Sometimes I bake in the fall just to make my house smell nice.
I mean, we get a tasty treat out of it, but having my home smell like a bakery is almost therapeutic.
Which is especially nice when I’m juggling school events, parties, and the bake sales and birthdays that always seem to pop up this time of year.
Now, I’m not here decorating fancy desserts (like yummy fall cupcakes) or anything. I just like cakes that smell and taste good.
Some of these cakes do take a little longer than others but some are super quick if you need to throw something together fast.
But they all turn out delicious!
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake
This pumpkin spice latte cake is one of my favorites to make.
Mix pumpkin puree with brown sugar, eggs, and a splash of brewed coffee for that cozy latte flavor.
Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves.
The batter should be thick but smooth, kind of like pancake batter that smells like fall in a cup.
Bake until the top looks set and slightly cracked, then drizzle with a simple espresso glaze made from powdered sugar and strong coffee.
2. Caramel Apple Dump Cake
This caramel apple dump cake is another fave and super easy to make.
Slice a few tart apples and toss them with cinnamon and a spoon of brown sugar, then spread them in a baking dish.
Pour a box of yellow cake mix over top and drizzle melted butter across the whole thing.
It’ll look strange, but trust me, it bakes into a soft, caramel-like layer under a crumbly topping.
Pop it in the oven until the edges bubble and the house smells like warm apples and sugar.
Scoop it straight from the pan and serve with a big spoon of vanilla ice cream.
3. Rum Raisin Carrot Cake
Soak raisins in dark rum for at least an hour while you grate your carrots.
Mix the usual cake ingredients, then fold in the rum-plumped raisins and a sprinkle of cinnamon and ginger.
The alcohol mostly bakes off but leaves a deep, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with cream cheese frosting.
It’s an old-fashioned cake that’s sweet but not too sweet.
4. Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake
Whisk apple cider, eggs, and melted butter together, then stir in flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Pour the batter into a greased Bundt pan and bake until golden and your kitchen smells like the inside of a bakery.
While it’s still warm, brush the cake with melted butter and coat it in cinnamon sugar.
The outside gets that classic donut crunch while the inside stays soft and light.
5. Maple Spice Cake
Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cozy spices like cinnamon and allspice, then stir in milk, butter, and maple syrup.
Bake until the top springs back when touched and drizzle with a quick glaze of powdered sugar and more syrup.
It tastes like pancakes turned into cake, which honestly might be the best thing ever.
6. Fall Harvest Cake
Why not take all the flavors of fall and put them in a cake?
Combine shredded carrots, diced apples, and a handful of chopped walnuts in one big bowl.
Add flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and oil, then stir until everything’s coated and smells amazing.
The batter will be thick and chunky, but that’s what makes it so moist.
Bake until the edges turn golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
You can do this as a layered cake if you’re going for looks, but it tastes amazing with a simple layer of icing or glaze.
7. Spiced Pumpkin Biscoff Cake
Crush up Biscoff cookies and mix them into a pumpkin spice batter for a little crunch and caramel flavor.
Whisk together eggs, oil, pumpkin puree, and sugar, then stir in the dry ingredients and the cookie crumbs.
Pour it into a square pan and bake until it smells like cookies and pie had a baby.
Once cooled, spread on a thin layer of cookie butter for extra sweetness.
8. Carrot and Caramel Cake
Grate carrots and mix with oil, sugar, and eggs, then add flour, baking soda, and a bit of cinnamon.
Once it’s baked and cooled, ice it with a cream cheese icing (I like to sneak some caramel in there).
Then pour warm caramel sauce right over the top and let it soak in.
Throw a few pecans on top for some extra crunch.
9. Brown Sugar Chai Cake
Steep two chai tea bags in hot milk until it smells spicy and sweet.
Beat brown sugar, butter, and eggs together, then add the chai milk with flour and baking powder.
Bake until golden and lightly springy to the touch.
The flavor is cozy and a little unexpected, like a tea latte in cake form.
10. Cardamom Pecan Apple Cake
Chop a few apples and toss them with cardamom and sugar until coated.
