Fall baking just hits different, doesn’t it? I get so excited when apples start showing up everywhere because it means I have an excuse to make every single one of these Thanksgiving apple desserts. Sweet, fruity, and kissed with warm spice, they’re the perfect little something after the big feast. I’ve rounded up 24 of my favorites, from pies and ice cream to dumplings and cake, so there’s really something here for everyone. Trust me, you’re going to want to make a few of these right away.
1. Caramel Apple Clafoutis
A clafoutis is technically a type of baked flan. But it looks and tastes like soufflé… with fruit. It’s almost as if a soufflé married a cobbler. And it’s super scrummy. The edges are puffy and light, like a pancake. But the center is soft and pudding-like.
2. Apple Dumplings with Browned-Butter Salted Caramel Sauce
These little dumplings are basically the sweetest way to say “you’re the apple of my eye.” Imagine apples stuffed with cinnamon sugar and wrapped up in flaky pastry. You bake them until they’re luscious, caramelized, and just a little nutty from the browned butter. It’s pure heaven on a plate. Serve them with caramel ice cream and you can thank me later.
3. Apple Tarte Tatin
This topsy-turvy tart is probably what inspired the classic upside-down cake. It features apples caramelized in butter and sugar, all topped with flaky pastry. It’s such a treat after any holiday feast. Of course, it’s prepared upside-down, so you don’t get to see the magic until it’s done.
4. French Apple Rose Tart with Frangipane
If you thought that tart above was nice, but want more, check out this scrumptious tart! It’s bigger, sweeter, and maybe even yummier. And it all starts with a sugar cookie crust. The frangipane filling is a wonderful touch too. It’s nutty, sweet, and super custard-like.
5. Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
This apple and cream cheese cake is scrum-diddly-umptious, and that’s nothing bundt the truth! Between the moist apple cake, cheesecake center, and luxurious cream cheese frosting, I’m drooling just thinking about it. This one is a real centerpiece.
6. Apple Pie Ice Cream
Who needs pie when you can just have à la mode? This incredible recipe features cinnamon ice cream, chunks of soft apples, and crunchy Graham Crackers. It’s so flavorful and tantalizingly textured. All you need is a bit of caramel sauce to drizzle on top.
7. Glazed Puff Pastry Apple Roses
I know Thanksgiving is a busy time, but you’ve got to make time to stop and smell the apple roses! Yes, apple roses! They’re sweet, light, and super tasty. Plus, they’re probably the most stunning holiday dessert you’ll ever make. And luckily, they’re crazy easy to recreate.
8. Apple Cake
This cake is absolutely loaded with fresh apples and fragrant spices. It’s fabulously moist, to the point of being wonderfully dense, and every single forkful is mouthwatering. Drizzle it with a homemade caramel sauce that will probably change your life. I have a feeling it’ll become a holiday staple in your house.
9. French Caramel Apple Cake
Ooh la la! This French-inspired apple cake will whisk your tastebuds to dessert nirvana. It features silky caramel, soft cinnamon apples, and sweet vanilla cake. Each part is great on its own, but together? It’s totally irresistible. You’re going to want seconds.
10. Apple Cobbler
If apple crisp is the star of the midwestern table, apple cobbler reigns supreme in the south. It’s another iconic dish that simply screams fall. Apple cobbler comes together with saucy cinnamon apples and a buttery biscuit topping. Simple, cozy, and absolutely perfect after a big meal.
11. Spiced Apple Upside-Down Cake with Bourbon Caramel Glaze
This ain’t your typical spiced apple cake! It’s grown up and way more delicious, thanks to the bourbon caramel. Every bite is rich, moist, and seriously decadent. This is the dessert you bring out when you want to impress the adults at the table.
12. Rustic Apple Galette
Meet the OG pie… the galette. It’s not fussy, it’s totally delicious, and it’s beautiful in its simplicity. Of course, you can make galettes with any fruit, but this apple one is perfect for fall. You’ll start by making a simple pie dough, though you can use pre-made if you prefer.
13. Rustic Skillet Apple Pie
Can I get an apple pie without all the fuss? Yes, please! I love a classic apple pie, but let’s be real, making one from scratch can be a whole project. That fancy lattice crust is beautiful, but sometimes I just want the cozy flavor without the stress. This rustic version is exactly what I need.
14. Easy Apple Pandowdy
I consider myself a pretty experienced baker, but I only recently learned about the Pandowdy. It’s an old-fashioned fruit dessert reminiscent of a cobbler or crisp. It features a saucy fruit base, and it’s topped with pastry dough, usually shortcrust. It’s rustic and totally charming.
15. Apple Bourbon Pot Pie
If your favorite part about apple pie is the filling, you’ll love this fun dessert. It’s apple pie with a twist! Like pot pie, this dessert is made mostly of filling. And it’s topped with a super buttery pastry crust. But instead of chicken and veg, this pie is filled with cinnamon apples. Plus, bourbon and apple cider to boot. It’s delicious!
16. Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Okay, I had to kick things off with a total showstopper. These apple pie bars are dangerously good, with all those dreamy layers of apple, butter, cinnamon, and caramel. You get a buttery, flaky homemade shortbread crust that just melts in your mouth. Then there’s a pile of fresh apples tossed with flour and warm spices. Honestly, they’re pretty much impossible to put down.
17. Apple Pomegranate Cobbler
Apple cobbler is a cozy Thanksgiving classic that’s simple to make and always hits the spot. But this version? It’s extra special. You still get all the best parts: a fruity sauce, chunks of fresh apples, and that fluffy biscuit topping. Instead of the usual apple cinnamon vibe, though, this one brings in bright, juicy pomegranate for a pop of color and flavor.
18. Apple Cream Pie
This pie is exactly what it sounds like: cinnamon, sugar, and flour-dusted apples baked in cream. I don’t know about you, but to me, it sounds delicious! The end result is a fabulously creamy, apple custard-like pie that’s best served cold. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert.
19. Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies
Skip the line at McDonald’s and make these delicious hand pies at home. Homemade is always better anyway. But these bad boys are brimming with caramel and apples. Plus, the crust is stellar. And there’s even more caramel on top.
20. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Be careful with these cheesecake bars, they are sinfully delicious and highly addictive! The crust is flaky, sweet, and wonderfully tender. Then there’s that cheesecake filling. When I say this filling is smooth, I mean it’s like velvet. It’s luscious, sweet, and simply to die for.
21. Apple Crisp with Cranberries and Walnuts
This delicious crisp features a triple dose of fall goodies! It’s bursting with apples, cranberries, and walnuts, so every bite is sweet, tart, and just a little nutty. It’s like a celebration of the season in every single spoonful.
22. Apple Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is simple, rustic, and easily one of my favorite desserts. Soft, chewy, moist, and wonderfully sweet, it’s a carb lover’s dream. Plus, it’s super easy to make because it’s practically a dump-and-bake dessert. The kind of cozy treat I crave all season long.
23. Maple Apple Upside-Down Cake
While we’re on the subject of upside-down cakes, let me introduce you to this apple cake! Everything about this vegan cake is tantalizing, from its tender texture to its maple caramel topping. And you’ll love that it’s so easy to serve. No fancy decorations required here.
24. Sharlotka (Russian Apple Cake)
This easy dessert is so appley and delicious, you won’t be able to stop eating! At least, I struggle to control myself around Sharlotka. This Russian treat is incredibly light and airy. And trust me when I say you’ll want to make extra because this apple cake will go fast. Luckily, you only need six simple ingredients to make it. And you probably already have them in your kitchen!
