31 Fall Cake Recipes You'll Love After Just One Bite (2024)

Sheet-Pan Shortcake with Mascarpone Cream and Pears

Most every home cook knows, and likely loves, a good sheet-pan dinner. Keep that easy-to-clean pan handy for this fall cake idea. It's the perfect vessel to allow for ample decorating space atop the tender buttermilk batter. Oh yes, about that decoration: It's an irresistible combo of cloud-like mascarpone cream, cardamom-honey pears, and sweet-tart pomegranate seeds.

Caramel Apple Poke Cake

Here's a fall cake recipe that can be baked to perfection in a loaf pan. With apple pieces, apple butter, and plenty of vanilla infusing the batter, a luscious dulce de leche stream running through the center, plus a fluffy homemade frosting crowing it all, you won't feel like you're missing a thing.

Apple Sheet Cake

Showcasing fresh apples, dried apples, and apple butter all in one masterpiece, this fall sheet cake is loaded with sweet harvest goodness. It's the perfect vehicle to put your autumn apple haul to use. To stick with the seasonal theme, finish the treat with apple slices, a dash of cinnamon, and a generous shower of maple syrup-infused frosting.

Sweet Potato-Chocolate Pound Cake

Sweet potato casseroles, fries, and soups are a sure sign of the transition from summer to fall. Allow us to add this easy, fabulous fall cake recipe to your list of must-make spud dishes. Bittersweet chocolate complements the sweet potatoes beautifully, while sour cream makes each crumb remarkably moist. If you, too, crave all things sweet-and-salty, don't skip the flaky sea salt on top.

Hazelnut Truffle Cake

Savor triple the nutty flavor in this fall cake recipe. Hazelnut liqueur, chocolate-hazelnut spread, and finely ground hazelnuts find a home in this showy fall birthday cake recipe. Top with an easy whipped cream frosting, a hazelnut-chocolate drizzle, and extra nuts for a photo-worthy finish.

Pumpkin Cake Roll

Celebrate the season with a fall-themed cake that's sure to impress. One BH&G reader says, "I made this for the first time ever last week and it was all gone by the very next day! This recipe is soooo easy and it tastes amazing!" While the cake roll looks elegant, it's surprisingly easy to pull together; we'll talk you through every step of the way.

Caramel Spice Cake

You'll feel like you're ready for a food TV show after you plate this drippy, decadent caramel dessert. Pumpkin pie spice, toasted pecans, a simple DIY cream cheese frosting, and a generous dose of caramel ice cream topping load this dessert with all the best fall cake flavors.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Mascarpone Cream Filling

This may not technically count as an official fall "cake" recipe since they're mini. But thanks to how much flavor is packed into every crumb, we think these cupcakes are worthy of a shout-out. The canned pumpkin cupcakes get even better once they're dressed up with a double dose of spiced mascarpone frosting (stuffed in the center and slathered on top).

Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake with Sugared Pepitas

Come holidays (or any days, really) we're wild about this silky fall-color cake. It offers the best of pumpkin pie and cake all at once. Plus this pumpkin cheesecake is loaded with fall spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, then topped with sugared pumpkin seeds. We'll take a slice … or two.

Caramelized Pear Skillet Cake

If you're seeking fall cake decorating ideas that feel more grown-up than frosting and sprinkles, might we recommend a boozy and over-the-top tasty bourbon sauce? That's exactly what you see dripping down the edges of this pretty pear cake. Cook the nicely-spiced batter over halved pears nestled into said sauce, then flip it onto a serving platter to reveal the ooey-gooey treat—all set to slice and serve.

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

This light-as-air pumpkin angel food cake will satisfy any sweet tooth. Full of canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice, this semi-homemade fall cake idea definitely takes box cake mix to the next level.

Dulce de Leche Cake

If you need fall cake decorations inspiration, check out the ooey-gooey caramel drizzle and whipped cream frosting topping this moist cake. The showy swirls are almost as craveable as the dressed-up citrus-spiked cake hiding underneath. Add a few sprinkles of fresh orange peel to the fall cake for a hint of unexpected brightness.

Graham Cracker Cake

Graham crackers are good in s'mores desserts, sure. But they're great in a fall birthday cake recipe that's moist, nostalgic, and stuffed with cream filling! Top with a simple seven-minute brown sugar frosting for the perfect treat both adults and kids will fall for.

Gingerbread Cake Roll

Although you might hear of "gingerbread" and think "Christmas," we've given the cookie flavor an autumnal makeover with maple and nutty notes. Layer slightly-spiced gingerbread with a mildly-sweet almond pastry cream. Then after tucking those together into one fantastic fall cake roll, drizzle it all with a simple maple glaze and sprinkle on almonds for an extra layer of sweet and seasonal flavor.

