41 autumn desserts

For even more seasonal ideas, explore our best autumn recipes, discover a variety of autumn cake recipes, or try your hand at preserving autumn's fruit in homemade jams. If you fancy something savoury, browse our autumn breakfast ideas, hearty autumn salads, or comforting one-pot dishes. For those keen to celebrate the season, there's inspiration for cosy autumn home décor, cabin getaways and even autumn cocktails to toast the change in weather.

Discover a wide variety of autumn desserts below, from traditional British favourites to creative new ideas. There are cakes, tarts, crumbles, pies, puddings and more – each one showcasing the best of the season.

Easy autumn dessert ideas

Apple and blackberry crumble

A timeless pudding that pairs tart apples and juicy blackberries beneath a golden, buttery crumble topping. Serve warm with lashings of custard or cream for a true taste of autumn.

Discover more crumble recipes perfect for all seasons.

Toffee apple croissant tart

This toffee apple croissant tart swaps traditional pastry for ready-to-bake croissant dough, making it quick and easy to prepare. With juicy Bramley apples, luscious caramel and a buttery, flaky base, it’s an impressive centrepiece for any gathering.

Marmalade upside-down cake

This marmalade upside-down cake gives a bittersweet twist to a classic, with fresh orange slices, tangy marmalade and plenty of zest for vibrant citrus flavour. The light sponge, made with yogurt and olive oil, is exceptionally moist.

Dorset apple cake

A soft, lightly spiced sponge studded with juicy apple chunks and finished with a crunchy demerara sugar topping. Moist and flavourful for days, it's just the thing to serve with a steaming mug of tea.

Caramelised apple and brown butter cheesecake bars

This recipe for caramelised apple and brown butter cheesecake bars offers a fresh way to enjoy autumnal spiced flavours, blending the comforting taste of apple crumble with a rich cheesecake layer.

Marmalade and ginger fool

This marmalade and ginger fool is a deliciously speedy dessert that offers a zesty, zingy flavour. It is incredibly easy to prepare, taking just 15 minutes, making it perfect for both last-minute entertaining and a quick treat.

Pumpkin pie

Silky, spiced pumpkin filling sits in a crisp pastry case, finished with a cloud of maple-swirled cream. A seasonal classic made for autumn feasts like Thanksgiving.

Explore more American dessert recipes and Thanksgiving dishes to make your celebration extra special.

Spiced baked quince with walnut crumble

This spiced baked quince with walnut crumble is the perfect autumn dessert, balancing floral sweetness with warming spices. Slow baking transforms the fruit until tender and blushing pink, infused with honey, brown sugar and aromatic spice, while a crunchy walnut topping adds the perfect contrast.

Pear pie

Bake this impressive patchwork pie recipe with sugar-topped flaky pastry. This easy dessert is packed with vibrant chunky rhubarb and seasonal pears, a perfect family pudding.

Spiced pumpkin tart

Warming cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg infuse a silky pumpkin filling, finished with a scattering of grated roasted hazelnuts for extra texture and a toasty, nutty aroma.

Toffee apple crumble

Put a twist on classic apple crumble with toffee-coated apples and a crunchy hazelnut topping. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect finish.

Plum upside-down cake

Couscous in a cake? The nutty grain, a little like polenta, brings a subtle bite to this vibrant plum bake. Serve with a dollop of yogurt or crème fraîche to balance the sweetness.

Check out more sweet traybake recipes for speedy and fun bakes.

Spiced toffee apple traybake

This spiced toffee apple traybake is made moist and squidgy with apple sauce, giving it a wonderfully soft texture. Flavoured with ginger, mixed spice and a sweet apple topping, it’s perfect served warm with cream or ice cream.

Quince and honey cake

Quince and honey make a beautifully autumnal pairing in this elegant upside-down cake. With just eight ingredients, it's a budget-friendly bake that looks impressive and serves up to eight.

Check out more quince recipes.

Pear and chocolate puddings

The best chocolate puddings are the ones you don't have to share. These individual pots combine rich chocolate sponge with tender pear. Just add cream and let everyone tuck in.

Prefer to keep dessert all to yourself? Try our collection of individual dessert recipes.

Pumpkin muffins

Make your own pumpkin purée and blend it with warming autumn spices to create these seasonal muffins. Enjoy them for breakfast or an afternoon snack, or top with soft cheese frosting for a striking finish.

Looking for more on-the-go treats? Check out more muffin recipes.

Fig cake

Bake soft, squidgy fig halves with sugar and marsala into a vanilla and almond sponge for a cake that's perfect with an afternoon cuppa.

For more recipes that go perfectly alongside a cup of tea, check out our afternoon tea recipes.

Apple tart

Showcase a glut of autumn apples with this classic tart, made with crisp, buttery pastry and a gently spiced apple filling. Simple to prepare and delicious served warm or cold with custard, ice cream or thick cream.

Try this classic tart, then explore more timeless favourites and creative twists on sweet tart recipes.

