Our fall bucket list includes jumping in a pile of leaves, carving pumpkins, and trying out so many dessert recipes that we are forced to go into hibernation. The first one we'll check off is a weekend-long sugar rush. Oh, your friend invited you over for an impromptu potluck? There's a cookie for that. Perhaps you want to impress someone with your incredible baking skills? Upside-down cake should do the trick. Even if you're just baking for yourself because you want to take a new apron for a spin (totally normal reason), then more power to you. Brownies for breakfast.
1. Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake
Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" was written about this cake. That's a fact. You don't even have to cut pears into slices for this impressive-but-actually-easy dessert! And if you're not into pears, there's always pineapple or cherry upside-down cake to try.
2. Tahini Brownies
Don't freak out when you see that these are gluten-free, because the fudgy chocolate and nutty tahini (sesame seed!) swirl combine for beautiful and delectable brownies. They're easy and are a great back-pocket recipe for impromptu parties.
3. BA's Best Morning Buns
Forget cookies—bake morning buns if you're trying to sell your house. The warm, cinnamon-y smell lingers in the best way, and will likely last longer than a batch of these. If you've only had sticky or cinnamon buns before, you'll probably be converted once you take a bite of a warm, buttery, brown sugar-honey filled morning bun. And they're great any time of day.
4. Apple and Fig Custard
"Custard" is a scary word. Don't be afraid. You make this custard in a blender, roast some apples and figs, and combine the whole thing into a fluffy fall delight. (That's also what we call cute dogs in the park.)
5. Brown Butter and Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is the greatest cookie of all time. Full stop. Brown butter, buttery toffee, and chocolate discs (not chips!) combine in perfect harmony. A sprinkle of Maldon salt reaaaaally puts them over the top, and you'll make friends forever if you give these as a gift. Call it "practice" baking for Thanksgiving, nurse a hangover with them, make an excuse to visit your mom to bake these. Do whatever you have to do. Just make them!