30 Fall Cake Recipes That Are Packed with the Flavors of the Season
Looking to make a tall layer cake, a rustic upside-down treat, or a cheesecake brimming with the taste of fall? Take the chill off the cool evenings when you bake one of these. Fall is one of our favorite seasons. Apart from the football, the leaves changing, and the opportunity to decorate pumpkins, we appreciate that the cooler weather allows us to do one of our favorite things: bake fall cakes. There's something special about fall cakes–an indulgent slice of rich sweet potato pound cake with a cup of hot coffee is a perfect afternoon in the making. Fall baking also lets us use some of our favorite ingredients, whether it's apples in a glorious stack cake or pumpkin in an almost-too-pretty-to-eat cheesecake. We've rounded up some of our all-time favorite fall cakes for you to bake this autumn. These fall cakes are all party-perfect, but don't hesitate to whip one up to keep a fall dessert on hand for after-school snacks and casual drop ins. With fall cakes this good, there's no excuse not to try out at least a few of these recipes.
Apple Stack Cake
Recipe: Apple Stack Cake
This stack cake will taste better after it has cured for a couple of days allowing the layers and filling a chance to meld together.Â
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Pumpkin Dump Cake
Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake
If you're looking for the easiest cake you can make this fall, we've found it.Â
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Pecan Pie Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
Recipe: Pecan Pie Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
This confection marries the flavors of pecan pie with a frosted layer cake for a decadent dessert that deserves a spot on your fall baking list.
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Apple Pie Cake
Recipe: Apple Pie Cake
Enjoy the flavors of apple pie without the fuss of a crust. This cake comes together with just 15 minutes of hands-on time.Â
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Pumpkin Layer Cake Recipe with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe: Pumpkin Layer Cake Recipe with Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting
Homemade caramel, cream cheese frosting, and pumpkin spice cake come together to create a gorgeous layer cake that embodies the flavor of fall in every bite.Â
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Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake
Recipe: Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake
Browning the butter and toasting the pecans for this recipe adds additional layers of flavor to vanilla cake.Â
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Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting
Recipe: Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting
Homemade slow-cooker apple butter is easy to make and serves as the perfect filling for pound cake.Â
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Butter Pecan Layer Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
Recipe: Butter Pecan Layer Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
This impressive layer cake needs a permanent spot on your favorite cake stand.Â
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Southern Sweet Potato Cake
Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Cake
Turn sweet potatoes into a decadent dessert with this recipe that'll remind you of a cake Grandma would make.Â
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Praline Cake
Recipe: Praline Cake
A homemade praline glaze adds moisture and flavor to vanilla cake.Â
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Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Recipe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake
This cake comes together with a little stirring, pouring, and plenty of butter.Â
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Caramel Cake
Recipe: Caramel Cake
You're just 15 minutes of prep time away from this old-fashioned caramel cake.Â
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Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
Recipe: Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
This warm cake with a gooey caramel center and a crunchy streusel topping can be enjoyed for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or after dinner dessert.Â
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Pumpkin Spice Magic Cake
Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Magic Cake
For the best results, our Test Kitchen recommends using a light-colored Bundt pan.Â
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Vintage Fresh Apple Cake
Recipe: Vintage Fresh Apple Cake
This recipe has continued to delight readers since it first appeared in the pages of Southern Living in 2001.Â
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Pumpkin Pie Cake
Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cake
This genius recipe allows you to enjoy the best parts of a cake and pie all in one dessert.Â
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Auntie's Apple Cake
Recipe: Auntie's Apple Cake
Any fresh baking apple will do, but pink lady, granny smith, or honeycrisp are the best options.Â
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Sweet Potato Pound Cake
Recipe: Sweet Potato Pound Cake
Bored with sweet potato casserole? Try this sweet potato pound cake, a twist on traditional pound cake that features nutrient-rich sweet potatoes.
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Caramel Apple Cake
Recipe: Caramel Apple Cake
This cake will make a show-stopping centerpiece that's almost too pretty to eat.Â
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Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake
Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake
Cinnamon, red pepper, and chipotle give chocolate a spicy take for fall.Â
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Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans
Recipe: Pumpkin-Spice Bundt with Brown Sugar Icing and Candied Pecans
Make sure to spoon the icing over the cake while it's still warm for the best results.Â
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The Ultimate Carrot Cake
Recipe: The Ultimate Carrot Cake
The layers of this carrot cake will be tender after baking, so make sure to remove them from the pans carefully.
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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
Recipe: Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
This cake means business. A duo of glazes—one creamy chocolate, the other subtle buttermilk—comes together atop this dreamy confection.Â
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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
This rustic dessert, baked in a cast-iron skillet, is a real crowd-pleaser. The flavors of the caramel and pineapple are perfect together.
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Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake
Recipe: Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake
If you've never known the glory of a mayonnaise cake, you're in for a treat. The staple ingredient yields an ultra-moist crumb and keeps the sugar from taking over your taste buds.
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Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes
Recipe: Rum-Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes
This mini Bundt cake recipe features pureed sweet potatoes, raisins, rum, and toasted pecans along with cinnamon and nutmeg. It's the perfect pick-up treat for a holiday dessert party.
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Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt
Recipe: Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt
The topping on this Bundt—a maple glaze with sugared pecans and pumpkin seeds—will make your guests ooh and ahh.
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Pumpkin Cheesecake
Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cheesecake can be baked and refrigerated for up to two days before serving.
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Tennessee Jam Bundt
Recipe: Tennessee Jam Bundt
The best way to enjoy this blackberry and caramel confection is with friends—it makes 12 satisfying servings.
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Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake
Recipe: Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake
Top a show-stopping crown of Mascarpone Frosting with swirls of Apple Cider Caramel Sauce and a scattering of salty-sweet Spiced Pecans.Â