21 Of Grandma's Favorite Apple Desserts

These dessert recipes are the apple of Grandma's eye.

By

Published on September 5, 2024

Southern Living Baked Cinnamon Apples in a pink bowl — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When Grandma has apples in her kitchen during the fall, we bet she's going to be making at least one dessert with the fresh fruit. There's so many delicious desserts that star apples like Old-Fashioned Apple Pie, Fresh Apple Cake, Classic Apple Cobbler, and more. Plus, many of these apple desserts can also be enjoyed for breakfast or as an afternoon treat.

01 of 21

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Perhaps the most classic dessert that's made with apples, this old-fashioned pie recipe makes use of 4 pounds of fresh apples. You probably already have all of the other ingredients on hand.

02 of 21

Apple Dumplings

Southern Living Apple Dumplings on a plate to serve topped with whipped cream — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Grandma loved having little baker friends in her kitchen, and a dish like these apple dumplings is perfect for that. While you make the buttery syrup, younger helpers can roll the apples slices up in crescent roll dough. They taste like miniature apple pies, but they're easier to make and extra delicious thanks to a secret ingredient in the sauce.

03 of 21

Fresh Apple Cake

Fresh Apple Cake — Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living

No mixer is needed to whip up this cake that's been a reader favorite since it was first published in 2001.

04 of 21

Apple Turnovers

Southern Living Apple Turnovers eating the turnovers — Jessica Furniss

Grandma always appreciated a smart shortcut, and these apple turnovers have that—frozen puff pastry makes the crust on these turnovers quick and easy. The filling is homemade, so you can mix and match spices to your liking.

05 of 21

Classic Apple Cobbler

Classic Apple Cobbler Recipe — Stephen DeVries; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Cobblers aren't just for summertime fruits. This apple version can be served all fall long.

06 of 21

Apple Fritters

Southern Living Apple Fritters on a platter to serve with extra cinnamon sugar. — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Grandma loved these little fried balls of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar. They cook quickly, as the whole recipe goes from start to finish in just over 30 minutes. So she was always ready to make some of these when the family came over for a visit.

07 of 21

Applesauce Cake

Southern Living Applesauce Cake cut and ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Grandma didn't just love to eat applesauce. She loved to bake with it, too. And applesauce cake, with warm cinnamon spice and an apple-y buttercream frosting, will instantly remind you of her.

08 of 21

Fried Apple Pies

Fried Apple Pies — Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

While you can use store-bought dough as a shortcut for fried apple pies, we recommend making it from scratch just like Grandma does. Cinnamon sugar is the perfect finishing touch.

09 of 21

Apple Bread

Apple Bread — Micah A. Leal

While this apple bread can be enjoyed for dessert, it also makes a delightful breakfast or afternoon snack.

10 of 21

Apple Stack Cake

Apple Stack Cake — Photo: Victor Protasi; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Grandma knows that the secret to the best apple stack cake is that it gets better as it sits. We recommend making it 2 to 3 days in advance so you can allow it to "ripen" at room temperature.

11 of 21

Apple Spice Cake

Apple Spice Cake — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

This no-fuss cake comes together in just one bowl and is then baked in a springform pan.

12 of 21

Apple Chess Pie

Apple Chess Pie in a brown pie dish — Photo: James Ransom; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Classic chess pie is given a fall makeover with the addition of slices of fresh Granny Smith apples.

13 of 21

Apple Cinnamon Bread

Apple Cinnamon Bread — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

What makes Grandma's homemade bread even more delicious? Adding a ribbon of apples covered in cinnamon and brown sugar to the mix.

14 of 21

Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Easy apple pie recipe, best apple pie recipe, apple pie — Photographer: Luca Trovato; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett Miller, Food Stylist: Rori Trovato

Though we love traditional apple pies, one that's made in Grandma's cast-iron skillet can be just as delicious.

15 of 21

Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Homemade caramel sauce is the finishing touch that takes this apple coffee cake from good to great.

16 of 21

Apple Rose Tart

Apple Rose Tart — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Grandma knows that serving apples in a tart allows the fruit to truly shine. Our recipe uses Honeycrisp apples, but you can use any crisp variety.

17 of 21

Apple Pie Cake

Apple Pie Cake — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

When you can't decide what dessert to make with fall apples, this recipe is the best of both apple pie and apple cake in one dish.

18 of 21

Apple Bread Pudding

Apple Bread Pudding — Helen Norman

Cinnamon-raisin bread and apples come together to create fall's favorite bread pudding.

19 of 21

Apple- Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake — Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Ginny Branch

This apple bundt cake not only features a decadent Praline Frosting, but it's also filled with a Cream Cheese Filling.

20 of 21

Caramel Apple Cake

Caramel Apple Cake — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Grandma knows that caramel and apples are one of fall's most dynamic duos. This cake combines both to create one showstopping dessert.

21 of 21

Warm Cinnamon Apples

Southern Living Baked Cinnamon Apples in a pink bowl — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Whether enjoyed alone or alongside a couple spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream, this simple apple dessert is hard to beat.

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