Apple desserts are a true delight that bring the warm, comforting flavors of fall into your kitchen no matter the season. From the classic apple pie to innovative treats that incorporate this versatile fruit, there are so many delicious recipes to explore.
Apple Desserts Recipes
The charm of apple desserts lies in their simplicity and the cozy feeling they bring to any meal. Understanding the eagerness of home cooks to try their hands at creating these mouth-watering dishes, I've gathered an amazing list of apple dessert recipes. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, these recipes are designed to guide you step by step in making your own scrumptious creations.
Apple Hand Pies
This Apple Hand Pies recipe is a bite-sized delight that perfectly captures the essence of fall. What makes it truly stand out is the melt-in-your-mouth crust paired with a sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, all gloriously glazed for that extra touch of sweetness.
Its simplicity, combined with a dash of homely charm, makes it a must-try for anyone looking to indulge in the cozy flavors of the season. Plus, the fact that you can have one of these heavenly treats in your hand in just about 30 minutes is simply the icing on the cake, or should we say, the glaze on the pie!
Ingredients for Hand Pies
- 1 box refrigerated pie crust (for two pies), 14.1 ounce
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups diced and peeled apples (about 2 large apples)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 egg white, beaten
Ingredients for the Glaze
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Brown Butter Apple Pie
Explore the delightful twist of the Brown Butter Apple Pie, where classic flavors meet a golden, nutty infusion from browned butter. Each slice of this decadent dessert steals the spotlight with its rich, caramel-like undertones and tender, spiced apples. Truly, this pie is a masterpiece that brings a cozy, irresistible charm to any table it graces!
Ingredients
For the Brown Butter:
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
To Make the Crust:
- ⅔ recipe Brown Butter
- 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling and Assembly:
- 3 lb. mixed apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn), peeled and cut into ½-inch-thick slices
- ⅓ recipe Brown Butter
- 1 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
- 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- ¾ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp. ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp. ground cardamom
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp. turbinado sugar
Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake
Try homespun magic of an Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake, where each slice brims with the comforting whispers of autumnal spices and the warm hug of apple cider. This cake is a beautiful marriage of simplicity and elegance, promising to warm hearts and tantalize taste buds with its sugary, cinnamon-kissed crown and moist, tender crumb. It's a nostalgic nod to festive fall mornings, transformed into a delightful treat that's perfect any day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided, plus more for pan
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for pan
- 2 ¼ cups fresh apple cider
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- ¾ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ¾ tsp. ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp. ground allspice
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
Apple Pie Sorbet
Explore a refreshing twist of an Apple Pie Sorbet, where the classic, cozy flavors of a beloved dessert are given a frosty makeover. Each spoonful is like a crisp autumn breeze, carrying the essence of juicy apples and a whisper of cinnamon dance, offering a delightful escape into a swirl of sweet, chilly bliss. This sorbet is a true example of creativity, turning the apple pie tradition on its head with a scoop of pure, chilled joy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Easy Homemade Applesauce or store-bought applesauce
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- Gingersnaps, crumbled, for serving
Apple-Cranberry Pie
Experience the delightful burst of flavors in the Apple-Cranberry Pie, where tart cranberries mingle brilliantly with sweet apples in a symphony of taste. Wrapped in a flaky, golden crust, each bite of this pie offers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet, making it an irresistible treat for any season.
This heartwarming creation promises to be a standout at any gathering, enchanting palates with its vibrant contrast and homely charm.
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. granulated sugar, divided, plus 1 tbsp. for topping
- 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 2 ¾ lb. apples (we recommend sweeter varieties like Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and/or Braeburn)
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 batches Best Ever Pie Dough
- 1 large egg, beaten
Apple Dessert Pizza
Make a slice of heaven with the Apple Dessert Pizza, a genius mash-up that brings the coziness of apple pie and the playful essence of pizza into one delectable dish. Its soft focaccia base, layered with rich cinnamon butter, luscious apple pie filling, and a delightful crumble, finishes with a drizzle of sweet glaze, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite.
Perfect for any occasion, from a festive gathering to a snug weekend breakfast, this recipe stands as a testament to the joy of inventive baking.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup (237 g) water, warmed (about 105°-110°F)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup (75 g) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
Cinnamon Butter Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Apple Topping
- 1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling, or about 1 ½ cups homemade
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
Glaze
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners' sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons whole milk
Apple Cobbler Recipe
Make this Apple Cobbler recipe, where each spoonful brings a harmonious blend of sweetly-spiced apples beneath a golden, biscuit-meets-sugar-cookie crust. With just the right touch of cinnamon, ginger, and lemon zest, this dessert sings of autumn comfort. It’s the kind of easy, heartwarming treat that makes you sigh with delight, especially when paired with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. Perfect for sharing or indulging solo, it’s a testament to simple baking done brilliantly.
Ingredients
- 6 cups peeled and sliced crisp tart apples (2 pounds; about 4 large or 6 medium)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Enjoy the aroma of home-baked bliss with these Apple Cinnamon Muffins, where every fluffy crumb is a warm hug of sweet, spiced goodness. Their crowning glory? A cinnamon sugar crunch that serenades your taste buds, perfectly complementing the tender bursts of apple tucked within. Truly, these muffins are a lovely testament to the magic of apples and cinnamon, destined to become a cherished treat in your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the muffins:
- 1 ½ cups apples, peeled and diced
- 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup neutral oil (grapeseed, canola, or vegetable oil)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter
Apple Tart With Pedro Ximénez And Quince Syrup
This Apple Tart with Pedro Ximénez and Quince Syrup recipe is a delightful dance of flavors, weaving the rich, complex sweetness of Pedro Ximénez with the luscious, fruity depths of quince syrup across tender slices of apple. Each bite is a celebration, a symphony of textures and tastes that elevate the humble apple tart into an exquisite masterpiece, promising to whisk you away on a culinary adventure.
Ingredients
- 375 gm frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, separated
- 50 gm unsalted butter, softened, plus extra melted for brushing
- 60 gm (½ cup) almond meal
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 55 gm (¼ cup) golden caster sugar
- 2 Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced to 3mm thick on a mandolin
- 60 gm quince paste, chopped
- 125 ml (½ cup) Pedro Ximénez sherry
Apple Upside Down Cake
This Apple Upside Down Cake recipe is a cozy hug on a plate, offering a sweet rendezvous of tender, caramelized apples nestled under a velvety, golden cake. With ingredients likely already in your pantry, it transforms simple apples into an enchanting dessert that's as perfect for a breezy morning breakfast as it is for a starlit dessert, all with just 20 minutes of preparation.
Ingredients
Apples
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch wedges
Cake
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, melted
Glago
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk