There's something magical about baking during autumn. As the days grow shorter and the evenings turn cooler, there's no better feeling than filling your home with the comforting aromas of cinnamon, warm apples, freshly baked cakes and sweet seasonal treats.
Whether you're enjoying a slow Sunday at home, hosting friends for an afternoon coffee or simply looking for an excuse to get creative in the kitchen, autumn is the perfect season to embrace homemade baking.
From classic apple crumble to soft cinnamon rolls and delicious pumpkin muffins, these 7 easy autumn baking recipes are perfect for bringing a little extra warmth and comfort into your home.
1. Classic Apple Crumble: The Ultimate Autumn Comfort Dessert
Nothing says autumn quite like a warm, homemade apple crumble. With tender cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery, golden topping, this British classic is perfect for cosy evenings at home.
Serve with warm custard, vanilla ice cream or a generous spoonful of cream.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 35-40 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients
For the filling:
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600g cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced
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50g light brown sugar
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the crumble:
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175g plain flour
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100g cold unsalted butter, cubed
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75g light brown sugar
Method
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Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan).
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Place the sliced apples in a baking dish and toss with the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice.
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In a mixing bowl, rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
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Stir in the brown sugar.
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Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
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Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
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Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Baking tools you'll need
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Ceramic baking dish: Perfect for baking and serving your crumble straight from the oven.
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Mixing bowl: Ideal for combining the buttery crumble topping.
Our top tip: Use a beautiful ceramic baking dish that can go straight from oven to table for an effortlessly cosy autumn presentation.
2. Soft & Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls?
These soft, fluffy rolls are filled with buttery cinnamon sugar and finished with a simple sweet glaze. They're ideal for slow autumn mornings or an indulgent afternoon treat.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Rising time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Bake time: 20-25 minutes
Makes: 9 rolls
Ingredients
For the dough:
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350g strong white bread flour
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7g fast-action dried yeast
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40g caster sugar
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½ teaspoon salt
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180ml lukewarm milk
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1 large egg
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50g softened unsalted butter
For the filling:
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50g softened butter
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80g light brown sugar
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2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the glaze:
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100g icing sugar
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1-2 tablespoons milk
Method
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Combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl, keeping the salt and yeast separate until mixed into the flour.
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Add the lukewarm milk, egg and softened butter.
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Mix until a dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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Cover and leave in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
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Roll the dough into a rectangle, approximately 30 x 25cm.
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Spread with butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
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Roll tightly into a log and slice into 9 equal pieces.
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Arrange in a greased baking dish, cover and leave to rise for another 30 minutes.
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Bake at 180°C (160°C fan) for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
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Mix the icing sugar with enough milk to make a smooth glaze, then drizzle over the slightly cooled rolls.
Baking tools you'll need
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Large mixing bowl: For making and proving the dough.
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Rolling pin: Helps create an evenly rolled dough.
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Baking dish or cake tin: Keeps the rolls together as they bake.
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Measuring jug: For accurately measuring milk.
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Silicone spatula: Ideal for mixing and spreading the filling.
Our top tip: A silicone spatula is perfect for spreading the cinnamon butter evenly without tearing the soft dough.
3. Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Soft, warmly spiced and wonderfully moist, these pumpkin muffins are a lovely way to celebrate autumn flavours.
They're ideal for breakfast on the go, afternoon coffee breaks or packing into a seasonal picnic.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20-25 minutes
Makes: 12 muffins
Ingredients
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200g plain flour
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150g light brown sugar
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200g pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
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2 large eggs
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100ml vegetable oil
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
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2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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½ teaspoon ground ginger
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¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
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¼ teaspoon salt
Method
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Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
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Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin purée.
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In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, spices and salt.
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Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
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Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cases.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
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Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Baking tools you'll need
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Paper muffin cases: Make removal and clean-up easier.
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Mixing bowls: To prepare the wet and dry ingredients.
- Measuring spoons: Ideal for accurately measuring autumn spices.
Our top tip: Use an ice cream scoop to divide the batter evenly between muffin cases for a neater finish.
4. Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding
Rich, comforting and full of flavour, sticky toffee pudding is the ultimate cosy autumn dessert.
With a soft date sponge and delicious warm toffee sauce, it's perfect for family gatherings or a comforting Sunday evening treat.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 30-35 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
For the sponge:
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175g pitted dates, chopped
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200ml boiling water
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1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
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75g softened unsalted butter
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125g light brown sugar
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2 large eggs
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175g self-raising flour
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the sauce:
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100g unsalted butter
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150g light brown sugar
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200ml double cream
Method
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Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and grease a medium baking dish, approximately 20cm square.
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Soak the chopped dates in boiling water for 10 minutes, then stir in the bicarbonate of soda and mash into a soft mixture.
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Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla.
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Fold in the flour, followed by the date mixture.
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Pour into the baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the sponge is cooked through.
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Meanwhile, gently heat the butter, sugar and cream together in a saucepan, stirring until smooth.
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Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Pour a little sauce over the warm sponge and serve the rest alongside.
Baking tools you'll need
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Mixing bowl: For preparing the cake batter.
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Saucepan: Essential for making homemade toffee sauce.
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Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: For stirring and mixing.
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Serving jug: Perfect for bringing the warm sauce to the table.
Our top tip: Serve the pudding in individual dessert bowls with a generous drizzle of warm toffee sauce for a cosy, restaurant-inspired finish.
5. Spiced Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A beautifully moist carrot cake filled with warm spices is an autumn baking favourite.
