33 Fall Cupcake Recipes

Fall is cupcake season with all the warm spices, apples, and pumpkins everywhere. These cupcakes capture all those cozy autumn flavors in portable form that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or just treating yourself. Most of these use seasonal ingredients and warming spices that make your kitchen smell amazing while they bake. Way better than basic vanilla cupcakes when the weather gets cool.

1. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These are the classic fall cupcake that everyone expects to see. The pumpkin keeps them super moist and the spices make them taste like autumn. Cream cheese frosting is perfect cause it’s not too sweet and balances the spices. You can use canned pumpkin year-round so you don’t have to wait for pumpkin season. These freeze really well too. Get the recipe here.

2. Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting

Fresh diced apples in the batter give these little bursts of fruit and extra moisture. The cinnamon makes them smell incredible while baking. These taste like apple pie in cupcake form but are way easier to make. You can use any apples you got – even the ones getting soft work fine diced up small. Perfect for using up apples from apple picking trips. Get the recipe here.

3. Caramel Apple Cupcakes

These combine two of the best fall flavors – apples and caramel. The caramel can be mixed into the batter, used as filling, or drizzled on top. Some recipes do all three which is probably overkill but tastes amazing. The apple pieces get soft and jammy while baking. These are definitely sweet but that’s kinda the point for a special treat. Get the recipe here.

4. Maple Pecan Cupcakes

Real maple syrup in these makes a huge difference from the fake stuff. The pecans add crunch and nutty flavor that goes perfect with maple. These aren’t super sweet which makes them good for people who don’t usually like cupcakes. The maple flavor gets stronger after they sit for a day. Great for brunches or when you want something that feels sophisticated. Get the recipe here.

5. Sweet Potato Cupcakes

Sweet potato works just like pumpkin in cupcakes but has a different flavor that’s more earthy. You gotta cook and mash the sweet potatoes first which is extra work but worth it. These are really moist and have a beautiful orange color. The sweet potato flavor is subtle so they don’t taste weird to people who haven’t tried them before. Get the recipe here.

6. Spiced Chai Cupcakes

These use chai spices like cardamom, ginger, and cloves instead of just cinnamon. The flavor is more complex and interesting than regular spice cupcakes. You can steep tea bags in the milk for extra chai flavor. These go perfect with coffee or actual chai tea. Good for when you’re tired of the same old pumpkin spice everything. Get the recipe here.

7. Brown Butter Cupcakes

Browning the butter takes a few extra minutes but adds this amazing nutty flavor that makes these taste gourmet. The brown butter smells incredible while you’re making it. These are simple but elegant – the kind of thing that impresses people without being too fancy. The brown butter flavor pairs great with caramel or vanilla frosting. Get the recipe here.

8. Cranberry Orange Cupcakes

The tart cranberries balance the sweet cake and the orange zest makes everything bright and fresh. You can use fresh or dried cranberries depending what you got. These are prettier than most fall cupcakes cause of the red berries. The orange flavor keeps them from being too heavy like some fall desserts can be. Get the recipe here.

9. Pear Ginger Cupcakes

Pears are underrated in desserts but they work really good in cupcakes. The ginger adds warmth without being too spicy. Pears get really soft when baked so they almost melt into the cake. These are more subtle than apple cupcakes which some people prefer. Good for when you want something different but still seasonal. Get the recipe here.

10. Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

These taste like cinnamon rolls but in cupcake form which is genius. Some recipes have a cinnamon sugar swirl in the middle. The frosting is usually vanilla glaze like on real cinnamon rolls. These are perfect for breakfast or brunch cause they basically are breakfast in cupcake form. Kids go crazy for these. Get the recipe here.

11. Pecan Pie Cupcakes

These capture all the flavors of pecan pie without having to make pie crust. The filling is gooey and sweet with lots of pecans. Some recipes put the pecan mixture on top, others swirl it through. These are rich and sweet so a little goes a long way. Perfect for Thanksgiving when you want something different from regular pie. Get the recipe here.

12. Apple Butter Cupcakes

Apple butter gives these deeper apple flavor than fresh apples and makes them super moist. You can buy apple butter or make your own if you’re feeling ambitious. These have warm spices and taste like concentrated autumn. The apple butter also makes them really tender. Great way to use up apple butter if you made or bought too much. Get the recipe here.

13. Bourbon Maple Cupcakes

The bourbon adds depth to the maple flavor without making them taste too boozy – most of the alcohol bakes out. These are definitely grown-up cupcakes, not for kids parties. The combination of bourbon and maple is classic and sophisticated. These work great for adult fall parties or when you want something with more complex flavors. Get the recipe here.

14. Salted Caramel Cupcakes

Salted caramel is everywhere now but it really does taste amazing. The salt cuts through the sweetness and makes the caramel flavor pop more. You can make your own caramel or use store-bought to save time. These are rich and indulgent – definitely a special occasion treat. The salt on top looks fancy and tastes even better. Get the recipe here.

15. Harvest Spice Cupcakes

These use a blend of warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. The spice mixture makes your kitchen smell like autumn while they bake. These are classic fall flavors without being tied to one specific ingredient like pumpkin. You can adjust the spices to taste – more cinnamon if you like it sweet, more ginger if you want heat. Get the recipe here.

16. Butterscotch Cupcakes

Butterscotch flavor is nostalgic and comforting but you don’t see it much anymore. These taste like those hard butterscotch candies but in cake form. The butterscotch chips in the batter add extra flavor and texture. These are sweet and rich – perfect for people who love butterscotch flavor. Good with brown butter frosting or caramel. Get the recipe here.

17. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Adding chocolate chips to pumpkin cupcakes makes them more appealing to people who think pumpkin desserts are boring. The chocolate and pumpkin spices work really good together. These are less intensely pumpkiny than plain pumpkin cupcakes. Kids love these cause they get chocolate but parents feel better cause there’s vegetables in them too. Get the recipe here.

18. Cider Donut Cupcakes

These taste like those amazing cider donuts you get at apple orchards. They’re cake donuts baked in cupcake form instead of fried. The apple cider reduces down to concentrate the flavor. Rolling them in cinnamon sugar while warm makes them taste authentic. These are perfect for fall parties or when you’re craving cider donuts but don’t want to go to the orchard. Get the recipe here.

19. Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

These capture the cinnamon-sugar flavor of snickerdoodle cookies in cupcake form. The batter has cinnamon and the tops get rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking. They’re simple but that classic flavor combination just works. These are good for people who find other fall cupcakes too complicated or weird. Cream cheese frosting works great but they’re good plain too. Get the recipe here.

20. Maple Walnut Cupcakes

The combination of maple and walnuts is classic and tastes like autumn. Real maple syrup makes these way better than artificial maple flavoring. The walnuts add crunch and nutty flavor that balances the sweetness. These aren’t as common as other fall flavors so they feel special and different. Toast the walnuts first if you got time – it really improves the flavor. Get the recipe here.

21. Spiced Pear Cupcakes

Pears have a delicate flavor that works really good with warm spices. They get soft and almost melt into the cupcake while baking. These are more elegant than apple cupcakes and feel more grown-up. The pear flavor is subtle so people who don’t think they like pear desserts usually like these. Good with cream cheese or brown butter frosting. Get the recipe here.

22. Apple Crisp Cupcakes

These have diced apples in the batter and a crumble topping that tastes like apple crisp. The crumble gets crunchy and adds texture contrast. It’s like eating apple crisp but in portable cupcake form. The apple pieces get soft and jammy while baking. These are perfect for fall parties cause they combine two favorite desserts in one. Get the recipe here.

23. Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes

These combine coffee flavor with caramel which is perfect for fall mornings. The coffee keeps them from being too sweet and adds grown-up flavor. You can use espresso powder or strong coffee in the batter. The caramel can be mixed in, used as filling, or drizzled on top. Perfect for coffee lovers who want their caffeine in dessert form. Get the recipe here.

24. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cupcakes

These have cream cheese mixed right into the batter which makes them incredibly moist and tangy. It’s different from just putting cream cheese frosting on top. The cream cheese balances the pumpkin spices and keeps them from being too sweet. These are richer than regular pumpkin cupcakes but worth the extra calories. Get the recipe here.

25. Honey Cinnamon Cupcakes

Honey gives these a different kind of sweetness than sugar and keeps them really moist. The honey flavor is subtle but adds depth. Cinnamon and honey is a classic combination that tastes warm and comforting. These aren’t as sweet as most cupcakes which makes them good for breakfast or brunch. The honey also helps them stay fresh longer. Get the recipe here.

26. Fig Newton Cupcakes

These taste like those cookies but in cupcake form which is kinda weird but really good. Fresh or dried figs work depending what you can find. The fig flavor is mild and sweet with a slight earthy taste. These are definitely different from other fall cupcakes but worth trying if you like figs. Good with cream cheese frosting or just powdered sugar. Get the recipe here.

27. Spiced Apple Cider Cupcakes

Apple cider reduces down in the batter to concentrate the apple flavor. These taste like liquid autumn in cupcake form. The spices are warm and comforting without being overpowering. You can also reduce cider for the frosting to double the apple flavor. Perfect for using up fresh cider from the orchard or farmer’s market. Get the recipe here.

28. Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Bacon in dessert sounds weird but it really works with maple flavor. The salty bacon balances the sweet maple and adds texture. You crumble cooked bacon into the frosting usually, though some recipes put it in the cake too. These are definitely trendy but taste good. Perfect for brunch or when you want something that’ll get people talking. Get the recipe here.

29. Gingerbread Cupcakes

These use the same warm spices as gingerbread cookies but in cake form. Molasses gives them that distinctive gingerbread flavor and dark color. These are perfect for early winter when you want gingerbread flavor but Christmas cookies seem too early. The spices warm you up from the inside. Good with cream cheese frosting or lemon glaze. Get the recipe here.

30. Caramelized Banana Cupcakes

Cooking the bananas first concentrates their flavor and adds caramel notes. These are more sophisticated than regular banana cupcakes. The caramelized bananas get jammy and sweet. These work year-round but feel cozy enough for fall. The banana keeps them really moist and they stay fresh for days. Get the recipe here.

31. Chestnut Cupcakes

Chestnuts have a unique nutty, slightly sweet flavor that’s perfect for fall. You gotta roast and peel them which is work but worth it for special occasions. These are definitely not common but taste amazing if you like chestnuts. The flavor is subtle and sophisticated. These feel very European and elegant. Get the recipe here.

32. Pomegranate Cupcakes

The pomegranate seeds add bursts of tart flavor and pretty red color. Pomegranate juice in the batter gives them a subtle fruity flavor and beautiful pink color. These are more elegant than most fall cupcakes and feel special. The pomegranate flavor isn’t overwhelming so people who haven’t tried it before usually like them. Get the recipe here.

33. Acorn Squash Cupcakes

Acorn squash works like pumpkin but has a nuttier, more complex flavor. You gotta roast and puree the squash first which takes time but makes them special. These have a beautiful golden color and taste like concentrated autumn. The squash keeps them really moist. These are perfect for people who want something different from regular pumpkin cupcakes but still seasonal. Get the recipe here.