26 Apple Dessert Recipes Too Tempting to Turn Down

By Mary Allen Perry and Jennifer Beeler
August 12, 2011
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick
Apple pie is a dessert classic. Our editors love apple desserts in general, and here they share their favorite recipes for sweetening up your life with this tempting fruit. For twist on that classic pie, enjoy our recipes for the Easy Skillet Apple Pie—you’ll love its crunchy crust—or the Blackberry-Apple Pie, which is a delicious mix of sweet and tart. One of our most popular recipes is the one for Fried Apple Pies. You’ll even have enough that you can freeze the leftovers for later. For an apple showstopper, make the Apple-Cinnamon Dutch Baby, one of the most amazing apple desserts ever served fresh out of the oven. However you slice them, these amazing apple desserts will please you to the core.
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Caramel Apple Cake

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cake

This cake is topped with sauteed apple slices and drizzled in a delicious Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce.

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Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Credit: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

With a cream cheese filling and sweet praline frosting, this apple bundt cake is a must-try! Garnish with toasted pecans for a pretty finish and a little crunch.

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Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Credit: Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Making an apple pie has never been so easy. Simply toss apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and spoon over a refrigerated pie crust in the cast-iron skillet. Top with the other crust and bake.

Watch: Easy Skillet Apple Pie

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Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Credit: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Caramelized apples are artfully arranged on top of this rich and delicious cheesecake for a perfect dessert.

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Mocha-Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

Credit: Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Mocha-Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

It's impossible to resist the rich and nutty taste of browned butter. But when used in a frosting on top of Mocha-Apple Cake, it's to-die-for good!

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Apple-Butterscotch Brownies

Credit: Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple-Butterscotch Brownies

Give classic blonde brownies a makeover by adding diced apples to the mix. The apple and butterscotch flavors taste so great together you'll wonder why you never tried this before.

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Apple Hello Dolly Bars

Credit: Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple Hello Dolly Bars

Everyone loves the chocolate, coconut, and pecan layers of Hello Dolly Bars. But throw in a layer of chopped Granny Smiths and people will rave!

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Fresh Apple Cake

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Fresh Apple Cake

Thinly sliced apples create rich, moist layers of fruit within the cake. Frost it with Browned-Butter Frosting (pictured), Dark Chocolate Frosting, or Cream Cheese Frosting.

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Blackberry-Apple Upside-Down Cake

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry-Apple Upside-Down Cake

Tart blackberries and sweet apples caramelize perfectly with layers of buttery cake in this one-pan dessert.

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Caramel Apple-Pear Cobbler with Oatmeal Muffin Crust

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Caramel Apple-Pear Cobbler With Oatmeal Muffin Crust

No rolling pin required for this company-worthy cobbler! Sautée the apples and pears in brown sugar and butter, then pour on the crust and bake.

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Apple-Pecan Pie Cobbler

Recipe: Apple-Pecan Pie Cobbler

Tart Granny Smith apples, sautéed in brown sugar and butter, get topped with the tender, sweet crunch of a pecan-pie muffin batter. Bake this fall favorite in six individual ramekins or a single casserole dish.

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Southern-Style Caramel Apples

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Southern-Style Caramel Apples

Branch out and get creative with some of our favorite caramel apple toppings. We used Southern magnolia twigs; other branches may render the apples inedible. When in doubt, use craft sticks or large pretzel sticks.

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Upside-Down Apple Tart

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Upside-Down Apple Tart

Make a simple, rustic apple tart with Granny Smith apples plus a few other ingredients you probably already have on hand: flour, butter, and salt.

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Caramel Apple Dip

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip

A sugary spin on a cream cheese classic with a crisp bruléed topping.

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Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

This cake is down-home delicious and so easy you won't believe you started from scratch.

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Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

Credit: Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

If the title of this dessert recipe doesn't send you running for the kitchen, then you need to read it again. We've packed all your favorite desserts into one must-try indulgence. Cheesecake, brownies, and caramel apples... What more could you want?

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Caramel Apple Ice-Cream Tarts

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Ice Cream-Tarts

This shortbread crust is the perfect foil for ice cream.

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Apple-Cherry Cobbler with Pinwheel Biscuits

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Apple-Cherry Cobbler with Pinwheel Biscuits

Our twist on apple cobbler is both darling and delectable. Who could resist buttery biscuit dough rolled with almonds and brown sugar baked into a pretty pinwheel crust?

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Blackberry-Apple Pie

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry-Apple Pie

This apple-and-berry-packed pie is extra-tasty because of the white-Cheddar cheese crust that provides a sigh-worthy companion for the sweet fruit filling.

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Anne's Quick Apple Dumpling Bundles

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick, Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Anne's Quick Apple Dumpling Bundles

Short on time? You can still enjoy the flavors of this classic, comforting dessert. To make these apple bundles you only need six ingredients, including refrigerated piecrust, frozen spiced apples, and jarred caramel sauce.

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Double Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust

Recipe: Double Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust

Apple jelly adds richness to the filling of this pie, and apple cider adds even more flavor in the flaky cornmeal crust.

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Fried Apple Pies

Credit: Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Fried Apple Pies

There's enough filling to make a second batch of these delicious pies, or you can freeze it for later. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

It may look like a chore, but this cheesecake tart calls for a relatively straightforward preparation: First, press the crust into the tart pan. Next, mix the cream cheese filling, fill the tart shell, and bake. Finally, gild the pie with sautéed tart apples, and paint them with melted apple jelly for a jewelled effect.

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Apple Stack Cake

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Stack Cake

Use six disposable 8-inch aluminum cake pans to create the layers of this stunning cake. Prepare the filling up to three days before assembling the cake.

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Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints

For these simple, fall treats, use our Easy Apple Butter for the best flavor and texture. In a pinch, store-bought apple butter that has been boiled for 5 minutes (to thicken) may be substituted.

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Apple-Cinnamon Dutch Baby

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Apple-Cinnamon Dutch Baby

Straight from the oven, this puffy, airy pancake will elicit major oohs and aahs from your crowd. Be sure to use low-fat or fat-free milk--the pancake will puff higher. Like a soufflé, it will begin to deflate as soon as it leaves the oven, though that won't affect the flavor.

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By Mary Allen Perry and Jennifer Beeler