The combination of cinnamon, soft sponge and creamy frosting makes this an irresistible afternoon treat.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 30-40 minutes
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
For the cake:
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200g self-raising flour
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180g light brown sugar
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200g grated carrots
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150ml vegetable oil
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3 large eggs
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2 teaspoons cinnamon
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½ teaspoon mixed spice
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
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200g full-fat cream cheese
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75g softened unsalted butter
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100g icing sugar
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
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Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
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Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin.
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Whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla.
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Fold in the grated carrots.
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Add the flour and spices, mixing gently until combined.
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Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
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Allow the cake to cool completely.
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Beat the butter with icing sugar until smooth, then briefly beat in the chilled cream cheese and vanilla.
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Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
Baking tools you'll need
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Round cake tin: For creating a beautifully shaped cake.
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Box grater: Makes preparing fresh carrots simple.
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Mixing bowls: Ideal for cake batter and frosting.
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Silicone spatula: Perfect for folding and spreading.
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Cake stand or serving plate: For presenting your finished bake.
Our top tip: A simple ceramic cake stand can turn an everyday homemade cake into a lovely centrepiece for autumn afternoon tea.
6. Cinnamon Apple & Oat Cookies
Looking for an easy autumn baking recipe that doesn't require hours in the kitchen?
These cinnamon apple and oat cookies are simple to prepare, packed with cosy flavours and perfect alongside a cup of tea.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 12-15 minutes
Makes: 12 cookies
Ingredients
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125g plain flour
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100g rolled oats
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100g softened unsalted butter
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100g light brown sugar
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1 large egg
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1 small apple, peeled and finely diced
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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Pinch of salt
Method
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Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line two baking trays with baking parchment.
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Cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
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Beat in the egg.
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Stir in the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
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Gently fold in the finely diced apple.
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Scoop tablespoons of dough onto the prepared trays, leaving space between each cookie.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
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Leave on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Baking tools you'll need
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Baking trays: Essential for evenly baked cookies.
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Baking parchment: Helps prevent sticking.
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Mixing bowl: For combining the cookie dough.
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Airtight storage container: Helps keep your cookies fresh.
Our top tip: Display your freshly baked cookies in a beautiful glass jar once completely cooled. It's a practical storage solution that also adds a cosy touch to your kitchen.
7. Homemade Gingerbread Loaf Cake
Filled with warming ginger, cinnamon and rich brown sugar, this easy gingerbread loaf cake is perfect for chilly autumn afternoons.
Enjoy a slice with your favourite hot drink or serve it as a comforting dessert.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 45-55 minutes
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
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225g plain flour
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100g light brown sugar
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100g unsalted butter
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100g golden syrup
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150ml milk
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1 large egg
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2 teaspoons ground ginger
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
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Pinch of salt
Method
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Preheat your oven to 170°C (150°C fan).
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Grease and line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin.
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Gently melt the butter, golden syrup and brown sugar in a saucepan, then allow to cool slightly.
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Mix the flour, ginger, cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl.
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Whisk the milk and egg together, then stir into the slightly cooled butter mixture.
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
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Transfer to the prepared loaf tin.
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Bake for 45-55 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
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Leave in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Baking tools you'll need
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Loaf tin: The essential piece of bakeware for this recipe.
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Saucepan: For melting the butter and golden syrup.
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Mixing bowl: To prepare the batter.
Our top tip: Serve slices of gingerbread loaf on a wooden serving board with a few mugs of tea for a beautifully relaxed autumn afternoon.
Essential Baking Tools for Your Autumn Kitchen
Great baking starts with a few reliable kitchen essentials.
Whether you're making your first homemade crumble or you're already a keen baker, having the right equipment can make preparing your favourite autumn recipes easier and more enjoyable.
Our Autumn Baking Essentials Checklist
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Mixing bowls: A kitchen must-have for preparing cakes, biscuits, pastries and desserts.
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Measuring scales and spoons: For precise measurements and reliable results.
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Baking trays: Essential for cookies, biscuits and other oven-baked treats.
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Cake tins and loaf tins: Perfect for seasonal cakes, sponges and homemade loaves.
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Silicone spatulas: Ideal for scraping bowls, folding batter and spreading mixtures.
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Rolling pins: Essential for pastries, dough and cinnamon rolls.
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Cooling racks: Help baked goods cool properly.
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Oven gloves: Protect your hands when handling hot baking equipment.
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Serving plates and cake stands: Add a beautiful finishing touch to your homemade creations.
Tips for Creating the Perfect Cosy Autumn Baking Day
Autumn baking isn't just about the finished treat. It's about enjoying the process and creating those little moments that make home feel special.
Set the Mood
Put on your favourite playlist, make a warm drink and prepare your ingredients before you begin.
A tidy kitchen, a beautiful mixing bowl and a cosy atmosphere can make an ordinary afternoon feel like a special occasion.
Get Organised Before You Bake
Measure your ingredients, prepare your bakeware and set out your utensils before starting.
This simple habit, known as mise en place, helps make baking more relaxed and organised.
Embrace Seasonal Flavours
Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy ingredients such as apples, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and caramel.
These warming flavours are delicious in everything from cakes and cookies to puddings and pastries.
Make Your Bakes Look Beautiful
Presentation is part of the fun!
Use ceramic serving plates, glass storage jars, wooden boards and cake stands to display your homemade treats.
A few thoughtful kitchen accessories can make even the simplest bake feel a little more special.