More Amazing Apple Desserts

Apple desserts bring warmth and comfort to any fall gathering. From classic pies to unique treats, these sweet creations showcase the versatile fruit’s natural flavors.

The best apple desserts blend tart and sweet notes with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

You’ll find many ways to enjoy apples in dessert form. Some recipes highlight fresh apple slices, while others incorporate cooked apples into cakes, crisps, and pastries.

Whether you prefer traditional favorites or creative new takes, there’s an apple dessert to satisfy every craving.

1. Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust

Apple pie with cheddar cheese crust is a unique twist on a classic dessert. The savory cheese adds depth to the sweet apples, creating a delicious flavor combo.

To make the crust, mix flour, salt, sugar, and grated cheddar cheese. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Add ice water and form into a dough. Chill for at least 30 minutes before using.

For the filling, toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and spices. Pour into the crust and top with more cheese if desired. Bake until golden brown.

This pie is best served warm. The melty cheese and tender apples make for a comforting treat you’ll love.

2. Caramel Apple Crumb Bars

Caramel apple crumb bars are a tasty treat that combines sweet apples, gooey caramel, and a crumbly topping.

To make these bars, you’ll need flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, and salt for the crust and topping.

Press half the crumb mixture into a baking pan for the base. Add a layer of spiced apple filling and drizzle with caramel. Sprinkle the remaining crumbs on top.

Bake the bars until golden brown. Let them cool before cutting into squares. These bars are perfect for fall gatherings or as a comforting dessert any time of year.

3. Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding

Apple cinnamon bread pudding is a comforting fall dessert you’ll love. It combines cubed bread, apples, and a creamy custard.

To make it, you’ll need bread, apples, eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and spices.

Cut the bread into small pieces and mix with chopped apples in a baking dish.

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the bread and apples.

Bake the pudding until it’s golden brown and set. The result is a warm, gooey treat with a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

You can serve it plain or with a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

4. Classic Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is a beloved dessert that’s easy to make and always satisfying. You’ll love the warm, gooey cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a crispy oat mixture.

To make apple crisp, slice your favorite apples and toss them with sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of flour. Pour this mixture into a baking dish.

For the topping, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter. Sprinkle it over the apples. Bake until the apples are soft and the topping is golden brown.

Apple crisp takes less time to prepare than apple pie but delivers similar flavors. It’s perfect for fall but can be enjoyed year-round.

Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

5. French Apple Tarte Tatin

This classic French dessert flips the traditional apple pie on its head. You cook the apples first in a caramel sauce, then top them with pastry and bake.

The result is a gorgeous upside-down tart with caramelized apples and flaky crust.

To make it, you’ll need firm apples, butter, sugar, and puff pastry.

Start by cooking apple slices with butter and sugar in a skillet until they caramelize. Arrange them in a pretty pattern, then cover with pastry dough.

Bake until golden, then flip it over to serve. The gooey caramel apples on top make for an impressive presentation.

It’s best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

6. Apple and Walnut Strudel

Apple and walnut strudel is a delightful treat that combines sweet apples with crunchy walnuts. You’ll love the flaky pastry that wraps around the filling.

To make this dessert, you’ll need to prepare a mixture of diced apples, chopped walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon. The filling is then spread onto thin sheets of pastry dough.

Roll the pastry carefully to create layers of flaky goodness. Brush the top with egg wash for a golden finish. Bake until crisp and enjoy the aroma that fills your kitchen.

This strudel tastes great warm or at room temperature. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

7. Apple Fritter Bread

Apple Fritter Bread brings the classic flavors of apple fritters into a delicious loaf. You’ll love this sweet and cinnamony bread packed with chunks of apple.

To make it, mix butter, sugar, eggs, and milk. Add flour and baking soda. Fold in chopped apples tossed with cinnamon and brown sugar.

Pour half the batter into a loaf pan. Sprinkle with more apples and cinnamon-sugar. Add the rest of the batter and top with remaining apples.

Bake at 350°F for about an hour. Once cooled, drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze.

The result is a moist, apple-filled treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.

8. Spiced Apple Cider Donuts

Spiced apple cider donuts are a fall favorite that will fill your home with delightful aromas. You can make these treats easily in your own kitchen.

Start by reducing apple cider to concentrate its flavor. Mix it with flour, baking powder, baking soda, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Add melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla to create a moist batter. Pour the mixture into a greased donut pan and bake until golden brown.

For extra flavor, coat the warm donuts in cinnamon sugar. Enjoy these sweet, spiced treats with a mug of hot apple cider for the perfect autumn snack.

9. Apple Pecan Cobbler

Apple pecan cobbler is a tasty fall dessert. You’ll love the mix of sweet apples and crunchy pecans.

To make it, you first arrange apple slices in a baking dish. Then sprinkle them with sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.

Next, you make a simple batter with flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, egg, and melted butter to this mix.

Pour the batter over the apples and top with more pecans. Bake until golden brown and bubbly.

This cobbler is best served warm. You can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for extra indulgence.

10. Salted Caramel Apple Galette

A salted caramel apple galette is a tasty twist on classic apple pie. You’ll love its rustic charm and easy preparation.

