Do you get the baking itch as soon as September hits?
Or is it just me?
I guess you’re here, so you must get that urge too as soon as the temps start to drop and the sweaters start to come out.
Fall just feels like baking season, especially cakes for family dinners, holiday potlucks, and weekends when people come to hang out.
Don’t get me wrong, I love muffins and squares and all the sweet treats, but cakes are perfect for crowds and super easy to make.
Especially these ideas, which don’t take a lot of brain power but still taste like they came straight from the bakery!
So here are a few you should have tucked away for when Thanksgiving or any other holiday gathering sneaks up.
You’ll be glad you’re not scrambling and everyone will love a cozy, yummy, fall cake.
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake
Start with a simple yellow cake mix and add a can of pumpkin puree, a couple teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, and a cooled shot of espresso.
Bake it in a 9×13 pan until the top is set and a toothpick comes out clean.
I like to frost it with whipped cream cheese icing because it feels more “coffee shop” that way.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar across the top and serve it with mugs of coffee.
2. Cinnamon Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Mix together some boxed spice cake mix, a can of pumpkin, and a few tablespoons of sour cream to keep it extra moist.
Pour half of the batter into a greased bundt pan, layer with a swirl of cinnamon sugar, then cover with the rest.
Throw a little extra shake of cinnamon into the batter to make the kitchen smell amazing.
Because why not?
Bake until the edges pull away from the pan and let it cool before dusting with powdered sugar.
3. Pumpkin Delight
Pumpkin delight is called a delight for a reason!
Start with making and baking a graham cracker crust for the base.
Once that’s cooled, add a whipped cream cheese layer on top of it (throw it in the fridge to help it harden up a bit).
Then spread a spiced pumpkin pudding mix (I make mine instant vanilla pudding, milk, pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice) on top.
Finish with a layer of whipped cream.
It’s not as time consuming as it looks and its so delicious!
4. Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake
Start with a yellow cake mix, stir in pumpkin puree, eggs, and oil, then pour half into a greased 9×13 pan.
Add a swirl of brown sugar and cinnamon before covering with the rest of the batter.
Instead of doing frosting, poke some holes across the top right after it comes out of the oven and pour a simple powdered sugar glaze on top.
Let it soak in and serve it straight from the pan!
5. Pumpkin Poke Cake
Speaking of poking, this pumpkin poke cake is so super easy to make!
Bake a boxed pumpkin spice cake in a 9×13 pan, then use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over.
Pour some sweetened condensed milk (or a caramel sauce…yum!) into the holes so it seeps through the whole cake.
Spread whipped topping over the top and scatter crushed gingersnaps for crunch.
Chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to slice it.
6. Pumpkin Biscoff Cake
Pumpkin biscoff cake is one of those things that sounds fancy, but it’s just layering a few things in the right order.
Mix up a pumpkin cake batter, either out of the box or something simple with puree, eggs, sugar, flour, and a little spice.
Pour half into your pan, then press in a layer of Biscoff cookies right on top of the batter.
Add the rest of the batter and bake until it smells like fall in your kitchen.
Once it’s cooled give it a bit of frosting and you have a beautiful (and super easy) layered fall cake!
7. Chocolate Pumpkin Cake
I don’t think enough people put pumpkin and chocolate together!
This is a layered cake that’s easier than it looks because basically all you do is make two chocolate cakes and one pumpkin cake.
Stack them with chocolate frosting in between the layers and then frost all over.
Done!
8. Pumpkin Piecaken
Okay, I’ll be honest, I had no idea what a piecaken was.
I’ve heard of turducken, but this is taking Thanksgiving dessert to a whole new level!
And it’s really not hard to do:
Bake a whole pumpkin pie, let it cool, then prep a spice cake mix.
Pour half of the batter in a springform pan, set the pie on top, and then cover with the rest of the batter.
I know it sounds wild, but it does bake into one solid cake!
Top with a cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of nutmeg and then prepare to wow your guests.
9. Pumpkin Sugar Cookie Cake
Press sugar cookie dough into the bottom of a 9×13 pan, then mix pumpkin puree with a little cream cheese and sugar to spread over the top.
Pour a box of spice cake batter over everything and bake until golden.
The layers will settle into each other as it cools which makes the slices so good!
Dust with powdered sugar once it’s cooled.
10. Apple Cider Coffee Cake
Whisk together a spice cake mix, a box of vanilla pudding, and apple cider instead of water.
Pour half into a pan, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and cover with the rest.
When I make this one, I sometimes toss in chopped apples if I have them lying around (makes it feel a bit breakfast-y!).
Drizzle with a quick glaze made from powdered sugar and cider.
11. Caramel Apple Spice Cake
Speaking of apples, here’s one you should try:
Mix up a spice cake mix using apple cider instead of water, then fold in diced apples.
Bake in a 9×13 pan until the edges start to pull away.
I like to pour warm caramel sauce over the top right when it comes out of the oven so it soaks in.
