21 autumn cake ideas

Autumn cake ideas

Spiced apple cake

This spiced apple cake captures all the flavours of autumn, with warming spices and naturally sweet apples at its core. Finished with a rich black treacle icing for a deep, bittersweet kick.

Cranberry cake

Make the most of cranberries coming into season with this vibrant autumn bake. Tangy berries, crunchy pistachios and a light citrus sponge come together for a cake that’s full of texture and flavour.

Lemon blackberry cake

This beautifully light bake combines tart blackberries and lemon with a hint of sweetness from icing sugar. It's great with a drizzle of cream or ice cream, too. Check out plenty more blackberry recipes for crumble, blondies, pies and more.

Venetian apple cake

This light Genoise sponge, layered with tender apples, makes the perfect autumn bake. A scattering of rosemary adds an aromatic twist, bringing extra warmth and depth to the flavour.

Fig cake

Soft, squidgy figs are an autumn staple, so we’ve baked them into this comforting vanilla and almond sponge cake. See more fig recipes.

Dorset apple cake

Capture the essence of autumn with this delightful apple cake, a perfect treat for the season. Featuring a crunchy demerara sugar topping and a soft, lightly spiced sponge, it’s incredibly easy to make and can stay fresh for up to five days when stored in the fridge.

Bee sting cake with plum

This bee sting cake with plum is a delightful twist on a traditional German classic, combining a rich, yeasted sponge with the luxurious flavours of vanilla cream and tangy plum compote. The cake’s brioche-like dough is topped with a layer of honeyed almonds, creating a wonderful contrast of textures and a beautiful golden finish.

Plum upside-down cake

This warming upside-down cake makes brilliant use of plums – serve with a dollop of yogurt for dessert. Discover more pretty plum recipes.

Salted caramel pear cake

This impressive but easy layer cake is filled with spiced poached pears and pecans, and topped with a silky smooth salted maple caramel. It’s a bit like an autumnal victoria sponge, and keeps for two days in the fridge. See more showstopping cake recipes for special occasions.

Pumpkin cake

Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this seasonal special (made with real pumpkin) is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping. Perfect for Halloween or Bonfire Night.

Toffee apple cake

This autumnal cake is a celebration of cold, crisp bonfire evenings and brisk walks through the leaves. Drizzle extra toffee or caramel sauce for a more indulgent tea time treat.

Russian honey cake

This Russian honey cake is an excellent choice for autumn as its layers are warmly spiced with ginger, cinnamon and mixed spice, evoking the comforting flavours of the season. The rich burnt-honey icing and subtle caramel notes from the dulce de leche make it perfect for sharing with friends and family on chilly days.

Blackberry cake

Blackberries are at their prime in the autumnal months of September and October. Make these sweet berries the star of this pretty cake with fresh fruit baked into the sponge and a vibrant coulis drizzled over freshly whipped cream.

Chocolate beetroot cake

Seasonal beetroot adds earthiness and a deep-purple hue to this chocolate bake, best served with a great big dollop of crème fraîche. Next, try our squidgy beetroot brownies recipe.

Sloe gin cake

Autumn is the time to gather sloe berries to ensure they're super ripe. Make your own sloe gin and combine with dark purple plums to create this boozy autumnal bake.

Apple crumble cake

We've combined the comfort of an apple crumble with a fluffy sponge to create this autumnal fruit pudding. Serve this sheet cake with custard or cream for added indulgence.

Plum cake

This plum and earl grey pound cake makes for the perfect afternoon treat with a cup of tea (earl grey, naturally). It's an easy recipe to make but it looks really good and tastes even better. Check out more plum recipes, including an impressive plum tart.

Quince and honey cake

Quince and honey is a great autumnal flavour combination. Try them together in this recipe for an easy bake that looks really impressive. We've got more quince recipes to try if you've got a tree giving you plenty of fruit this autumn.

Apple upside down cake

Turning a cake into something even more special is easy when you make it upside down. Sticky apple slices and a hint of star anise in this recipe will make an easy dinner-party dessert or the best family pud for autumn.

Pear cake

Put autumnal pears at the heart of this indulgent cake. To get the nutty flavour you need to cook the butter until the milk solids turn golden, then cool and cream with the sugar as in a standard cake method. It takes a bit longer but is worth it for the flavour. See more pear recipes.

Salted honey date cake

Salted caramel, who? This bake swaps caramel for luscious honey, creating a sweet twist that’s perfect for cosy afternoons. Pair with your favourite brew when there’s a chill in the air.