Better Homes And Gardens Fall Baking 2021

Apple Scones with Spiced Maple Butter

Credit: Andy Lyons

It's always a good idea to spend some time making the kitchen smell divine with cozy fall baking recipes. Here we've shared our favorite easy fall desserts and treats including apple desserts, cookies, bread, and other easy at-home baking ideas. The best part? Each of these fall baking recipes has prep times of 30 minutes or less, making them perfect for your busy autumn schedule.

Maple-Glazed Baked Apples

Credit: Andy Lyons

Turn your bag of orchard-fresh apples into an easy fall dessert using only five ingredients. Maple syrup, cider, and butter create the bubbly homemade glaze, while cinnamon sticks inserted into the tops give these individual apple desserts a mini pumpkin vibe.

Italian Parmesan Pretzels

Credit: Jacob Fox

Fall baking isn't all about sweets—thanks to frozen bread dough, this elevated game-day snack (perfect for fall tailgating) can be prepped in 15 minutes. Brush the puffy pretzels in butter and a sprinkling of cheesy-garlic seasonings before popping into the oven.

Pumpkin Latte Coffee Cake

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Now you can enjoy your favorite coffee shop's quintessential fall beverage in delightful coffee cake form. The batter of this fall baking recipe features pumpkin, those warm pumpkin pie spices, and instant coffee granules for a breakfast treat worthy of enjoying alongside a steaming cup of PSL.

Apple Scones with Spiced Maple Butter

Credit: Andy Lyons

Here's a fall baking idea to add to your fall brunch menu. Flaky, tender scones are dotted with sweet-tart apples and infused with warm apple pie spice flavor. Served with homemade spiced maple butter, good luck stopping at just one of these fall treats.

Buy It: Wilton Ultra Nonstick Large Baking Pan ($10, Target)

Maple-Nut Pie Bars

Credit: Blaine Moats

If you need fall baking ideas, this one's a winner. A combo of crunchy mixed nuts tops a buttery crumb crust. The maple syrup added to the mix will leave you craving this fall treat over pancakes any day.

Easy Apple-Cranberry Slab Pie

Credit: Scott Little

Slab pies are an easy fall dessert for when you've got company but want to avoid dirtying multiple pans to feed everyone a slice. To keep prep time to a minimum, we utilize purchased frozen puff pastry for the ultimate buttery crust. Dried cranberries add a nice zingy taste to the sweet apple filling.

Buy It: OXO Good Grips Swivel Vegetable Peeler ($13, Walmart)

Melt-in-Your Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

Credit: Blaine Moats

Say hello to your new favorite fall cookie recipe. (With nearly 700 ratings to date, you really can't go wrong.) Aside from a can of pumpkin, this fall cookie idea uses only pantry staples and a fresh smear of cinnamon-sprinkled frosting.

Related: 47 Irresistible Pumpkin Desserts Starring Fall's Favorite Flavor

Nutty Honey Mini Rolls

Credit: Andy Lyons

Refrigerated crescent dough is the key to keeping the ingredient count low in this easy fall dessert. The mini cinnamon rolls have an irresistible crunchy bite with the addition of chopped toasted almonds in the filling. A drizzle of honey icing makes these the perfect fall treat to go with your morning cup of coffee.

Baklava Monkey Bread

Credit: Brie Passano

Baklava is a traditional Greek dessert of phyllo dough layered with nuts and coated in a honey syrup. Here we've used those flavors as inspiration for our easy fall baking recipe. Stacks of canned biscuits (another excellent shortcut ingredient) get the baklava treatment with walnuts, pistachios, and that signature sweet syrup.

Chai-Infused Chocolate Pots de Creme

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Enjoy warm and comforting chai spices (ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and cloves) in this delicious fall dessert recipe. The creamy custard base calls for egg yolks, so it's an easy way to use them if you've recently made a recipe using only egg whites. Since these fall treats are chilled, you can easily make them in advance.

Buy It: Our Table 8-Ounce Ramekins ($9, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Caramelized Pear Skillet Cake

Credit: Carson Downing

One bite of this moist upside-down cake, and you'll be in buttery, brown sugar bliss. Molasses is also involved to achieve a richer depth of flavor. Did we mention there's a bourbon sauce involved?

