Apple & Pear
Fall wouldn’t be fall without apples, and this year they’re showing up in everything from classic apple pies and apple cakes to turnovers, tarts and spiced apple cider. Pears bring a slightly more elegant twist, finding their way into tarts, poached pear desserts, cakes and even cocktails.

Maple & Pecan
Warm, nutty and unmistakably autumnal, maple and pecan are staples for the season ahead. Expect to see them in pecan pies, maple cakes, sticky buns, cookies and maple pecan lattes.

Caramel
Caramel is having its annual fall moment, adding richness to everything from salted caramel brownies and cheesecakes to caramel apple desserts. It’s also making its way into seasonal coffees, cocktails and specialty drinks.

Chai
Chai brings the warming spices of fall without relying on pumpkin. Think chai-spiced cakes, cookies, doughnuts, muffins and creamy chai lattes. Its blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove makes it an easy match for fall baking.

Black Sesame
For a more unexpected flavor, black sesame brings a nutty, slightly earthy profile to modern desserts. Look for it in cookies, ice cream, cakes, pastries and chocolate creations, often paired with vanilla, caramel or dark chocolate.

Cranberry
As fall moves toward the holiday season, cranberry will take center stage in cakes, muffins, scones, tarts and cheesecakes. Its bright acidity also makes it a natural pairing for orange, apple and white chocolate.

Pumpkin isn’t going anywhere, of course. But as bakeries and pastry chefs look for new ways to capture the feeling of fall, these flavors are proving there’s a whole season beyond pumpkin spice.

The season may not be here yet, but your fall baking can be.