The 25 Best Apple Desserts You Must Try

Apple Squares

These cookie bars are packed with apples and walnuts, and topped with a sweet sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. Reviewers recommend using Granny Smith apples and drizzling the bars with caramel or butterscotch. And take their advice: double the recipe because they disappear fast!

Autumn Cheesecake

This fall-inspired cheesecake features a graham cracker, pecan, and cinnamon crust, topped with a rich cream cheese filling and cinnamon-sugar apples. Reviewers suggest doubling the cream cheese filling for extra thickness, and microwaving the apples before baking to soften them. "YUM! This is one of the best cheesecakes I've ever had! It’s simple to make and looks gorgeous when done! Everyone loved it," shares home cook ASHBERRY95.

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

Grandma Ople's iconic apple pie, with over 13,000 glowing 5-star reviews, is a must-try this season. With just six ingredients (plus your favorite double-crust pie dough), this recipe features Granny Smith apples, though many reviewers swap in Red Delicious to cut down on tartness.

Baked Apple Roses

Chef John's Baked Apple Roses are a sophisticated puff pastry dessert that looks impressively complicated, but reviewers say they're surprisingly simple to prepare. For a sweeter version, use jam to hold the rose petals together. "I followed the recipe exactly, and the roses turned out beautifully! Crispy on the outside and delicious," shares home cook lubatime.

German Apple Cake I

This recipe guarantees a perfectly moist and dense cake every time. Reviewers love to top it with a dusting of confectioners' sugar or drizzle it with caramel glaze or cream cheese frosting. "DELICIOUS! I followed the directions to the letter, and it came out wonderfully, with a deliciously crispy topping," shares reviewer eyp1175.

Apple Crisp with Oat Topping

"This dessert is perfect for early fall when the apples are sweet and firm. Within minutes of baking, the aroma will fill the entire house, and even the neighbors you helped years ago will stop by, hoping for a taste (spoiler: there won't be any left). For an extra treat, consider adding caramel sauce, ice cream, or whipped cream," says recipe creator realnakedchef.

Apple Turnovers

These classic Apple Turnovers are made with puff pastry dough and Granny Smith apples, creating a simple yet delicious treat. Some reviewers suggest adding extra cinnamon and pairing the turnovers with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. "Wow, these are even better than what you'd find at a bakery! I used Honey Crisp apples and added a pinch of nutmeg. Super easy and so tasty," says reviewer chrolivi.

French Apple Tart (Tarte de Pommes a la Normande)

"My mom used to make this for us, usually as a special treat after Sunday dinner. I was hooked and haven't had it in years. Recently, I wanted to bake something special for someone important, so I asked my mom for the recipe. I made it today, and it's just as delicious as I remember. The frangipane is the key for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do," says Peter Lovering.

Gramma's Apple Bread Pudding

If you’re looking for a way to use up extra bread and apples, this heartwarming apple bread pudding is the answer. You can use any bread and apples you have available, and top the pudding with vanilla sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. "Wow!! I wish I could rate it higher than five stars. This was absolutely amazing! I used a mix of whole wheat and white hot dog buns along with a few pieces of cinnamon bread," says home cook katydid2483.

Applesauce Bars

These easy-to-make bars pack all the beloved flavors of fall in one bite. Reviewers love adding raisins to these applesauce and pumpkin-spiced treats and finishing them off with a layer of cream cheese frosting. "Truly fantastic. They're simple enough for a quick dessert anytime, yet moist and flavorful enough to serve with after-dinner coffee. Frosting is optional — this cake is that good," says reviewer Jennifer Strange.

The Best Caramel Apples

This classic fall treat is simpler to make than you might think, and perfect for your next autumn gathering. Feel free to customize your caramel apples with additional toppings such as peanuts, M&Ms, or a drizzle of chocolate. "The caramel recipe is five-star! It was fun to prepare and tasted absolutely amazing," says reviewer Sarah Waltrip.

Apple Coffee Cake

Kick off your morning with a slice of this delightful Apple Coffee Cake, topped with a cinnamon streusel. Made with vanilla yogurt and sour cream, you can swap the vanilla yogurt for more sour cream or Greek yogurt with a splash of vanilla if needed.