Pear tarte tatin

This pear tarte tatin beautifully combines ripe British pears with rich caramel and crisp pastry for a true showstopper. Flipping the tart reveals a dark caramel sauce and meltingly soft pears – perfect for cosy evenings and best served with a scoop of ice cream.

Toffee apples

Toffee apples are a classic autumn treat, combining crunchy, chewy, sweet and tart flavours. Perfect for Halloween but too good to save for just one night, this easy recipe gives you glossy, crisp results every time – with the option to add nuts or seeds for extra texture.

Blackberry cake

This autumnal cake layers fresh blackberries into a light sponge, finished with a tangy coulis and soft whipped cream. A balance of seasonal fruit and creamy topping makes it both comforting and effortlessly impressive for gatherings.

Salted caramel pear cake

This salted caramel pear cake layers spiced poached pears, crunchy pecans and a silky salted maple caramel for a true showstopper. Easy to make yet impressive to serve, it's packed with comforting seasonal flavours in every bite.

Salted caramel is the ultimate autumn and winter flavour — rich, comforting and perfectly balanced. Explore more salted caramel recipes to try at home.

Apple crumble cake

This apple crumble cake combines the comforting flavours of a classic crumble with a light, fluffy sponge, perfect for cosy autumn evenings. Quick to make and serving up to 10, it's a low-effort, high-reward dessert everyone will love.

Sloe gin cake

Autumn is the perfect time to gather ripe sloe berries. Use them to make your own sloe gin, then pair it with dark plums for a rich, boozy autumn bake.

Pumpkin cake

This easy cake uses real pumpkin for a moist, flavour-packed sponge. Maple syrup and crunchy nuts add autumn warmth, while a zesty soft cheese icing finishes it beautifully. It's freezer-friendly, so ideal for prepping ahead.

Beetroot brownies

Beetroot brownies add a twist to the classic, bringing earthy depth and a wonderfully squidgy texture. In season from June to October, they're a great way to use up a glut.

Pear crumble

This pear crumble is a comforting classic, topped with a thick, crunchy layer that lets the fruit shine. Ready in just 45 minutes, it's the perfect quick yet satisfying pudding.

Marsala-baked plums with chantilly cream

Juicy plums baked with marsala, star anise and cinnamon create a rich, aromatic syrup, topped with velvety chantilly cream. Effortless, luxurious and naturally gluten-free.

Chocolate beetroot cake

Moist, rich and striking, this chocolate beetroot cake gains its subtle earthiness and vibrant hue from the beetroot. Easy to make and perfect with a spoonful of crème fraîche.

Apple upside-down cake

This apple upside-down cake is simple yet impressive, with sticky apple slices and a hint of star anise for a fragrant topping. The light sponge is spiced with warming autumnal spices of ginger and cinnamon.

Pear cake

This pear cake is a cosy autumn bake with caramelised pears and rich, nutty browned butter. Serving eight, it's great for sharing with family and friends.

Cinnamon, pecan and apple crumble bars

These spiced fruit crumble bars are packed with autumn flavour, layering a buttery base, seasonal apple compote, crunchy pecans and a golden crumble topping.

Toffee apple cake

This toffee apple cake is perfect for autumn, with sticky apples, rich toffee flavours and a smooth toffee frosting finished with a drizzle of sauce. It's a comforting treat the whole family will love.

Blackberry brownies

These blackberry brownies give a sophisticated twist on a classic, pairing rich dark chocolate with tart blackberries and fragrant bay. Rye flour adds a nutty depth, making them truly memorable.

Pear and blackberry crumble bars

These blackberry and pear bars combine a soft, fruity centre with a nutty wholemeal and oat crumble topping. Simple to make and high in fibre, they're a healthier dessert or on-the-go treat.

Calvados-poached pears with cardamom custard and sesame brittle

This elegant autumn dessert pairs calvados-infused pears with silky cardamom custard and crisp sesame brittle. With its balance of sweet, savoury and aromatic flavours, and being naturally gluten-free, everyone can enjoy it.

Vegan pumpkin pie

This vegan pumpkin pie uses easy shortcuts, such as ready-made pastry and tinned pumpkin purée, to save time. Everyone will enjoy the sweet and gently spiced flavour that celebrates the season.

Chia pudding

For a lighter dessert, try this chia pudding. Prep the base overnight, then top with quickly cooked apples for a sweet, satisfying treat.

Fig tart with brandy cream

This fig tart makes the most of sweet, ripe figs, layering crisp filo pastry, juicy fruit and a drizzle of honey. Served with warming brandy cream, it’s a simple yet impressive autumn dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Pumpkin iced ring doughnuts

These ring doughnuts are baked, not fried, making them lighter and easier to prepare. Flavoured with warming spices and finished with a salted maple glaze, they’re a fun way to enjoy autumn flavours at home.

Plum and sloe gin crumble

This is a boozy twist on a classic, featuring ripe plums, warming spices and a splash of sloe gin for a rich flavour as the weather cools.