Finish with some whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
12. Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Line the bottom of a round cake pan with caramel sauce and thin apple slices.
Pour a spice cake batter over the top and bake until set.
Flip it out onto a plate while it’s still warm (carefully!) so the caramel drips down the sides.
Slice it up into wedges and serve right away nice and warm!
13. Bourbon Apple Cider Cake
Don’t worry…this cake won’t make you boozy!
Use a yellow cake mix, swap in apple cider for water, and stir in a splash of bourbon.
Add some chopped apples and walnuts if you’ve got them handy (totally worth adding!).
Bake in a bundt pan until golden and fragrant.
Glaze the cake with a mix of powdered sugar and cider for a little shine.
14. Cardamom Apple Cake
If you’ve never baked with cardamom, now’s your time!
Cardamom is a warm and savory spice from the ginger family, so it’s perfect for a fall cake.
Combine spice cake mix with apple sauce, diced apples, and a teaspoon of ground cardamom.
Fold in chopped pecans for crunch.
I like to bake this one in a loaf pan because the slices look so pretty with the apple bits.
Dust the top with powdered sugar once it’s cooled.
15. Apple Streusal Cake
Start with a basic yellow cake mix and pour half into a greased pan.
Layer with chopped apples tossed in cinnamon sugar, then scatter on a quick streusal made from butter, flour, and brown sugar.
Top with the rest of the batter and a final sprinkle of streusal.
Bake until the topping is golden and crisp.
16. Toffee Apple Loaf Cake
Stir together a spice cake mix, diced apples, and a handful of toffee bits.
Bake in a greased loaf pan until a toothpick comes out clean.
I sometimes add an extra sprinkle of toffee on top before it goes in the oven, so it bakes into a crunchy crust.
Worth it!
Slice thick and serve warm.
17. Fall Harvest Cake
Mix up a yellow cake mix with shredded carrots, apples, and zucchini.
Add a good shake of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Bake in a 9×13 pan or two round pans if you want layers.
Frost with cream cheese icing and scatter chopped walnuts across the top.
It’s like a fruit cake for fall and combines some of the yummiest fruits and vegs from the season.
18. Butter Pecan Cake
Use a butter pecan cake mix and fold in some extra chopped pecans for crunch.
Bake it in a cake pan until it’s golden and fragrant.
You can toast the pecans first to make the flavor soooo much richer.
Then glaze it with a simple powdered sugar icing while it’s still warm.
19. Maple Bacon Cake
Maple and bacon in a cake?
Yes please!
Start with a yellow cake mix and stir in a little maple syrup.
Bake it in a cake pan (I like springform pans) but you can also use a 9×13 sheet pan.
Top with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with crisp bacon crumbles.
A drizzle of more syrup makes it even better (you can’t have too much!).
20. Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake
I’m a sucker for sweet potato, especially if I can use it in my baking.
To make this cake, mash some cooked sweet potatoes and mix them into a spice cake batter with a swirl of cinnamon sugar.
Bake in a 9×13 pan until the top is set.
I like to frost it with cream cheese icing while it’s still a little warm so it melts into the swirl!
Slice into squares and serve right from the pan.
21. Cornbread Cake
Prepare a cornbread mix but add a touch more sugar and a splash of milk so it bakes softer, almost like cake.
Bake in a square pan until golden on top.
Whip some softened butter with honey and keep it on the side for spreading.
Cut into squares and serve warm.
22. Orange Spice Cake
You’ll love the way this one makes your kitchen smell!
Mix a spice cake mix with orange juice instead of water and a bit of orange zest.
Bake in a bundt pan for a pretty shape.
Then glaze it with powdered sugar mixed with orange juice so it has that tangy kick.
Sprinkle on some extra zest on top before serving.
23. Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake
This fall cake has the perfect blend of sweet and salty!
Stir together yellow cake mix with butterscotch pudding and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Bake in a cake pan until golden.
Pour more caramel over the warm cake and scatter with a pinch of sea salt.
Cover it with icing and throw some pecans on top for extra crunch.
24. Spiced Chai Pear Cake
I love baking with pears in the fall because they have such a crisp and savory taste.
And they go super well with sweet flavors like brown butter icing!
To make this, peel and dice some pears, then stir them into a spice cake mix with a splash of brewed chai tea.
Bake it in a loaf pan or bundt until it smells cozy and warm.
Dust the top with powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon and serve it up with some hot tea!
25. Chocolate Hazelnut Pear Cake
Start with folding diced pears and chopped hazelnuts into a chocolate cake mix.
Bake in round pans so you can layer with chocolate frosting.
I sometimes drizzle Nutella on the warm layers before frosting just because it’s so good!
Finish with more chopped hazelnuts across the top.
Quick and Cozy Fall Cake Ideas
Fall cakes are a super easy dessert to make for any special occasion.
You can bring one to Thanksgiving, set one out for a potluck, or just keep it on the counter for family to slice into all weekend.
There’s so many cozy flavors to pick from, and none of them are hard to throw together!
