Okay, so my oldest plays soccer, and every fall when the season kicks off, the team ends up doing a fall bake sale or two to help cover jerseys, tournaments, all that stuff.
Which means I’m in the kitchen the night before, trying to whip up something that looks cute enough for the table but can survive being stacked in a plastic container.
Half the time, I’m still pulling trays out of the oven while packing lunches for the next day.
The girls usually “help,” which means I have to guard the cooling rack like it’s a national treasure.
But there’s just something about fall bake sale ideas I love: the warm smells, cozy flavors, and a table full of treats that makes you want to grab one of everything!
Easy & Quick Fall Bake Sale Ideas
These fall treats and desserts are not only easy to make but make your house smell AMAZING!
I love this time of the year where I can make all of these delicious fall treats for a bake sale.
1. Pumpkin Cookies
Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar in a big bowl until it’s nice and creamy.
Add in pumpkin puree, an egg, and vanilla, then stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Drop spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 12–14 minutes until they look set.
Let them cool before moving so they don’t fall apart.
I like to sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top while they’re still warm.
2. Carrot Cake Cookies
Grate some fresh carrots until you’ve got about a cup and squeeze out any extra moisture with a paper towel.
Beat butter and sugar together, then mix in an egg and a splash of vanilla.
Stir in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and the carrots, plus some raisins or chopped walnuts if your kids like them.
Scoop onto a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Frost with cream cheese icing once they’re cooled.
3. Apple Cinnamon Cookies
Peel and dice an apple into tiny pieces so the chunks bake evenly.
Cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar, then beat in an egg and vanilla.
Mix in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg, folding in the apple pieces at the end.
Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes until golden around the edges.
I sometimes toss the apple pieces in cinnamon sugar first so the flavor really pops!
4. Salted Caramel Cookies
Start with your favorite basic cookie dough, then stir in chopped soft caramels.
Roll the dough into balls and flatten slightly before baking at 350°F for about 10–11 minutes.
While they’re still hot, sprinkle lightly with sea salt so it sticks.
If you’re tempted to taste test, let them cool just enough so the caramel doesn’t burn your mouth.
5. Pumpkin Spice Cake Pops
Bake a pumpkin spice cake mix according to the box directions and let it cool completely.
Crumble the cake into fine crumbs and mix with just enough cream cheese frosting to make it stick together.
Roll into small balls and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
Insert lollipop sticks, then dip in melted white chocolate or candy melts and add sprinkles before the coating sets.
Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
6. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
I love these pumpkin cream cheese muffins so much sometimes I tuck away a couple for my morning coffee.
Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, and vanilla, then combine the two until just mixed.
For the filling, beat softened cream cheese with sugar and a bit of vanilla until smooth.
Fill muffin cups halfway with batter, add a spoonful of cream cheese, then cover with more batter.
Bake at 350°F for about 20–22 minutes until the tops spring back.
7. Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Peel and dice two apples, then toss with a little cinnamon and sugar.
Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in one bowl, and in another, beat eggs, sugar, milk, and melted butter.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then fold in the apple pieces.
Spoon the batter into muffin liners and bake at 375°F for about 18 minutes.
You can sprinkle a bit of coarse sugar on top before baking for that bakery-style crunch.
8. Maple Banana Muffins
Mash three ripe bananas until smooth, then whisk in eggs, melted butter, and maple syrup.
In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then mix into the banana mixture until just combined.
Fill muffin tins and bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.
These smell so good that my kids usually come sniffing around the oven before they’re done!
A drizzle of extra maple syrup when they’re warm makes them even better.
9. Candy Apples
Wash and dry firm apples, then stick wooden skewers into the tops.
Heat sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan until it reaches the hard crack stage, then stir in red food coloring.
Carefully dip each apple, letting the excess drip off before setting it on a greased baking sheet.
If you want to be extra, roll them in crushed cookies or sprinkles before the coating sets.
This part is messy, so I line my counter with parchment first!
10. Mini Apple Pies
Peel and dice apples, then cook them in a pan with butter, cinnamon, and sugar until slightly softened.
Roll out pie dough and cut circles to fit into a muffin tin.
Fill each with the apple mixture, then top with small dough cutouts or lattice strips.
Brush with an egg wash and bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes until golden brown.
11. Mini Pumpkin Pies
Whisk pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and evaporated milk until smooth.
Cut pie crust into circles and press into a muffin tin.
Fill each with the pumpkin mixture, leaving a little space at the top.
Bake at 350°F for about 20–22 minutes until the centers are set.
Check out my homemade pumpkin pie recipe here!