Mix them into a simple vanilla batter along with a handful of chopped pecans.
Bake until the top is golden and the apples are soft.
Once cooled, drizzle with honey or a thin vanilla glaze.
It’s warm, nutty, and tastes like fall morning coffee!
11. Pumpkin Ginger Cake
Whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth.
Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and a good spoonful of ground ginger.
The smell while it bakes is unreal, all sweet and spicy.
Let it cool before spreading on a light cream cheese frosting or dusting with powdered sugar.
12. Pumpkin Streusel Cake
Make your pumpkin batter first, then mix up a quick streusel with butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Pour half the batter into a pan, sprinkle some streusel, then add the rest of the batter and finish with the rest of the crumb topping.
Bake until the top turns golden and the kitchen smells like a bakery.
Serve warm and watch it disappear fast.
13. Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, pumpkin puree, and melted butter until combined, then add cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.
Pour into a pan and top with a brown sugar crumble made from butter, sugar, and flour.
Bake until the middle sets and the topping gets that crispy edge everyone fights over.
I love having a piece with my coffee in the morning, still a little warm.
14. Maple Walnut Cake
Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then add eggs, maple syrup, and milk.
Stir in flour, baking powder, and chopped walnuts until the batter looks smooth and speckled.
Bake until the top is golden and the edges pull from the pan.
Pour on a thin maple glaze right after baking so it soaks in and makes the top shiny.
15. Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter together, then fold in eggs and sour cream until creamy.
Pour half into a greased Bundt pan, sprinkle with a mix of cinnamon and brown sugar, then top with the rest of the batter.
Swirl it gently with a knife before baking until golden.
Slice it warm, and you’ll see that soft, sugary ribbon right in the middle.
16. Apple Butter Layer Cake
Whisk together butter, sugar, and eggs, then add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Stir in a few spoonfuls of apple butter until the batter turns that warm golden brown color.
Bake in two round pans, then spread more apple butter between the layers like jam.
Frost with cream cheese icing and let it chill a bit before slicing so it stays neat.
17. Toffee Pecan Cake
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and melted butter, then fold in chopped pecans and crushed toffee bits.
Bake until the top is shiny and smells like caramel candy.
Let it cool before drizzling with a little chocolate or a buttery glaze if you like it extra sweet.
18. Sweet Potato Spice Cake
Yup, I’ve made cakes with sweet potato!
Mash cooked sweet potatoes until smooth, then mix with eggs, oil, and brown sugar.
Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and allspice.
The batter will look thick but that’s how it stays soft and moist.
Bake until the top springs back, then cover with a simple cream cheese or marshmallow frosting.
19. Pear and Gingerbread Cake
Whisk together molasses, sugar, and eggs, then add oil, flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon.
Fold in diced ripe pears until they’re coated in the dark, spicy batter.
Bake until the top looks firm and the edges start to pull away from the pan.
It tastes like gingerbread but softer and a little fruity.
20. Brown Butter Pear Cake
Melt butter until golden and nutty, then let it cool a bit before mixing it with sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Stir in flour, baking powder, and thin slices of pear so every bite gets some fruit.
Bake until the edges brown and the top looks glossy.
A little sprinkle of powdered sugar on top makes it look like you bought it from a bakery.
21. Cranberry Orange Spice Cake
Cream butter and sugar together, then add eggs, orange zest, and a splash of juice.
Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then fold in chopped cranberries.
The tart berries and citrus smell amazing while it bakes.
Once cooled, drizzle with a light orange glaze for that perfect sweet and tangy bite.
22. Chai Honey Cake
Steep a few chai tea bags in warm milk until it’s rich and fragrant.
Mix honey, sugar, and oil together, then add the chai milk, flour, baking powder, and a pinch of cinnamon.
Bake until the top is golden and slightly cracked.
It’s soft, sticky, and perfect with a cup of tea after the kids go to bed.
Fall Cakes Worth Every Crumb
There’s just something about baking this time of year that makes the whole house feel calmer!
And you don’t need fancy recipes or ingredients to get that cozy fall smell in your kitchen.
Honestly, these cakes are super easy to make and you’ll find yourself making them every year too.