Apple Pecan Cobbler

"AMAZING! This has quickly become my go-to cobbler recipe. I followed the instructions to the letter, though I added a few extra apples, so I used a 9x13 pan instead. My family couldn't stop praising it," says home cook MAGNIFCANT7.

Glazed Apple Cookies

These spiced apple and walnut cookies are topped with a simple dusting of confectioners' sugar glaze, creating a deliciously cake-like fall treat. Some reviewers prefer swapping the shortening for butter or margarine. "These cookies were a huge hit! They have a crispy edge and a soft, chewy center, with just the right amount of spice," says reviewer Alberta Rose.

Chef John's Caramel Apple Pie

Chef John takes the beloved caramel apple and transforms it into a delicious pie. You can use your preferred double-crust pie recipe, but Chef John suggests trying this Easy Homemade Pie Crust for a perfect result. "This was my very first pie, and it turned out amazing! Even the kid who declared he 'did NOT like pies' said 'but I LIKE this pie,'" shares home cook Danita Banko.

Apple Bundt Cake

This Apple Bundt Cake is praised by reviewers for its dense yet moist texture, and a perfect finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar. "I loved this recipe! The cake came out with a crunchy top (I used a rose Bundt pan) and a soft, dense middle. It's so easy to make and my kids devoured it," says reviewer robin.

Apple Bavarian Torte

This decadent three-layer torte begins with a simple crust, followed by a creamy cheese filling, and topped with cinnamon sugar apples and sliced almonds. Reviewers suggest cooking the apples before baking to soften them. "This was *THE* most stunning dessert I have ever made! It looked like something I spent a fortune on at a high-end bakery. The crust and the cream cheese filling were absolutely to die for," says home cook GRETCHEN01.

Fried Apple Pies

For fans of McDonald's apple pies, these homemade fried apple hand pies are a must-try! This recipe calls for scratch-made pastry dough, but you can substitute store-bought biscuit dough for a quicker option. "I love McDonald's fried apple pies, but the nearest one is way too far. These pies came out DELICIOUS! The dough was perfect – golden and crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy inside," says reviewer babooshka76.

Apple Hermits

These soft, cake-like cookies are infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, packed with apples, walnuts, and raisins for the perfect fall treat. While these cookies are delicious on their own, you can also mix in chocolate chips for an extra indulgence.

Country Apple Dumplings

The unexpected twist in this popular recipe comes from a can of Mountain Dew — trust us, it works! Simply wrap crescent roll dough around an apple slice, then coat with butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a splash of Mountain Dew. It’s as simple as it sounds, but the result is mouthwatering.

Chef John's Apple Fritters

Chef John crafts these crispy fried apple fritters using tender Granny Smith apples and a splash of sparkling apple cider. After frying, they’re drizzled with a sweet glaze made from cinnamon, powdered sugar, and more apple cider. "These were great and simple to make. It was my first time trying them, and while they didn’t turn out as perfectly as the picture, they were still incredibly delicious. I’ll definitely be making them again," says home cook Julienne Holmes.

Skillet Apple Brownie

"This warm, chewy apple dessert has a brownie-like consistency. Baked in a cast iron skillet, it makes an impressive dish for entertaining. Pair it with a scoop of high-quality vanilla ice cream for the perfect treat," says recipe contributor MomZilla (Evin).

Apple Banana Cupcakes

These moist fall cupcakes are the ideal way to use up ripe bananas and apples. While the recipe doesn’t specify frosting, many reviewers suggest pairing these with a rich Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting. "An unexpected yet wonderful blend of apples and bananas! The cake is so moist and flavorful, making it a perfect match for the fruit," says reviewer JessKnight.

Cottage Pudding - Upside Down Cake

Put a fall spin on the classic pineapple upside-down cake by making this apple version. With pantry essentials and just over an hour of your time, this easy recipe is perfect for cozy fall days. Recipe creator Sandra suggests serving it warm with a scoop of ice cream.

Grandma's Iron Skillet Apple Pie

This Southern-style skillet apple pie features a unique three-layer design and takes only 15 minutes to prepare. The trick is the hidden third pie crust in the center. For a quicker version, feel free to use store-bought pre-rolled dough. "My husband and I absolutely loved this pie. I don't think I'll ever make an apple pie in a traditional pie plate again," says reviewer denise wincz.

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