Southern Sweets Worth Traveling For
The South is known for having incredible food that is satisfying, comforting, and hearty, but oftentimes, its desserts aren't talked about enough. You hear all about their shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese, but what about their delectable chess pies, banana pudding, and sheet cakes? For all the sweet lovers out there, this one's for you. Here are 20 incredible Southern desserts that sound so amazing, we wouldn't blame you for booking a plane ticket just to try them in person.
1. Pecan Pie
Of all the South's amazing desserts, pecan pie might be the most recognizable. The filling is known to be rich and sweet, but the toasted pecans add a pleasant bite and firm texture that keep things interesting. Every pie might have slight variations, but when served slightly warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, it'll always be satisfying.
2. Banana Pudding
Is any Southern feast complete without banana pudding there to close it out? Layers of sliced bananas, vanilla wafers, and creamy pudding somehow manage to turn these humble ingredients into a seriously tasty treat. Make sure to get a bite with every component to truly understand this beloved flavor combo from the South.
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3. Peach Cobbler
Whenever peaches are in season, Southerners know exactly the best way to use them: in a peach cobbler! This juicy and sweet fruit becomes the star of the show when a buttery topping and spices get added to the mix. Every added flavor enhances the peaches, and when served with vanilla ice cream, becomes a truly delicious dessert.
4. Hummingbird Cake
Having nothing to do with the cute little bird, a Southern Hummingbird cake combines bananas, crushed pineapple, pecans, and warm spices into a moist layer cake that's usually finished with cream cheese frosting. The ingredient list might make it sound complicated, but somehow, everything still feels balanced.
5. Sweet Potato Pie
Perfect for the fall and holiday seasons, sweet potato pie is irresistably smooth and gently spiced so that every bite keeps you wanting more. Compared to most heavily sugared desserts, the natural sweetness of the mashed sweet potatoes offers a nice change, especially a properly made one focused on balance.
6. Red Velvet Cake
Often considered a Southern classic, red velvet cake doesn't just stand out for its deep red color, but its rich and decadent taste too. When paired with a thick cream cheese frosting that makes every bite heavy with sweet flavor, it's the kind of dessert that makes you feel like you're treating yourself.
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7. Chess Pie
With a basic filling of sugar, eggs, butter, and a small amount of cornmeal or flour, chess pie proves that sometimes the simplest desserts are the best ones. You can make variations to include lemon, chocolate, or buttermilk, but the most traditional version remains the most popular in the South.
8. Lane Cake
Lane cake is a layered Southern dessert that traditionally includes egg yolks, sugar, butter, raisins, coconut, pecans, and bourbon or another spirit. With so much going on, it's hard for the cake not to feel especially celebratory or special! The recipe might differ slightly from family to family, but it's always a crowd-pleaser.
9. Mississippi Mud Pie
Chocolate lovers, you're going to love this one. Mississippi mud pie might just be one of the most indulgent, chocolatey treats around; with a chocolate cookie crust, dense brownie-like base, pudding layer, and maybe a whipped topping, every bite is so rich and dreamy. Make sure you save room; even a modest slice is super filling!
Fumiaki Yoshimatsu on Wikimedia
10. Buttermilk Pie
Speaking of pies, another delicious offering is buttermilk pie, a dessert made of eggs, sugar, butter, and buttermilk baked together inside a flaky crust. The consistency is smooth and creamy, with a little vanilla, lemon zest, or nutmeg giving the whole slice a nice touch depending on the baker's preference.
Kimberly Vardeman on Wikimedia
11. Coca-Cola Cake
Coca-Cola cake is a longtime Southern favorite made with the familiar soft drink mixed directly into a chocolate cake batter. It might sound a bit strange at first, but the soda adds sweetness and moisture! Don't expect it to taste like drinking a glass of cola, because the final flavor is much closer to a soft, rich chocolate sheet cake.
American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash
12. Pralines
Southern pralines are beloved in New Orleans, where you'll see them in candy shops and bakery cases throughout the city. Traditional versions are very sweet, but at least the toasted pecans provide enough nuttiness to add some depth.
13. Kentucky Bourbon Balls
This Southern sweet treat combines chocolate, pecans, sugar, butter, and bourbon into a small confection that's hard to stop at just one. Some versions feature a creamy bourbon center covered in chocolate, while others mix the ingredients more thoroughly into the filling. They're commonly enjoyed around the holidays, but there's no reason you have to wait until December.
14. Coconut Cake
Southern coconut cake is a decadent dessert covered in frosting, generous layers of shredded coconut, and layers of moist, tender cake. It might be paired with cream cheese frosting, boiled icing, or another rich filling, but it'll always taste delicious however it's prepared.
15. Lemon Icebox Pie
Served chilled with an addictive bright citrus flavor, lemon icebox pie is always welcome during the hot Southern seasons. The combination of lemon juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks sit inside a graham cracker or pastry crust, with the tart flavor softened by the whipped cream or meringue talking. It's absolutely delicious.
16. Texas Sheet Cake
A potluck favorite, Texas sheet cake is thin, chocolatey, and perfectly designed to feed a hungry crowd. Baked in a large pan and covered with warm chocolate frosting, each bite is so rich and decadent, you'll want more than just one slice.
Steven Depolo from Grand Rapids, MI, USA on Wikimedia
17. Satsuma Cake
Satsumas thrive along parts of the Gulf Coast, and they certainly found a delicious way to make the most of this fruit. Depending on the recipe, satsuma juice and zest are added to the batter, glaze, or frosting to create a clean orange flavor. The fruit keeps the cake from feeling overly heavy, even when a rich icing is involved.
18. Southern Bread Pudding
Southern bread pudding turns day-old bread into a soft baked dessert flavored with ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla, raisins, or pecans. The custard soaks through the bread before baking, creating a tender center that's often served warm with bourbon sauce, caramel, or another sweet topping.
19. Divinity Candy
If you've really got a sweet tooth, we're sure you'll appreicate this old-fashioned Southern candy made primarily from whipped egg whites, sugar syrup, and often, chopped pecans. Divinity candy has a light but slightly chewy texture, and you'll often see it during Christmas although specialty candy shops may sell it throughout the year.
20. Atlantic Beach Pie
Coming from the North Carolina coast, Atlantic beach pie combines a salty cracker crust with a tart citrus filling. Lemon or lime juice gives the creamy center its sharpness, while the crust often uses crushed saltine crackers instead of the more popular graham crackers. It might sound strange, but give it a try!
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