Molasses Spice Cake

Think of this lovely layered creation like a gingersnap cookie in tender, supersized, fruit-topped cake fashion. It's proof that fall cake flavors don't have to be limited to apples and cinnamon. Instead, top off a molasses spice cake with blueberries (frozen will work wonderfully) and lemon zest.

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cake

If you're not a frosting fan, we still have plenty of pretty fall cake ideas for you. No frosting is needed for this fruity fall cake. This cake essentially decorates itself—simply invert the impressive cast-iron dessert to reveal the stunning fall colors of caramel, apples, and cranberries.

Chocolaty Harvest Fruit-Topped Cake

Brimming with warm spices and seasonal produce like pumpkin and apple, this flavorful fall-themed cake is ideal for cool weather. Bonus: Slices of fruit and caramel on top make a wowing finish.

Test Kitchen Tip: If you're lucky enough to have extra harvest fruit topping, try it on top of pancakes, waffles, or a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast the next morning.

White Chocolate Layer Cake with Cranberry Filling

Sure, this might look like a standard white layer cake, but just wait until you slice inside to reveal the lovely ruby-hued filling. Rich white chocolate is just the right match for tart cranberries in this fall cake masterpiece. Other seasonal flavors like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger create a sweet-and-spicy bite.

Apple Cake with Buttery Caramel Sauce

Looking for a new family favorite? Drizzle buttery caramel sauce over a classic fall cake made with cinnamon, walnuts, and apples. It's like everything you love about caramel apples and cake mashed-up into one cozy dessert.

Marbleous Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Glaze

While this might look like a classic marble cake, it's actually hiding a candy-inspired surprise. Just like those beloved peanut butter cups, the cake is swirled with equal parts chocolate and peanut butter batter. A salted caramel glaze takes this decadent fall cake recipe over the top.

Dark Cocoa Buttermilk Cake with Cocoa Mascarpone Frosting

We're depending on the recipe name to hook you on this fall cake idea. Just consider: A dark, rich cocoa cake underneath a creamy chocolate-tinged mascarpone alongside a warm cup of joe. Your chilly fall evening just got better, didn't it?

Ginger Carrot Cake

Freshly grated ginger adds a delightful twist to this beloved moist and fluffy carrot cake recipe. Bonus: This isn't just a fall cake recipe—the well-balanced blend of flavors and the sturdiness of carrots makes the classic dessert perfect for any season. (We highly recommend tossing in a handful of toasted walnuts, especially when you're craving something a little heartier as the temperatures dip.)

Persimmon Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Dress up a box of yellow cake mix with fall favorites like cinnamon, nutmeg, and persimmons. There's no need to track down fresh persimmons, this recipe is made with dried fruit that's been rehydrated in water. Finish this fall cake recipe with a luscious cream cheese frosting.

French Yogurt Cake with Apricot-Cherry Compote

The key to this cake's ultra-moist texture? French-style yogurt. It's made by letting milk and yogurt cultures ferment right in the jar. Top it off with a fruit compote that's flavored with white wine and lemon.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Part cake, part cobbler, this easy fall dessert idea is ready with just 5 minutes of prep. It's as easy as layering ingredients in a baking dish. If you love the idea of this easy dessert but want more options, check out more dump cake recipes.

Cranberry-Buttermilk Pound Cake

You're looking at our new go-to Thanksgiving dessert. In addition to fresh cranberries in the batter, we're serving this dessert with fresh cranberry sauce. It's a great way to use up leftover sauce.

Pumpkin Tiramisu Layer Cake

If you count down the days until Pumpkin Spice Latte season, this is the fall cake recipe for you. To start, whip up a homemade pumpkin spice cake. Then, drizzle the layers with a hazelnut coffee syrup. Finish the cake with a fluffy maple mascarpone cream.

Apple-Maple Spice Cake

Apples are at their best in fall and this cake puts the seasonal harvest to good use. But not all apples will work in this Bundt cake! Choose fresh gala or Granny Smith apples for the best texture and flavor.

Carrot Snack Cake

This snack cake is the perfect recipe for any time you need a sweet treat. All the familiar carrot cake flavors are there including cinnamon, orange zest, nutmeg, and walnuts. Finish the sheet cake off with an orange cream cheese frosting.

Cinnamon-Pecan Dump Cake

This fall cake idea "bakes" to perfection in your slow cooker! It's a hands-off way to whip up a quick and delicious dessert. Drizzle the finished cake with rich dulce de leche.

Toffee Pumpkin Snack Cake

For added texture, this pumpkin cake is made using whole wheat flour and seeds like flax, help, or chia. For extra sweetness, toss in toffee pieces and drizzle with cream cheese icing.