From spiced pumpkin Bundts to apple and pear-filled cakes, these fall cake ideas celebrate the autumn season in every bite.
1/30
Apple Pie Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
2/30
Pumpkin Spice Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
We sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake “Thanksgiving Cake” because it’s a tasty alternative to pie, but we don’t relegate it to just that holiday. I think you’ll agree it’s delicious any time of the year.— Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio
Celebrate your special day and the season with these fall birthday cake recipes.
3/30
Piecaken
From the Recipe Creator:
Why fight over whether cake or pie is better when you can combine the two to make this chocolate pecan piecaken recipe? —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
4/30
Apple-Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California
5/30
Pumpkin Crunch Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My deliciously spiced pumpkin cake has a built-in crunchy topping created with cake mix, chopped pecans and a drizzle of butter. It's a comforting fall treat to cozy up to time and again! —Cathy Trochelman, Brookfield, Wisconsin
6/30
Chai Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll get a double dose of the spicy blend that's frequently used to flavor tea in these tender single-size cakes. Both the cupcake and frosting use the sweet blend of spices. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
7/30
Maple Walnut Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors beloved my grandpa, who made maple syrup when I was a child. It honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
8/30
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This pumpkin bundt cake recipe is perfect for fall. As it bakes, the aroma fills the house with a spicy scent. —Virginia Loew, Leesburg, Florida
9/30
Turkey Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Create a simple centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dessert table. The cake comes together fast with the help of a mix, and melted candy coating keeps decorating easy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/30
Hot Chocolate Pumpkin Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Hot chocolate is my go-to winter indulgence. To go with it, I like this moist pumpkin cake dusted with cocoa for an extra chocolate boost. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
11/30
Apfelkuchen
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to 'Grandma’s apple cake.' They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio
12/30
Pumpkin Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This pumpkin cake is packed with a warm, seasonal taste from ground cinnamon and pumpkin, bits of crunchy pecans and a rich cream cheese frosting. The flavors combine for a cozy, sweet treat you'll want to have year-round. —Leon Dellinger, Elwood, Indiana
13/30
Thanksgiving Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Try out this Thanksgiving cake! You'll be glad you did—it will conjure up a host of smiles during your holiday dinner. —Carole Lajeunesse, Aurora, Colorado
14/30
Easy Apple Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
After testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, I found this old-fashioned easy apple cake that is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it's quick to fix, and when it's served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, it's one of my family’s very favorites. —Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio
15/30
Rich Cranberry Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When our children come home during the fall or the holiday season, I make sure to bake this coffee cake. I always use fresh berries in season, then put a few bags in the freezer for later on. That way, we can enjoy this moist cake anytime we want! —Mildred Schwartzentruber, Tavistock, Ontario
16/30
Pumpkin Pie Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
No one will guess this showstopper dessert with luscious cinnamon frosting starts with a mix! It's a year-round favorite. —Linda Murray, Allenstown, New Hampshire
17/30
Pear Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When pears are in season, I love to make this family favorite. It's moist and keeps well, and makes a wonderful dessert as well as a breakfast or brunch cake. —Frances Lanier, Metter, Georgia
18/30
Pumpkin Chip Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I love these cupcakes that are loaded with chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. My mom makes them for dessert on special occasions or for a sweet autumn snack. —Jacinta Ransom, South Haven, Michigan
19/30
Jewish Apple Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend from New Hampshire gave me this Jewish apple cake recipe, which took a blue ribbon at the county fair. —Jennie Wilburn, Long Creek, Oregon
20/30
Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these pumpkin treats every autumn and they are gone in minutes. The spice combination is perfect for fall, and it is all wrapped up in a pretty little cake. —Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania
21/30
French Apple Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Dark rum adds richness to the natural flavor of apples in this homey and delicate cake. Serve with a fresh-brewed cup of coffee for a simply wonderful afternoon treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
22/30
Pumpkin Snack Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
The crunchy, sweet topping makes this simple pumpkin snack cake taste extra special. If you prefer a sweeter cake, omit the topping and spread with your favorite frosting instead. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
23/30
Pecan Banana Bundt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter, Liz, often made this banana bundt cake for us. It was delicious and different. She discovered five-spice powder during a culinary class field trip and I think it’s great for fall cakes! —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
24/30
Sweet Potato Pound Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Since we are originally from Texas, we naturally love sweet potatoes, but this sweet potato cake deserves to be a tradition in any home, whether you’re from the South, East, North or West. My Montana husband rancher loves it and I get great reviews from ladies I’ve treated with it at various social events. — Diane Mannix, Helmville, Montana
25/30
Dead Velvet Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I made this recipe with my grandma's delicious from-scratch Red Devil's Food Cake. Grandma's cake takes a little longer to prepare than a cake mix, but one bite will tell you it was worth it! The 'bloody' glaze makes for a dramatic presentation and is a fun way to serve it for Halloween. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
26/30
Butter Pecan Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the ever-popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida
27/30
Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Cornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
28/30
Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel Icing
From the Recipe Creator:
I found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because you have to work quickly, but it's so worth it! —Mariann James, Ferguson, Missouri
29/30
Spiced Devil's Food Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my mom's friends gave her this recipe when I was a child, and it has been a family favorite ever since. When your chocolate sweet tooth acts up, this really hits the spot! —Linda Yeamans, Ashland, Oregon
30/30
Cinnamon Twirl Roly-Poly
From the Recipe Creator:
My whole house smells incredible when this cake is in the oven. Change it up with other extracts—maple is heavenly. —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Fall Cake Ideas FAQ
What flavors are best for fall cakes?
Classic flavors that capture the essence of fall include warm spices, like cinnamon and ginger, pumpkin, apples, maple, cranberries and pears. These flavors represent all the stages of the season, so you can enjoy them from early autumn apple picking through pumpkin-laden Thanksgiving. Caramel, molasses and toasted nuts are great additions that make the cakes extra autumnal.
What are simple decorating ideas for fall-themed cakes?
You can dress up fall-themed cakes with caramel or white chocolate drizzles, candied pecans or festive sprinkles. For extra flair, add edible flowers in autumn colors or dust cakes with powdered sugar for a “first frost” look. Around Halloween, try playful spooky decorations, like marshmallow spider webs or pumpkin-shaped candies.
How do I store fall cakes to keep them fresh?
You can store your autumn cakes in airtight containers at room temperature for three to seven days, and they will still be fresh, although dense pound cakes are best only up to four days. If the cake includes creamy fillings or dairy-based frostings, like cream cheese frosting, refrigerate it, well wrapped, for 7 to 10 days. For longer storage, wrap whole cakes or slices tightly and freeze them in freezer-safe containers for six to eight months.