12. Mini Pecan Pies
Stir together chopped pecans, brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a bowl.
Line a muffin tin with pie crust circles and fill each with the pecan mixture.
Bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes until the tops are set and glossy.
Let them cool before removing so the filling doesn’t spill out.
13. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Unroll refrigerated cinnamon roll dough and spread with a thin layer of pumpkin puree mixed with brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
Roll the dough back up and slice into even pieces.
Place in a baking dish and bake according to the package directions.
Drizzle with the icing that comes in the tube while still warm.
If I’m feeling extra adventurous, I add a cream cheese glaze instead!
14. Salted Caramel Squares
Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan, then stir in sweetened condensed milk until thick and golden.
Pour over a layer of graham cracker crumbs in a baking dish.
Sprinkle with sea salt, then top with melted chocolate and smooth it out.
Chill until set, then cut into squares.
Pro tip: line the pan with parchment so cleanup is easy.
15. Brown Sugar Maple Squares
Mix melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla in a bowl.
Stir in flour and baking powder until just combined.
Pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for about 25–28 minutes.
Let them cool completely before cutting so they hold their shape.
You can sift a little powdered sugar on top for looks.
16. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Melt chocolate chips or candy melts in the microwave in short bursts until smooth.
Dip pretzel rods or twists halfway, letting the excess drip off.
Lay them on wax paper and add sprinkles or crushed candy before the chocolate sets.
Chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes to firm up.
I usually make a mix of white and milk chocolate so the platter looks more fun!
17. Apple Crisp Bars
Mix diced apples with cinnamon, sugar, and a bit of flour, then set aside.
In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter until crumbly.
Press half the oat mixture into a greased baking dish, spread the apples over top, then sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture.
Bake at 350°F for about 35 minutes until golden.
Let them cool before cutting so they don’t fall apart.
18. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Make a graham cracker crust by mixing crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, then press into a baking dish.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth, then set aside half the mixture.
Stir pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice into the other half, then pour the plain cheesecake layer over the crust, followed by the pumpkin layer.
Swirl gently with a knife and bake at 325°F for about 40 minutes.
Cool completely before slicing into bars.
19. Caramel Butter Bars
Cream butter and sugar together, then mix in vanilla and flour until you have a soft dough.
Press half into a greased baking dish, then spread a layer of caramel sauce over top.
Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel and bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes until lightly golden.
Cool before cutting so the caramel stays put.
20. S’mores Cookie Bars
Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press into a baking dish.
Spread cookie dough over top, then sprinkle with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Bake at 350°F until the marshmallows are golden and the cookie layer is set, about 20–22 minutes.
Let them cool a bit before slicing so the marshmallows don’t stick to your knife.
These smell amazing right out of the oven!
21. No-Bake Pumpkin Balls
Stir together pumpkin puree, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and a little cream cheese until the mixture holds together.
Roll into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
Chill for 30 minutes, then dip in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Let them set in the fridge until firm.
22. Caramel Apple Dessert Cups
Dice apples and cook them with butter, cinnamon, and sugar until tender.
Layer crushed graham crackers in small cups, then spoon in the warm apples and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Add a layer of whipped cream, then repeat until the cups are full.
Top with more caramel and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
These look so pretty in clear plastic cups for bake sales!
23. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bread
Mix flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in one bowl.
In another, beat pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, and oil, then combine the two.
For the cheesecake swirl, blend softened cream cheese, sugar, and an egg until smooth.
Pour half the pumpkin batter into a loaf pan, spread the cheesecake mixture over it, then top with the remaining batter.
Bake at 350°F for about 55 minutes, checking with a toothpick.
24. Apple Cider Whoopie Pies
Beat butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together, then mix in eggs, vanilla, and apple cider concentrate.
Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined.
Drop spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 10–12 minutes.
Once cooled, sandwich two cookies together with cream cheese frosting.
I sometimes add a pinch of cinnamon to the frosting for some fall flavor.
25. Fall Snack Mix
Combine pretzels, candy corn, mini marshmallows, and roasted pumpkin seeds in a big bowl.
Melt white chocolate and pour it over, stirring to coat everything evenly.
Spread onto wax paper and let it set before breaking into chunks.
Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Sweet Ways to Score Big at the Bake Sale
Fall bake sales are kind of my favorite chaos!
The trick is finding treats that look good on the table, hold up during transport, and still taste amazing a few hours later.
Pick one or two recipes you know will be easy for you, and then add something fun just for the wow factor.
Wrap everything in clear bags or pop them into cupcake liners so they’re ready to grab and go!
