It's Apple Season!
Fall has officially started, which means it's time for hefty cups of tea, heartwarming soups for dinner, and best of all, fall-flavored desserts you've been waiting to enjoy all year. And really, there's no flavor more fall-inspired than apple this time of year! From the traditional apple pie to apple fritters, there are plenty of sweet apple desserts to be excited about. Here are just 20 we think Americans should seriously consider serving up this year. Get on it!
1. Apple Crisp
When the leaves start to fall outside, that's when homemade apple crisps come into the picture. Something about that combination of tender, sliced apples paired with a crisp topping made of oats, brown sugar, and butter is so perfect for the fall, yet so simple to make too. Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it even better!
2. Classic Apple Pie
Of course, what list of apple desserts could ever be complete without the classic American apple pie making an appearance? That buttery crust perfectly complements the cinnamon-spiced apple mixture inside, and whether you buy it from the store or make it yourself, it always tastes familiar and just right for the season.
3. Apple Cider Donuts
Who doesn't love a good donut? Make your mornings feel even more seasonal by pairing your warm cup of coffee with apple cider donuts that perfectly capture that festive flavor. Now that's a great way to start enjoying the fall season.
Yoga Nova Diansyah on Unsplash
4. Caramel Apples
Most apple desserts focus on turning apples soft and tender, but if you love that iconic crunch, caramel apples provide that with an extra layer of sweetness. Caramel is the perfect addition to the tart Granny Smith, creating a surprisingly complex treat that's sticky, crunchy, sweet, and tart all at once.
5. Apple Galette
Feel a bit too lazy to create a lattice pie crust? Well, galettes are like a free-form tart that looks pretty without requiring all that extra work! You get all that buttery crust and spiced apple filling, just with an open top that you could easily customize with a sprinkle of icing powder, caramel drizzle, and more.
Diliara Garifullina on Unsplash
6. Baked Stuffed Apples
Not every dessert needs to be complicated and overdone; keep things simple for dessert with baked stuffed apples. After coring the fruit, you just need to fill them with your preferred mixture, like brown sugar, nuts, raisins, and a little butter, and bake them until tender. It's hassle-free but just as delicious as any apple dessert on this list.
7. Apple Strudel
If you love a flaky pastry that pairs well with coffee or tea, we're guessing apple strudels are definitely a favorite of yours. What's not to love, with those layers of buttery pastry giving every bite a delicate yet crisp texture, and the filling of apples and cinnamon providing the sweet, seasonal flavor you're craving.
8. Apple Fritters
You've seen just how massive apple fritters can be, and during the fall, it's the perfect excuse for you to treat yourself to one. With large chunks of chopped apple folded right into the batter before being fried, it gives each bite a nice texture, apple flavor, and delicate sweetness that makes it hard not to love this sweet treat.
9. Apple Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is one of the most practical and homey desserts you can make with just a handful of ingredients, particularly if you have leftover bread you don't want going bad. With cubes of apple thrown in with the custard-soaked bread, you're left with this hearty after-dinner treat that tastes even better with a little warm caramel sauce poured right on top.
10. Dutch Apple Pie
Yes, there are many ways to make apple pie, and another favorite in America is the Dutch version. It might not seem like a huge difference, but the crumb topping made with brown sugar and butter baked right onto the spiced apples provides a unique richness that isn't just delicious, but also comes in handy when you don't feel like rolling out another sheet of dough.
11. Apple Turnovers
Easy to hold and pairing well with tea or coffee, apple turnovers are another must-have fall treat. With the right spiced apple mixture and perfectly baked dough, this baked good feels heartwarming and nostalgic in all the best ways. For an added touch, drizzle on some icing sugar!
12. Apple Cheesecake
Let's be honest here: cheesecake is good year round. But that doesn't mean you can't customize it to better fit each season! For fall, there's nothing better than adding a lovely apple mixture cooked down with cinnamon right on top. The apple should be cooked until tender so it doesn't create a harsh contrast to the soft cheesecake though!
13. Apple Upside-Down Cake
Who said upside-down cakes were only dedicated to pineapples? Switch things up by replacing that exotic fruit with apples, turning this iconic and traditional dessert into something a bit more humble and fall-inspired. You'll get all the same flavors and textures you know and love, just with an appley twist.
Karen and Brad Emerson on Wikimedia
14. Apple Dumplings
Apple dumplings might just be the most perfect vehicle for a big spoonful of vanilla ice cream to sit on top of. With chunky pieces of apple baked in a pastry with a sweet cinnamon sauce, it's best enjoyed while it's served hot and fresh. That contrast of warm apple flavor and actual heat with the cool vanilla ice cream is simply to die for.
tracy ducasse from Massachusetts, United States on Wikimedia
15. Apple Blondies
Blondies are already delicious on their own, and while you might not have considered apples as a complementary flavor, you'll be surprised by just how well the two work together. It's an easy way to make your baked good more fitting for fall, and we'd recommend some cinnamon and toasted pecans to give it even more fall flair.
16. Apple Cobbler
If you love the flavor of apple pie but don't want the hassle of making one (or even buying one), apple cobbler is the messy cousin that keeps things simple. It's not about looking pretty, it's about tasting good! And when it's served just by the spoonful, all you have to focus on are getting the flavors right.
17. Tarte Tatin
This French dessert definitely sounds fancy, but in reality, it's a fruit tart that'll taste surprisingly homey and cozy. Cooking the apples first in caramel adds a richness and sweetness that elevates the whole dessert after its covered with pastry and baked until golden.
Shani Evenstein (שני אבנשטיין) on Wikimedia
18. Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are one of the most comforting fall sweet treats around, but take it up a step by giving it even more fall flavor with finely chopped apples mixed into the cinnamon filling. It adds a little tartness and fruit flavor to every bite, but not in an overpowering sense.
19. Apple Crumble Bars
Apple and butter seem to go hand-in-hand when it comes to delicious desserts, and apple crumble bars definitely capitalize on that combination. Adding a layer of cooked apples and topping your bars with a buttery crumb mixture really just takes this simple baked good to the next level, especially for fall.
20. Apple Spice Cake
Sometimes, all you want is a good slice of cake after dinner, and an apple spice cake is the perfect thing to serve as the weather gets a bit more chilly outside. Adding finely diced apples into a cake mixture doesn't just add delicious flavor, but it also gives it added moisture. Toss in some cinnamon, nutmeg, and all those iconic fall spices, and spread on a thin layer of cream cheese frosting to really wow your dinner guests (or yourself).
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