29 September 2026
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Spiced toffee muffins and 8 more bakes to welcome autumn
The Kitchen
By Jean-Luc Moreau, the Technique desk · 2h ago · International · 4 min ·

Spiced toffee muffins and 8 more bakes to welcome autumn

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, we love nothing more than filling our kitchens with the comforting aromas of an autumnal bake or two. It's the perfect time of year to showcase the best of seasonal produce in your baking, from apples and blackberries to plums, pears and even squash.

We’ve transformed the classic sticky toffee pudding into portable muffins. Made with dates and black treacle, these moreish bakes are topped with a glossy toffee icing They’re perfect for a quick autumnal pick-me-up or as a dessert with a cup of tea. Indulge in more of our variations on sticky toffee pudding.

If you’re looking for a showstopping cake that really showcases the autumn’s bounty, this is it. First roast and purée the butternut squash for a sweet, golden sponge, then sandwich it with a luxurious pecan praline buttercream. The crunchy praline shards on top really give this bake the wow factor.

This impressive pie is bursting with Bramley apples and topped with a buttery, nutty streusel. The pastry is crisp on the outside and soft inside, and a hint of cinnamon brings warmth to every slice. Serve with whipped cream and a drizzle of sticky apple sauce for a slice of autumnal bliss. Make the most of seasonal produce with more fruit pie recipes.

We can’t resist this indulgent twist on a classic toffee apple. The cake is packed with dates, flavoured with mixed spice and topped with rows of sliced red apples. A drizzle of melted toffee and a dusting of icing sugar finish it off beautifully. It’s easy to make and perfect for cutting up and sharing with friends and family. Make the most of your orchard bounty with more apple recipes.

Although chocolate may not be your first thought when it comes to autumn flavours, we think these game-changing fudgy brownies topped with creamy cheesecake and sharp blackberry sauce will convince you otherwise. The rich chocolate is lifted by tangy fruit and cream cheese and the finished marbled effect looks simply stunning, so they're sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Check out more blackberry recipes.

Few things say autumn like a classic bubbling fruit crumble. Here, we've combined soft pears with a touch of lemon juice, then topped them with a crunchy hazelnut crumble. Serve warm with custard or cream for the ultimate comfort pudding. Browse more of our comforting crumbles.

This light upside-down sponge is layered with juicy plums, giving it both a striking appearance and extra moist texture. The fruit turns meltingly tender as it bakes at the bottom of the tin, creating a beautiful topping once the cake is turned out. It makes for the perfect afternoon tea treat, or you could enjoy it for pudding served with a drizzle of custard or double cream. Find more sweet and savoury ways to use plums.

Not just for Halloween, pumpkin pie is a classic throughout the autumn months, and here we’ve given it a sophisticated dinner party twist. The filling is spiced with ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, and baked in a ginger nut biscuit crust. A billowy stem ginger cream and crunchy pumpkin seed brittle make this pie truly irresistible. Check out more of our perfect pumpkin recipes.

These sticky buns are the ultimate autumn treat. Soft, pillowy dough is filled with sticky apple compote and cinnamon butter, then topped with a tangy soft cheese icing and a drizzle of caramel. They’re perfect for sharing, if you can bear to!

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