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50 Best Fall Cake Ideas for Cool, Cozy Days

Enjoy the season's best flavors: pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon.

By Kara Zauberman and Georgia Goode
fall cake ideas
Caitlin Bensel

Fall is the official start to baking season and it's no surprise why—from school bake sales to holiday parties, there are so many reasons to celebrate. And what's the one thing that every party needs? Cake, of course! That's precisely the reason we've rounded up these stunning fall cake ideas, including sheet cakes, Bundt cakes, layer cakes, and even cheesecakes. All of these cakes would make a tasty addition to your Thanksgiving dessert spread, and they would even look beautiful alongside your seasonal fall cupcakes.

Here, you'll find fall cakes that are packed with all the flavors of the season. Pumpkin desserts are a no-brainer this time of year. In fact, pumpkin cake just so happens to be one of Ree Drummond's childhood favorites! We've included plenty to choose from, from Ree's easy sheet cake to a moist Bundt cake and mini pumpkin cheesecakes fit for a crowd. Of course, there's plenty of other sweets if pumpkin isn't your thing. Chocoholics will dream of the two-layer German chocolate cake and peanut butter cheesecake with a chocolate crust and topping, while cinnamon sugar streusel fans will adore recipes like the sour cream coffee cake and crumb cake that are just as good for breakfast the next morning. Pour a mug full of coffee or, better yet, apple cider, and cozy right up to one of these heavenly fall desserts!

1

Crumb Cake

fall cake ideas crumb cake
Caitlin Bensel

The star of this cake is the extra-thick layer of buttery streusel topping! It's the perfect snacking cake, especially alongside a cup of coffee or mug of warm tea.

Get the Crumb Cake recipe.

SHOP SHEET PANS

2

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

fall cake ideas mini pumpkin cheesecakes
Will Dickey

These bite-sized cakes are full of cozy fall flavors. The recipe makes 12, so they're the perfect recipe to try for an autumn dinner party with friends. You can make them ahead and simply dollop with whipped cream when it's time to serve.

Get the Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes recipe.

3

German Chocolate Cake

fall cake ideas german chocolate cake
Caitlin Bensel

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't love this two-tiered beauty. Between the rich, cocoa-infused cake, coconut filling, and fudge frosting, it's pure and total decadence.

Get the German Chocolate Cake recipe.

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4

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

fall cake ideas sour cream coffee cake
Caitlin Bensel

With ribbon of warm cinnamon sugar streusel spun through the middle and even more sprinkled on top, this cake is a cozy bake for fall. The sour cream in the batter helps keep it wonderfully moist!

Get the Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe.

5

Coca-Cola Cake

fall cake ideas coca cola cake
Will Dickey

Give this retro recipe a spin this autumn! If you've never tried baking with soda, you're in for a surprise. The carbonation gives the cake a little extra rise and lighter, more tender texture. Soda is also in the chocolate glaze where it lends a wonderful caramel-like flavor.

Get the Coca-Cola Cake recipe.

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6

Eclair Cake

the pioneer woman's eclair cake recipe
Caitlin Bensel

Six ingredients—that's all it takes to make this rich, decadent dessert! Sweetened condensed milk and semisweet chocolate make it a once-a-year kind of treat that's perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving.

Get the Eclair Cake recipe.

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7

Best Birthday Cake

fall cake ideas best birthday cake recipe
Caitlin Bensel

This is the best classic chocolate cake recipe, no birthday required. With a moist, tender, and perfectly chocolaty cake and decadent buttercream frosting to boot, it's everything you want in a dessert.

Get the Best Birthday Cake recipe.

8

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

fall cake ideas ooey gooey butter cake
Caitlin Bensel

A beloved treat hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, gooey butter cake is just that—gooey, buttery, and incredibly delicious. It starts with a box of cake mix to keep things easy.

Get the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake recipe.

9

Chocolate Guinness Cake

fall cake ideas chocolate guinness cake
Caitlin Bensel

Guinness gives the cake a slightly malty flavor that pairs oh-so nicely with rich chocolate. A drizzle of thick, Bailey's-spiked cream cheese icing is the perfect finishing touch!

Get the Chocolate Guinness Cake recipe.

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10

Hummingbird Cake

hummingbird cake with pecans
Will Dickey

Sweet, tender, and so comforting—this classic cake is like a cross between banana bread and carrot cake. And, it's so good!

Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.

SHOP CAKE STANDS

11

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

peanut butter cheesecake with chocolate
Will Dickey

Using an Oreo crumb crust makes this peanut butter cheesecake even more rich and decadent. It's the perfect combo of chocolate and peanut butter.

Get the Peanut Butter Cheesecake recipe.

12

Applesauce Cake

applesauce cake with walnuts
Hector Sanchez

This one-bowl cake is lightly spiced, moist, and so simple to make. You can whip it up for an after-school snack or any occasion this season.

Get the Applesauce Cake recipe.

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13

Mini Bundt Cakes

mini bundt cakes with three types of glaze
Caitlin Bensel

To give these individual cakes a fall twist, try topping them with the maple-whiskey glaze and chopped toasted pecans.

Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipe.

14

Chocolate Wacky Cake

chocolate wacky cake in blue pan
Hector Sanchez

What makes this cake so wacky? Not only is it made in one pan, but it also doesn't need any butter, eggs, or milk. It's a magical thing!

Get the Chocolate Wacky Cake recipe.

15

Gingerbread Cake

gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting
Will Dickey

Just like the holiday favorite, this cake is loaded with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Plus, it has rich molasses so it's extra-sweet.

Get the Gingerbread Cake recipe.

SHOP BAKING TOOLS

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16

Carrot Cheesecake

fall cake ideas carrot cake cheesecake
Caitlin Bensel

Cheesecake is for fall, too! This one features a carrot cake crust—carrots are a seasonal root vegetable, after all—and a thick layer of rich, silky filling.

Get the Carrot Cheesecake recipe.

17

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

caramel apple cheesecake
Will Dickey

Get a double dose of caramel and apples with this gorgeous fall cheesecake. There's a layer of apples and caramel in the cheesecake filling and another heaping that's spooned over the top.

Get the Caramel Apple Cheesecake recipe.

18

Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet

apple cake in an iron skillet with ice cream on top
Hector Sanchez

As the name implies, skillet cakes are baked right in an iron skillet—no extra baking equipment necessary! It's warm, comforting, and perfect for fall!

Get Ree's Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet recipe.

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19

Pumpkin Spice Cake

pumpkin spice cake with glaze and pink flowers in back
Will Dickey

This impressive looking cake is surprisingly easy to make so it's perfect for fall gatherings or impromptu get-togethers. You can even bring it to you next fall potluck!

Get the Pumpkin Spice Cake recipe.

20

Apple Cake

apple cake on blue and white striped plate
Will Dickey

After a day of apple picking, you’re probably wondering what to do with all those apples?! First things first: make this apple cake! Your family will thank you!

Get the Apple Cake recipe.

SHOP SERVING UTENSILS

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