To make one, roll out pie dough into a circle. Place sliced apples mixed with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in the center. Fold the edges over partway.

Bake the galette until golden brown. Drizzle warm salted caramel sauce over the top before serving.

The sweet-salty combo pairs perfectly with the tender apples and flaky crust.

This dessert looks fancy but doesn’t require special skills. It’s a great choice for beginners who want to impress guests.

11. Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Apple and Blackberry Crumble is a tasty treat that combines sweet apples with tart blackberries. The fruit filling is topped with a crumbly mixture of flour, butter, and sugar.

To make it, you’ll need to peel and chop apples, then mix them with blackberries. Place the fruit in a baking dish and cover it with the crumble topping.

The dessert bakes in the oven until the fruit is soft and the topping is golden brown.

It’s best served warm, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

This comforting dessert is perfect for chilly evenings. It’s easy to make and uses simple ingredients you might already have at home.

12. Apple Upside-Down Cake

Apple Upside-Down Cake is a delightful twist on the classic pineapple version. You’ll love how the caramelized apples create a gooey, sweet topping when the cake is inverted.

To make this cake, start by arranging apple slices in a pan with melted butter and brown sugar. Pour the cake batter over the apples and bake until golden brown.

Once cooled, flip the cake onto a plate to reveal the beautiful apple design on top. The cake itself is moist and flavored with cinnamon, complementing the caramel-apple topping perfectly.

This dessert is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

It’s an impressive yet easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for fall gatherings or cozy nights at home.

13. Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka)

Swedish Apple Cake, or Äppelkaka, is a tasty treat you’ll love. This dessert combines tender apples with a soft, buttery cake.

To make it, you’ll need apples, flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. Some recipes add cinnamon for extra flavor.

Start by peeling and slicing the apples. Then, make the cake batter by mixing the dry and wet ingredients.

Pour the batter into a greased pan and top it with the apple slices. Bake until golden brown and the apples are soft.

Serve your Äppelkaka warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

It’s perfect for cozy fall evenings or any time you crave a comforting apple dessert.

14. Maple Glazed Apple Bundt Cake

This apple bundt cake is a tasty treat you’ll love. It’s moist and full of apple chunks. The cake has cinnamon and other spices that make it smell great.

To make it, mix oil, yogurt, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, and spices. Fold in chopped apples.

Pour the batter into a greased bundt pan and bake.

Once the cake cools, top it with a sweet maple glaze. Melt butter and maple syrup together to make the glaze. Pour it over the cake for extra flavor.

This dessert is perfect for fall gatherings or any time you want a yummy apple treat.

15. Apple Cider Cupcakes

Apple cider cupcakes are a tasty fall treat. They combine the sweet flavor of apples with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

To make these cupcakes, you’ll need apple cider, flour, sugar, eggs, and spices. The apple cider gets reduced to concentrate its flavor.

Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine them. Pour the batter into cupcake liners and bake.

Top the cooled cupcakes with cinnamon brown sugar frosting for extra sweetness.

These cupcakes are perfect for autumn parties or as an after-dinner dessert.

Essential Baking Techniques

Mastering a few key skills will take your apple desserts to the next level. These techniques will help you create delicious treats every time.

Choosing the Right Apples

Pick apples that hold their shape when baked. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn work well in pies and cakes. For a softer texture, try Golden Delicious or Jonagold.

Mix sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor. Aim for 2-3 varieties in one dessert.

Cut apples into even sizes for consistent baking. Slices about 1/4 inch thick are ideal for most recipes.

Toss cut apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. This also adds a bright flavor to your dessert.

Perfecting Pie Crusts

Use cold butter and ice water for a flaky crust. Cut the butter into small cubes and chill before mixing.

Don’t overwork the dough. Mix just until it comes together to avoid a tough crust.

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling. This helps prevent shrinking during baking.

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface. Turn it often to keep it from sticking.

Brush the bottom crust with egg white before filling. This creates a barrier that keeps the crust crisp.

Flavor Enhancements

Adding extra ingredients can take your apple desserts to the next level. The right spices and mix-ins bring out the natural sweetness of apples and create more complex flavors.

Spices That Complement Apples

Cinnamon is a classic apple pairing, but don’t stop there.

Try adding nutmeg for warmth and depth. A pinch of allspice brings a hint of clove and pepper.

Ginger adds a zesty kick that works well in apple pies and crisps.

For a unique twist, add cardamom to your apple desserts. Its citrusy, minty flavor complements apples nicely.

Don’t forget vanilla – a splash of extract or seeds from a vanilla bean pod enhances the fruity sweetness.

Mix and match these spices to create your own signature apple dessert blend.

Incorporating Nuts and Caramel

Nuts add crunch and richness to apple desserts.

Chopped walnuts or pecans work great in apple cakes and muffins.

Try sprinkling sliced almonds on top of an apple tart before baking.

Caramel and apples are a match made in heaven.

Drizzle warm caramel sauce over apple pie or mix caramel bits into apple crisp topping.

For an easy treat, dip apple slices in melted caramel and roll in chopped nuts.

You can also add a layer of caramel to the bottom of an apple upside-down cake for a gooey, delicious topping once it’s inverted.