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The Best Apple Desserts

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If you're looking for the Best Apple Desserts, you've come to the right place! Apples reign supreme this time of year, and for good reason! They're so versatile and, at peak flavor, who can resist?

Collage of Apple Desserts.

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It's apple season, and everyone is looking for the Best Apple Desserts! Here are 10+ Apple Desserts to make good use of all those wonderful apples!

If you enjoy this roundup, check out my posts with 30+ Fall Desserts, 40+ Unique Desserts, and 25+ Thanksgiving Desserts!

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Gala apples with goldenrod in front of a white background.

Which Apples are Best for Baking?

With so many varieties of apple at the store (and the orchard!), which ones are best for baking? First of all, make sure the apples you're choosing are ripe and firm, with no bruising or damage from pests. The best ones will smell lovely, too!

My personal favorite apple varieties for baking are Cortland, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Jonathan. These varieties will hold up well for all your Fall bakes! Keep in mind that some varieties are sweeter than others, so have a taste before baking! My go-to apple combination for pies is the sweet Gala paired with the tart Granny Smith for well-founded flavor!

Apple Dessert Recipes

Without further ado, here are some fantastic Apple Desserts to get you started this apple season!

Pies & Tarts

What is Fall without apple pie?? I'm a fan of the classic as much as the next person, but you'll find that each of these recipes has a little twist on the classic apple pie!

Apple Date Pie
This Apple Date Pie is a twist on tradition! Here, a classic flaky pastry crust is filled with spiced apples and the caramel flavors of dates and brown sugar!
Check out this recipe!
Top view of baked Apple Date Pie.
Rosemary Almond Apple Galette
This Rosemary Almond Apple Galette is a rustic beauty! Its sweet pastry is filled with homemade almond paste, apples, and rosemary sugar!
Check out this recipe!
Top view of Rosemary Almond Apple Galette with two scoops of ice cream and chopped almonds on top.
Apple Maple Custard Tart
A classic pastry shell filled with maple custard and topped with sliced apples. Refreshingly Fall!
Check out this recipe!
Apple and Maple Custard Tart

Cakes & Cupcakes

Apples and apple cider are such a fantastic addition to cakes and cupcakes! That warm, cozy flavor is just what you need in the Fall months!

Apple Upside Down Cake
This Apple Upside Down Cake is a spiced cake that starts with sliced apples and cider caramel on the bottom, but once the cake it inverted, they're on top! Fantastic served warm or at room temperature, as-is or with a scoop of ice cream and salted caramel sauce!
Check out this recipe!
Apple cider caramel being poured onto ice cream on top of a slice of Apple Upside Down Cake.
Apple Cider Cupcakes with Cranberry Buttercream
These Apple Cider Cupcakes with Cranberry Buttercream are moist (sorry not sorry), delicious apple cider cakes topped with sweet-tart cranberry Swiss meringue buttercream. Fall in cupcake form! <3
Check out this recipe!
Caramel Apple Angel Food Cake
This Caramel Apple Angel Food Cake is a light, fluffy apple angel food cake drizzled with a caramel glaze and homemade salted caramel sauce, then topped with cinnamon apple chips!
Check out this recipe!
Partially eaten slice of Caramel Apple Angel Food Cake on a white plate.
Irish Apple Cake
This Irish Apple Cake is a tender cinnamon-spiced cake with baked apples and a crisp streusel top. This cake is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and a lovely treat for Fall, St. Patrick's Day, or anytime you're craving an apple treat! If you'd like, you can serve it with my Whiskey Caramel Sauce!
Check out this recipe!
Caramel being drizzled from a spoon onto a slice of Irish Apple Cake on a white plate.

More Apple Recipes!

Last, but definitely not least! These recipes don't fit into a category, but they're not to be missed! The Caramel Apple Shortcake is definitely one of my faves!

Caramel Apple Cookies
These Caramel Apple Cookies are crisp, buttery, and sandwiched with dulce de leche!
Check out this recipe!
Caramel Apple Cookies with bite on a white plate.
Apple Crisp Macchiato Bars
These Apple Crisp Macchiato Bars have a crisp espresso shortbread crust topped with an apple-cinnamon filling, then with a crunchy cinnamon-espresso topping! These bars are so cozy and delicious!
Check out this recipe!
Side view of sliced Apple Crisp Macchiato Bars with apples in the background.
Apple Shortcake
This Apple Shortcake is cornmeal buttermilk biscuits with caramel baked apples, cinnamon-cardamom whipped cream, and homemade salted caramel sauce!
Check out this recipe!
Apple Shortcake drizzled with salted caramel sauce on a white plate.
Apple Cider Donuts
These Apple Cider Donuts are tender and flavorful, thanks to the addition of applesauce and boiled apple cider. Glazed with apple cider glaze!
Check out this recipe!
Cranberry Apple Crumble
This Cranberry Apple Crumble is the perfect blend of tart cranberries, sweet apples, and warm spices topped with a buttery crumble topping! Make this crumble to impress your guests or as a casual treat for yourself. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you're craving a cozy dessert!
Check out this recipe!
Closeup of small white bowl filled with Cranberry Apple Crumble topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Caramel Apple Cream Puffs
These Caramel Apple Cream Puffs are a classic cream puff filled with caramel pastry cream and apple preserves, then drizzled with homemade salted caramel sauce!
Check out this recipe!
Caramel Apple Cream Puffs
Caramel Apple Marshmallows
These Caramel Apple Marshmallows are fluffy apple marshmallows dipped in homemade salted caramel! Drizzle them with chocolate, coat them in chopped peanuts, or enjoy them plain. They're the ultimate fall treat!
Check out this recipe!
An apple marshmallow being dipped into a white bowl of salted caramel, with caramel dripping from the marshmallow.
Apple and Blackberry Crumble
This Apple and Blackberry Crumble has flavorful blackberries and sliced apples topped with a crunchy crumble topping! Served warm or at room temperature (my favorite is with a scoop of ice cream!), this dessert is so cozy!
Check out this recipe!
Top view of Blackberry and Apple Crumble.
Apple Glaze
This Apple Glaze, deeply flavored with reduced apple cider, is the perfect way to enhance breakfasts, desserts, and more with autumn flavor! In just a few minutes and with just TWO ingredients, you'll have a simple and delicious glaze to turn your recipes into extraordinary fall treats!
Check out this recipe!
A silver spoon drizzling Apple Glaze into a small white bowl.

So there you have it! I can't wait to add more apple recipes to this list! In the meantime, if you've made one of these recipes, I'd love to hear about it! A quick rating/comment on the recipe itself or a tag on Instagram means the world to me! Happy baking!

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Updated 9/5/2024

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