When autumn arrives, nothing satisfies quite like a delicious apple dessert. Whether you prefer sweet or tart flavors, apples provide a versatile base for many treats.
From comforting apple pie to creative caramel apple cobbler, this array of apple desserts will surely delight any palate.
Appalachian Apple Stack Cake
An emblem of celebration, this six-layered cake is both rich and deeply flavorful. Apple butter infused between layers of spice cake makes this dessert a party in itself.
BA’s Best Apple Pie
The key to this towering pie’s deliciousness is reducing the filling to a syrupy consistency. This technique concentrates the apple flavor, creating a perfect balance of juiciness and sweetness in every bite.
Apple-Walnut Upside-Down Cake
This upside-down cake by Claire Saffitz is nothing short of extraordinary. Using a melon baller for apple coring ensures a beautiful presentation.
A glaze of caramel and walnuts sets this cake apart, offering a contrast in textures that is utterly satisfying.
Caramel Apple Breakfast Cobbler
Great for busy mornings, this make-ahead cobbler combines caramel-coated apples and a buttery crumble.
Serve this warm cobbler with a dollop of yogurt or whipped cream for a delightful breakfast or brunch option.
Fall Fruit Galette
This rustic galette combines apples with other seasonal fruits, like pears and plums.
Paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, this easy dessert is a perfect fall treat.
Suspiciously Cheesy Apple Crumb Bars
Cheez-Its in the crust provide a surprising twist to these crumb bars. The result is a unique, toasty flavor that complements the sweet apple filling.
Blind taste-tests prove that the cheesy addition is subtle but enhances the overall taste.
Easiest Caramel Apple Clafoutis
Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples are ideal for this clafoutis due to their firm texture and tartness.
The caramel provides a sweet balance to the tangy apples, creating a delightful dessert.
Salted Caramel Apple Cookies
These cookies mirror the flavors of a caramel apple but are easier to eat.
A sprinkle of salt on the caramel adds complexity, making each bite intriguing and satisfying.
Braised and Brûléed Apples with Ice Cream
Caramelized sugar atop tender braised apples recreates the texture of crème brûlée.
Paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this dessert provides a sophisticated twist on poached fruit.
Cinnamon Apple Crumb Pie
Simple yet impressive, this pie features a golden crumble topping that is less complex than lattice.
Cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of the apples, making each bite warm and comforting.
Vanilla Bean Tarte Tatin
A classic French dessert, this tarte tatin uses frozen puff pastry for simplicity.
The rich vanilla bean flavor pairs beautifully with caramelized apples, making for a sophisticated yet easy dessert.
Apple and Fig Custard
Combining earthy figs with tart apples, this custard offers a balance of flavors that is both elegant and comforting.
Adding fresh cream over each serving elevates this dessert to a luxurious experience.
Caramel Apple Snacking Cake
This easy cake requires only a large bowl and a baking dish.
The caramel sauce, made in a small skillet, adds a rich, sweet topping to the moist cake.
Apple-Cheddar Pie
Sharp cheddar cheese adds a savory note to this classic apple pie.
For those unfamiliar, pairing apple pie with cheddar is a gastronomic delight worth discovering.
Apple Pandowdy
Relying on pre-made pastry, this forgiving apple dessert is perfect for casual bakers.
Cornstarch thickens the filling, and an egg wash creates a deliciously golden, crispy top.
Yeasted Apple Coffee Cake
Coffee cake isn’t just for breakfast; it can be enjoyed any time of day.
This cake pairs well with coffee and is versatile enough for various occasions.
Apple and Honey Rice Kugel
Inspired by Southern rice pudding, this kugel is enriched with apple butter and custard.
It’s a comforting dessert that nods to Jewish culinary traditions and Southern flavors.
Glazed and Flaky Apple Tart
Like an apple pie, this tart is 70% fruit with minimal prep required.
The flaky crust and tender apple filling make this a convenient yet impressive dessert.
Apple-Cheddar-Rosemary Beignets
Combining apples and cheddar in a New Orleans-style beignet, this dessert is a flavorful delight.
Rosemary adds an unexpected herbaceous note, creating a complex taste profile.
Apple Butter Spice Cake with Cinnamon Crumble
Perfect for sharing, this loaf cake features a cinnamon crumble topping that adds texture.
It’s an ideal treat for welcoming new neighbors or sharing with friends.
DIY Apple Mille-Feuille
Thinly sliced apples are layered with puff pastry and a syrupy mixture.
This dessert can be served with meals or as a standalone treat.
Dutch Apple Pie
A fusion of pie, crumble, and crisp, this Dutch apple pie features a cinnamon-tinged streusel topping.
The mixture of textures makes every bite interesting and satisfying.
Apple-Hazelnut Rye Cake
Rye flour adds a nutty flavor to this apple dessert.
Whole grain flour can be substituted if preferred, but rye gives a deep, earthy taste.
Buttery German Apple Cake
Using the hasselback method, this cake’s apples are thinly sliced but held together.
The result is a visually appealing and delicious apple dessert.
Apple-Rose Pie
Rose water, once a common flavoring, pairs beautifully with apples in this pie.
This floral note adds a sophisticated twist to a traditional dessert.
Sesame Oat Apple Crisp
Using Brown Swerve as a sweetener makes this a lower-calorie option.
Cranberries add a tart contrast to the sweet apples and oat topping.
Naked Apple Tart
This tart features a mix of steamed and baked apples for a varied texture.
The contrast between tender and firm apples makes each bite unique.
BA’s Best Apple Cider Doughnuts
Apple butter enhances the texture and flavor of these doughnuts.
Perfectly paired with a hot mug of apple cider, these doughnuts are a fall favorite.
Country Mince Pie
This pie is a nod to classic recipes and features a tender, flaky crust.
The rich filling and perfect crust make it a timeless dessert.
Miso Caramel Apple
White miso adds a delicate flavor to this caramel apple treat.
This unique twist on a classic provides a nuanced culinary experience.
Oatmeal Baked Apples
Gluten-free and topped with oats, dried cherries, and seeds, this is a wholesome dessert option.
Italian-inspired versions with prunes, almonds, and Amaretto offer an alternative flavor profile.
Classic Applesauce
Low in cholesterol and carbohydrates, this applesauce is a simple and healthy dessert.
Requiring only apples, a cinnamon stick, lemon juice, and a vanilla bean, it’s easy to make.
Apple and Nut-Butter Puff Pastry Tarts
Frozen puff pastry makes this dessert quick and convenient.
The combination of apples and nut butter offers a rich and satisfying flavor.
Apple Caramels
Adapt the recipe by substituting nuts or omitting them altogether.
These caramels make a perfect autumn treat.
Mickey D’s–Style Fried Apple Pies
Chef Dale Talde re-creates this nostalgic favorite using store-bought roti paratha.
Fried to crispy perfection, these pies are a delightful indulgence.
Spiced Bundt Cake with Apple Caramel Sauce
Cream of tartar in the caramel sauce prevents sugar from crystallizing.
Drizzled over the bundt cake, this caramel sauce is the perfect finishing touch.
Lemon Cake with Fruit
Though versatile for any season, this cake shines with thinly sliced apples.
It’s adaptable, working well with various fruits like pears, stone fruits, and berries.
From classic pies to innovative twists, apple desserts offer a versatile and delightful way to celebrate the fall season.
Whether you crave the simplicity of baked apples or the complexity of a spice cake, these recipes ensure every apple is used to its fullest potential.
Source: Bonappetit