Buy It: Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet ($30, Target)

Caramel-Nut Chocolate Chip Bars

Credit: Andy Lyons

Forget the candy bar and reach for something more indulgent. This rich fall dessert recipe features some of your favorite ingredients, including flaky coconut, honey-roasted peanuts, chunky chocolate chips, and creamy caramel.

Sweet Potato Brownies

Credit: Andy Lyons

This easy fall baking recipe utilizes mashed sweet potatoes to add moisture as well as extra nutrients (i.e. fiber, vitamin A, etc.) to your seasonal menu. The healthy chocolate dessert also calls for honey and coconut sugar to keep it naturally sweetened.

Cranberry Chai Cupcakes

cranberry chai cupcakes

Credit: Scott Little

For an elegant touch, garnish the silky smooth spiced cream cheese topping with juicy cranberries and sweet shards of cinnamon stick. You can freeze these beautiful mini fall desserts in an airtight container for up to one month before frosting.

Gluten Free Pumpkin-Walnut Streusel Muffins

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Gluten-free recipes can also go on the list for easy fall baking ideas. With 25 minutes prep time and just 15 minutes in the oven, you'll be celebrating the cool weather and changing leaves with a delightfully warm, spiced pumpkin muffin.

Buy It: Mainstays 12 Cup Nonstick Muffin Pan ($5, Walmart)

Peppered Pear Scones with Pear Conserve

Brandy-Soaked Currant, Thyme, and Parmesan Scones

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Enjoy these scones as a light, flaky treat at your next brunch or get-together. Drizzle with our zesty pear-raisin conserve (a mixed fruit jam) for a divine finish to these easy fall desserts. Use one of our buttermilk substitutes if you don't have any on hand.

Cranberry-Almond Wedges

Credit: Blaine Moats

Some fall cookie recipes can get complicated, but not these tasty fruit wedges. The easy-to-make cookies make a stellar yet simple treat for any cookie swap. Store them at room temperature for up to two days or freeze for up to three months before enjoying.

Cheddar-Crusted Apple-Pomegranate Galette

Credit: Andy Lyons

Move over apple pie! This easy fall dessert is bursting with flavor, thanks to warm sugared apples and juicy pomegranate seeds. Plus, the flaky white cheddar crust adds savory complementary flavor.

Cast-Iron Figgy Brie Rolls

figgy brie rolls

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Brie makes a creamy, bubbly filling for these golden honey rolls. Best of all, we've added fig and fresh sage to enhance the flavor of these fall baked goods.

Related: Cast-Iron Skillet Desserts to Satisfy Every Sweet Tooth

Autumn Pumpkin Bars

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Potluck, bonfire, tailgate party—this is the fall baking recipe you can always count on to disappear first. Seriously, everyone will devour these fluffy pumpkin bars with perfectly sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting. Out of pumpkin? Swap it for applesauce for an equally delicious treat.

Cheddar-Blue Thumbprints

Credit: Andy Lyons

A tantalizing trio of savory cheeses (white cheddar, blue, and Parmesan) give these peppery almond-coated fall cookies ultra-creamy tang. Sweeten them with a spoonful of raspberry preserves. It might sound a bit weird, but we promise you'll be reaching for seconds as soon as you give one a try.

Related: 21 Thumbprint Cookies You Have to Add to Your Holiday Baking List

Whole-Wheat Spice Bars with Maple-Cream Icing

Whole Wheat Spice Bars with Maple-Cream Icing

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Take comfort this chilly season with irresistible molasses-maple bars. Give them a little extra flair by spreading on our maple-cream icing, or use stencils to make powdered sugar leaves on the yummy fall dessert.

Quince Skillet Tart with Savory Prosciutto Pastry

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Quince, also known as a golden apple, makes a sweet pairing with savory prosciutto in this fresh homemade pastry. Sprinkle with Manchego cheese and snipped sage to add an Italian-style garnish to your fall baking.

Up Next