16 Apple Desserts That'll Get You in the Mood for Fall

From Cakes to Pies

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 09/30/20
french apple tart
The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

Apple desserts are a treat any time of the year. What can compare to the aroma of homemade cinnamon-spiced apple crisp or pie?

Crisp, sweet varieties of apples are best for eating out of hand, while others are best in baked goods. Some excellent baking apples include Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Fuji, Cortland, Empire, and Gala.

Apples are also versatile and lend themselves to a variety of flavors. You might try changing up the spices or adding a different flavor to your favorite apple cake or baked apples. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves are classic spices to use in apple desserts. Some complementary flavorings include lemon, Calvados or apple brandy, brown sugar, vanilla, maple syrup or flavoring, and caramel.

  • 01 of 16

    French Apple Tart With Pastry Cream

    french apple tart
    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

    Impress your guests and show off your baking skills with this amazing French apple tart. The tart is built with layers of pastry, vanilla pastry cream, sliced apples, and an apricot glaze.

  • 02 of 16

    Baked Apple Crisp Dessert

    apple crisp dessert
    Diana Rattray

    If you long for a fresh-baked apple crisp, this recipe is an excellent choice. The simple buttery topping makes it a super easy preparation. You probably have all of the baking ingredients on hand—all you need to get are some apples.

  • 03 of 16

    Classic French Caramelized Apples

    caramelized apples in a bowl
    The Spruce

    Caramelized apples are an excellent choice when you need a great dessert in a hurry. The pan juices are simmered with apple cider to make a delightful sauce. Spoon the apples over ice cream or serve them with a drizzling of cream.

  • 04 of 16

    Fried Apples

    fried apples with whipped cream
    The Spruce

    These Southern-style fried apples can double as a side dish or dessert. Serve them along with pork chops or ham or add a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of ice cream to make them a delightful dessert.

    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Spiced Apple Oatmeal Cake

    apple cake is served
    Diana Rattray

    If you are looking for a fresh apple cake with loads of flavor and texture, your search is over. This apple oatmeal cake is flavored with warm spices, and the texture comes from oats, pecans, and raisins.

  • 06 of 16

    Apple Streusel Bundt Cake

    Apple Streusel Bundt Cake

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    This moist apple cake filled with a mixture of chopped apples, spiced pecan, and brown sugar streusel, and drizzled with vanilla icing is a delicious dessert that's sure to impress.

  • 07 of 16

    Applesauce Cookies

    Apple Sauce Cookies

    The Spruce / Jennifer Perillo

    If you're craving a cookie recipe, these applesauce cookies are it. Unlike the other cookie recipe on this list, this is a lighter, more neutral recipe—no raisins, not nuts. Just a subtle flavor of apple and cinnamon, baked into a cake-like texture. They're perfect for sipping with a cup of Early Grey tea. Give these a try, and you'll be glad you did.

  • 08 of 16

    Slow Cooker Applesauce

    instant pot applesauce
    Diana Rattray

    The slow cooker makes this cinnamon-spiced applesauce one of the easiest cooking projects you can undertake,

    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Crock Pot Caramel Apples

    caramel apples
    The Spruce Eats/Nita West

    These dipped apples are easier than you might think. All you need is a bag of caramels, apples, and chopped peanuts. The apples are always a hit, so you might want to make a double batch.

  • 10 of 16

    Hand-Held Apple Pies

    Hand Held Apple Pies
    Diana Rattray

    These single-serve hand-held apple pies are made with buttery pastry and a chopped apple filling. Enjoy one or two of these little pies.

  • 11 of 16

    Apple Cranberry Cobbler

    Apple Cranberry Cobbler
    Apple Cranberry Cobbler.

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    We used a combination of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples in this cobbler, which pair nicely with the tartness of cranberries for a festive and sweet-tart dessert that is not hard to put together.

  • 12 of 16

    Baked Apple Pudding Cake

    Baked Apple Pudding
    Diana Rattray

    The brown sugar syrup makes this cinnamon-spiced baked apple pudding cake gooey and delicious.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    Apple Crumble

    Baked apple crumble served with ice cream.

    The Spruce/Diana Chistruga

    This amazing apple crumble recipe is impressive and delicious but incredibly easy to prepare, requiring few ingredients. Consider this treat for a holiday dessert, or the next potluck.

  • 14 of 16

    Hot Apple Pie Cocktail

    Hot Apple Pie Cocktail Recipe

    For those who prefer to drink their dessert, try an apple cocktail. Change up your dessert menu with this fabulous hot apple pie cocktail.

  • 15 of 16

    Deep-Fried Apple Fritters

    apple fritters with powdered sugar
    The Spruce

    These deep-fried apple fritters feature fresh chopped fruit in a simple fritter batter. Sprinkle the fritters with powdered sugar or serve them with maple syrup. The fritters make a fabulous dessert or breakfast treat.

  • 16 of 16

    Danish Apple Pancake Balls (Aebleskiver)

    Aebleskiver
    Getty Images/ClarkandCompany

    The word aebleskiver is Danish for "apple slices." The light little pancake balls are made with the addition of chopped apples and cinnamon. They are totally worth buying a special aebleskiver pan.