Once fall hits, these are my favorites apple dessert ideas I will be making it all season long! From homemade apple pie to apple tarts and dessert bars, I know you’ll love these recipes as much as I do.
Looking for more fall cooking inspiration? Check me out the best pumpkin recipesnext!
Why I love these apple dessert recipes
Fall is just around the corner, and if you’re already wondering, “What can I do with a lot of apples?” if you ask the question. you are not alone! I’ve compiled a list of my favorite apple dessert recipes that I make every year as the leaves begin to change. And most of them lead me well into Thanksgiving and the holiday season! Here’s why I chose these apple desserts:
- Something for everyone. These apple dessert ideas offer a little bit of everything, no matter your skill level in the kitchen. Whether it’s cookies, cakes, pies, or bars, I love sharing recipes that I enjoy and are easy and accessible.
- Holiday. Even if you haven’t baked for Thanksgiving or Christmas yet, there’s plenty of holiday inspiration here. Apple desserts are perfect for a cozy fall weekend with the family or a holiday party.
- Comfortable. I love the fresh apples and spices in these recipes. There is something special about the first apple recipe that hits the oven every year. Almost all of these desserts will make your house smell amazing!
What are the best apples for baking?
The best apples for making desserts like pies, crisps, and other baked goods are firm, sweet-tart apples that hold up to high heat. They’re often called “baker apples,” and popular varieties include Granny Smith (my favorite), Honey Gold, Braeburn, Castle, Cortland, and Fuji apples. I will sometimes use a different baking apple blend for extra flavor and texture.
20+ apple dessert ideas to try
Don’t forget to check me out recipe finder for more fall desserts and apple recipes like this one pumpkin apple muffins and pan apple biscuits.
Apple bread
This apple dumpling cake puts an easy, seasonal spin on a classic cake mix cake. This recipe features a juicy apple pie filling and a delicious crust of buttery oat streusel. This is the perfect potluck dessert!
Sour apple coffee cake
I love this apple-filled twist on sour cream coffee cake. Very moist and delicate, full of autumnal apples and spices. Very tasty with a glass of hot apple juice!
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These apple cheesecake bars are another crowd-pleasing fall dessert, and they’re super easy to make! Creamy apple cheesecake filling is layered with crunchy streusel and sticky caramel. The flavors and textures are the best.
Homemade apple pie
No apple dessert list is complete without a good old-fashioned, homemade apple pie recipe. This dessert is as simple and delicious as it gets with a homemade pastry crust rich with buttery caramelized apples. I also include tips for making a cage shell!
Apple Strudel
Skip the baking line and make your own easy apple strudel at home! This easy apple strudel is packed with cinnamon spice and wrapped in a gorgeous and flaky pastry.
Apple Pie Bread
This quick apple pie bread recipe has all the flavors I love in homemade apple pie baked into soft, moist quick bread instead. It is topped with crunchy nut streusel and topped with chopped apples and spices.
Apple Crisp Crumbs
How fun are these disposable apple crisps? This easy fall dessert has everything you love about classic apple crisp made into party-ready mini crumbles. Very cute!
Easy apple crisp
Just like apple pie, I couldn’t make this list without a classic apple crisp! I love apple crisp because it’s a decadent dessert filled with sweet cinnamon apples baked under crunchy oatmeal. The only way to serve it in our house is a la mode topped with ice cream!
Apple cake
Your next fall date needs this easy apple pie! It’s basically apples and an apple pie filling ready for dipping. Prepare in minutes and serve with pie crust or apple chips.
Apple Pie Bars
Apple pie bars are so much fun and they never disappoint! These have a crusty pie crust like a classic apple pie layered with cinnamon sugar apples and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Don’t miss the drizzle of sweet juice!
Norwegian apple cake
Make this easy Norwegian apple cake for an apple dessert that’s as beautiful to eat as it is to eat! This is a classic recipe for a sweet apple and cinnamon sugar butterscotch cake. Delicious after dinner, you can even serve it as a coffee cake for lunch.
Chewy apple juice cookies
These chewy apple cider cookies live up to their name with chewy centers and crunchy edges bursting with spiced apple flavor. They are the ultimate fall cookie!
Mini apple pies
I still haven’t gotten over how wonderful these mini apple pies are. They’re a bite-sized version of a whole apple pie, with the same gooey apple filling and crusty crust that I love. Only these are baked in a muffin tin!
Apple Cinnamon Bread
Soft and moist and rich with apple, this apple cinnamon bun is made even better by a crunchy cinnamon sugar! This is the perfect quick bread recipe to make on a fall afternoon. It’s great for dessert and you can even sneak a slice into breakfast!
Pan apple pie
This pan apple pie is a rustic twist on a classic fall dessert. Baking the pie in a cast iron pan gives it the perfect comfort, especially once it’s down to the caramelized crust!
Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies
I’ve been rotating my favorite oatmeal cookie recipe for fall and these turned out great! They are soft and chewy oatmeal cookies filled with dried apple slices and drizzled with caramel. Very good!
Caramel Apple Popcorn
You haven’t lived until you’ve tried this Caramel Apple Popcorn! A bowl takes crunchy caramel corn and gives it a seasonal boost with crunchy apple chips. This is the only sweet snack you need for your Halloween movie marathon!
Cream Cheese Apple Tart
This is a sweet and moist apple bundt cake. It’s stunning on the dessert table, and that’s before you slice it!
Apple dish
Who else is obsessed with apple donuts? Because I took the soul of an apple donut and baked it into a quick apple bread! You’ll love how insanely moist this bread is, topped with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with glaze.
Dutch apple pie
With a perfectly spiced filling and an irresistibly crumbly buttery top, this Dutch apple pie is a family favorite apple dessert. It saves the extra work of making the top crust, so it’s as perfect for holidays as it is for everyday baking.
Simple Apple Crumble Cake
Somewhere between a classic apple crumble and a homemade apple pie is this delicious and EASY apple pie! It’s a comforting apple pie filled with a warm spiced, crunchy crust.
