Fall is FINALLY here!
And when the weather gets cooler, its time to turn on the oven.
I know I’m ready for the cozy scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin spice and all the other yummy treats that come with the season.
I don’t know, I just love baking in the fall!
Between family get-togethers and bake sales for my daughter’s soccer team, I always manage to find a reason.
And I’m always on the lookout for recipes that don’t take hours to make.
So here’s a collection of my faves that are perfect for busy households and bring on the fall vibes:
Simple & Easy Fall Baking (to Make You Look Like a Pro Baker)
The best part about these fall recipes is they look way more complicated than they actually are.
Your friends and family will think you spent hours creating these gorgeous seasonal treats when in reality many can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
1. Delicious Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
These pumpkin cream cheese muffins have a little surprise in every bite, with soft pumpkin cake and a creamy middle.
All you need to do is whisk together a can of pumpkin, some sugar, eggs, and flour, then spoon half the batter into muffin cups.
Drop a spoonful of sweetened cream cheese in the center and cover it with more pumpkin batter.
Bake until they puff up golden and smell amazing.
Let them cool a bit before peeling the wrappers off so the filling stays put.
2. Easy & Fun Peanut Butter and Jam Cookies
Take your regular peanut butter cookie dough, roll it into balls, and press a thumb right in the center.
Fill each one with a little dollop of strawberry or grape jam and bake until the edges are just set.
The jam bubbles a bit in the oven and makes the cookies shiny and gooey in the middle.
I like to use parchment paper so the jam doesn’t stick to the pan.
Cool them on the tray for a couple of minutes before moving them.
3. Grandma’s Amazing Lemon Squares
Start with a simple shortbread crust made with flour, butter, and sugar pressed into a baking dish.
While that bakes, whisk eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and a touch of flour for the topping.
Pour it over the warm crust and bake again until it’s just set in the middle.
Dust the top with powdered sugar once it cools, otherwise it melts right in.
Cut into squares with a sharp knife so the edges don’t crumble.
4. Rolo Pretzel Turkeys for a Sweet Thanksgiving Treat
This one is super easy and super cute for classroom parties or afterschool snacks!
Lay out mini pretzels on a baking sheet, place a Rolo candy on each, and warm them in the oven until the chocolate softens.
Press three candy corns into the top for the tail feathers and add candy eyes if you have them.
My youngest always sneaks a few pieces before they even make it to the tray, so I grab extras just in case.
Let them harden before moving so the decorations stay put.
5. Best Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
To make these cookies, start by creaming together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until it’s fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
Stir in oats, flour, baking soda, and a pinch of cinnamon. Fold in raisins or chocolate chips depending on what your crew likes.
Bake until the edges are golden but the centers still look a little soft.
Leave them on the baking sheet for a couple minutes so they finish setting before you grab one.
6. Pumpkin Cookies
Mix canned pumpkin, sugar, eggs, and oil with flour, baking soda, and pumpkin spice for an easy dough.
Drop spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet and bake until they’re fluffy and just barely turning golden underneath.
These are more cakey than chewy, which makes them perfect with cream cheese frosting.
I like to sprinkle a bit of cinnamon sugar on top while the frosting is still soft.
Store them in the fridge if you want the frosting to stay firm.
7. Classic Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is super easy to make (and beats out store bought any day)!
Whisk together some pumpkin puree with sugar, eggs, and evaporated milk.
Make sure you add in a good shake of pumpkin pie spice.
Pour everything into an unbaked pie crust and bake until the center barely jiggles.
Serve it with a big ol’ spoon of whipped cream right before it hits the table.
8. Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies
These sound fancy but they’re also super easy to make!
Start with a basic pumpkin cookie dough, then fold in a handful of white chocolate chips.
The chips melt into little creamy pockets that make every bite feel special.
Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake until the bottoms are just turning golden.
Cool on a wire rack so they don’t get soggy.
9. Delicious Cinnamon Roll Muffins
Make a quick batter with flour, sugar, eggs, and milk, then swirl in brown sugar and cinnamon like you would for cinnamon rolls.
Scoop into muffin cups and bake until they rise high and fluffy.
Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk while they’re still warm.
Pop them out of the pan before the glaze hardens so they don’t stick.
10. Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Roll out a batch of sugar cookie dough that’s flavored with pumpkin puree and a pinch of spice.
Cut into circles or pumpkins and bake until they’re just set.
Spread thick cream cheese frosting on top once they cool, then add sprinkles if you want extra color.
Store them flat in a container so the frosting doesn’t smudge.
11. Salted Caramel Apple Bars
Layer sliced apples over a shortbread crust and drizzle caramel sauce on top.
Sprinkle with a little sea salt and bake until the apples soften and the caramel bubbles.
Cut into bars once it cools, and the crust will hold everything together.
These get messy, so I always line the pan with parchment.
Keep a napkin nearby because the caramel drips!
12. Apple Cinnamon Blondies
Mix melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then stir in flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
Fold in diced apples so there’s fruit in every bite.
Spread the batter in a pan and bake until the edges are golden and the center is set.
The smell of apples and cinnamon is the best part while they’re baking.
Slice them into squares before they cool all the way so they cut easier.
13. Mini Pumpkin Bread (So Cute!)
Whisk pumpkin puree with sugar, eggs, and oil, then fold in flour, baking soda, and warm spices.
Pour the batter into mini loaf pans so you get adorable little breads instead of one big one.
Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are cracked.
You can wrap a few in plastic and tuck them in the freezer for later.
Slice while still warm and spread with butter for the best bite.
14. Apple Crumble Cupcakes
Bake up apple-flavored cupcakes with cinnamon in the batter, then top each one with a buttery crumble before baking.
The crumble turns crunchy while the cupcakes stay soft underneath.
Frost lightly with cream cheese or vanilla frosting once they cool.
And save a little crumble to sprinkle on top for texture!
Use cupcake liners so the crumble doesn’t fall off when you peel them.
15. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
I’ll admit, I can’t help but sneak a slice or two for my morning coffee when I make this bread!
To make it, mix pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, and oil, then stir in flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
Fold in a generous amount of chocolate chips before pouring into a loaf pan.
Bake until the middle is set and the top has a crack running down the center.
The chocolate stays gooey if you slice it while it’s warm.
Wrap leftovers in foil so it stays soft.
16. Cinnamon Apple Scones
Here’s another morning favorite!
My kids love munching on these in the morning before school.
Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon, then cut in some cold butter until the mix looks crumbly.
Add in some diced apples and a splash of milk to bring the dough together.
Shape the dough into a circle, cut into wedges, and then bake until golden.
And don’t forget to brush the tops with a little melted butter right after baking!
17. Pumpkin Donuts (Super Easy to Make)
Whisk pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, oil, and flour with pumpkin spice, then spoon the batter into a greased donut pan.
Bake until springy to the touch, then cool just a few minutes.
Dip the tops in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm.
Store them in a sealed container so they don’t dry out.
18. Apple Cider Whoopie Pies
Make soft apple cider cookies with cinnamon and nutmeg, then sandwich two together with cream cheese filling.
The cookies puff up like little cakes and stay soft.
I like to chill the filling first so it doesn’t squish out when you press them.
Use a piping bag for neat circles of filling, but a spoon works just fine too.
Keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Cozy Gatherings Start With Easy Fall Baking
Fall baking is messy counters, kids sneaking chocolate chips, and the smell of cinnamon in every corner of the house.
These recipes aren’t about perfection, they’re about showing up with something warm and sweet when family or friends gather.
Pick one or two that sound good, tie your hair back, and let the oven do the work while you juggle everything else.
