Pop a slice in the toaster before smearing on some butter for a tasty fall breakfast or a late-night snack.
4. Brown Butter Maple Blondies
I tried this recipe for the first time earlier this fall, and it may just be the best thing I’ve made in a long time. These blondies are perfectly chewy and have a rich, buttery flavor that is totally addicting.
5. Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
I often meal-prep a batch of these pumpkin muffins on a Sunday afternoon so I can enjoy yummy fall breakfasts throughout the week. You can also mix in some chopped pecans or chocolate chips for an added flavor boost.
6. Baked Apple Cider Donuts
It may be tradition to grab a package of apple cider donuts on your annual visit to the apple orchard, but this classic fall treat is actually pretty simple to make at home. Baking the batter in a donut pan makes this recipe way easier and less messy.
7. Soft Pumpkin Cookies
If you prefer cookies that are soft and cakey over crunchy and chewy, you’re going to love this recipe. And since you don’t have to chill the cookie dough, they’re easy to whip up on a whim when you’re craving something sweet and pumpkin-y.
8. Crusty Cranberry Nut No-Knead Bread
Not all fall baking recipes have to be super sweet and indulgent. This cranberry nut bread looks and tastes festive but doesn’t require any sugar. Try it toasted with butter for a quick breakfast, or use a couple of slices to make an epic fall grilled cheese.
9. Pecan Pie Bars
I could take or leave pumpkin pie, but a gooey slice of pecan pie is something I’ll never pass up. However, I’m not likely to make a pie crust from scratch, so this recipe that turns the classic dessert into cookie bars is much more my speed.
10. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
I’ll admit that baking cinnamon rolls from scratch is a labor of love, but the results are way better than anything that comes from a tube or pre-packaged at the grocery store. Made with pumpkin purée, classic fall spices, and a decadent maple cream cheese frosting, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are the ultimate fall treat.
11. Apple Turnovers
Turnovers are another fall treat that you’re more likely to buy at the store than make at home, but baking them from scratch makes for a fun challenge if you like to bake. And trust me, they’ll taste even better homemade.
12. Orange Cranberry Crisp
With all the flavors of cranberry sauce in a much tastier form, this fall dessert is the perfect thing to bring to your annual Friendsgiving gathering. It’s also gluten-free and vegan, so it’s perfect for sharing with anyone who has dietary restrictions.
13. Pumpkin Dump Cake
This may very well be the easiest recipe on this list, but it does not disappoint. All you have to do is mix up a pumpkin filling, pour it into a baking dish, then top the mixture with a store-bought cake mix, some butter, and chopped pecans. Everything magically bakes up into a warm, gooey, delicious fall dessert.
14. Cream Cheese Swirled Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Butter
If regular pumpkin bread is a little too plain for your tastes, this doctored-up version made with a cream cheese swirl and served with salted maple butter is a perfectly decadent alternative.
15. Caramel Apple Crisp Bars
These layered bars take traditional apple crisp up a notch with a brown sugar cookie crust and a homemade caramel sauce sandwiched in the middle.
16. Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Coffee cake always reminds me of family gatherings around the holidays, but you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to make it. This pumpkin version is perfect if you’re hosting guests this fall or if you just want to make your weekday breakfasts a little extra special.
17. Brown Butter Salted Caramel Snickerdoodles
I’m convinced that brown butter makes everything taste better, and these snickerdoodles—which also feature a surprise caramel center—are certainly no exception.
18. Cranberry Bliss Bars
While Cranberry Bliss Bars are technically a part of Starbucks’ holiday menu, they typically hit stores in early November, so this totally counts as a fall recipe. It’s the ideal treat if you want to make something cozy and festive but are tired of pumpkin spice.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She has nearly seven years of experience reviewing products, covering trends, and creating inspiring content around all things home.