41 Apple Desserts That Make Us Want to Pick the Whole Orchard

Like streusel-topped cakes, caramel-apple cookies, a dessert made with Cheez-Its, and more ways to eat an apple a day.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Leslie Raney Garetto, Prop Styling by Emma RingnessWhen the cool winds blow, we pine for apple desserts. You too? Welcome, friend. Whether they’re sweet or tart, cooked down to a sticky paste or gently warmed to keep their crisp bite, apples only need a little butter, some cinnamon sugar, and heat to shine. (And a scoop of vanilla ice cream never hurts.)With classic apple pie, buttery crisps, flaky pastries, and glazed apple fritters, this collection of apple dessert recipes makes the most of the season’s bounty. Some are simple enough for a weeknight; others are baking projects worth clearing an afternoon for.We like firm apples for baking—favorites include Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn. They hold up well in pies, crisps, and cakes, while mixing sweet and tart apples can add complexity. Our guide to the best apples for baking has more advice on which varieties to choose. For peeling, follow the recipe: leaving the skins on adds color and texture, while removing them gives you a softer, more uniform filling.Apple pies, crisps, and cobblersApple cakes and breadsApple tarts, galettes, and other pastriesApple cookies, bars, and morePhoto by Michael Graydon + Nikole HerriotBA’s Best Apple PieReducing fresh cider and the juices from the apples to a syrupy consistency concentrates their flavor and gives this mile-high pie its juicy, saucy filling. A buttery, flaky crust seals the deal.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer RichardsCinnamon Apple Crumb PieThis golden-brown crumble topping looks impressive, but it’s way easier to make than a complicated lattice. And who wouldn't want a little extra buttery crunch with their apple pie?Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate BuckensApple-Cheddar PieApple pie and sharp cheddar are one of life's great sweet-savory combinations. This recipe folds the cheese right into the buttery pastry, so you get a salty tang with every bite.Photograph by Christopher Testani, Food styling by Victoria Granof, prop styling by Alex BrannianApple-Rose PieBefore vanilla extract was widely available, says baker Cheryl Day, rose water was one of the most popular flavorings in American baking. This apple pie revives that lovely floral pairing.Photograph Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Tim Ferro, Food Styling by Mieko TakahashiDiner-Style Apple Pie With Lattice CrustA little cream cheese makes the pie dough more malleable so that you can arrange your lattice to perfection without worrying too much about overhandling.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin WayneDutch Apple PieWhy choose between apple pie and apple crumble? This Dutch-style pie combines a tender apple filling and flaky bottom crust with a generous layer of cinnamon-spiked streusel.Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Yekaterina BoystovaCaramel Apple Breakfast CobblerThis make-ahead apple cobbler is great for busy mornings—or for dinner parties, when there are a lot of other things to maneuver in and out of the oven. A dollop of yogurt or softly whipped cream wouldn’t be out of place.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Stevie StewartApple CrumbleA combination of apples gives this classic crumble the best of both worlds: Some soften into a jammy filling; others keep their shape. On top, buttery crumbs bake into golden, craggy clusters. Serve warm, preferably with vanilla ice cream.Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean DooleyStovetop Apple CrispNo room in the oven? No problem. This stovetop crisp gets its buttery, golden topping from a separately prepared streusel. It’s a clever way to get the contrast of tender fruit and crunchy crumbs without baking the whole dessert.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Leslie Raney Garetto, Prop Styling by Emma RingnessDutch Apple Snacking CakeApples run throughout this tender vanilla cake, while a generous cinnamon streusel topping brings buttery crunch to every slice. It's the kind of cake you can leave on the counter and cut yourself another square of whenever the mood strikes.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Dayna SemanAppalachian Apple Stack CakeUsually, when cake emerges, that signals the party is ending soon. But with six layers of spice cake and an orchard’s worth of apple butter, this apple dessert IS the party.Gentl & HyersApple Gingerbread Cake With CreamCaramelized apples meet dark molasses, fresh ginger, and warm spices in this richly flavored cake. The fruit forms a glossy topping when you turn it out of the pan. A little cream alongside is all it needs.Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Adrian Ababovic, Food Styling by Mieko TakahashiEasy Apple CakeThis hand-mixed cake is packed with chopped apples and topped with cinnamon sugar and toasted walnuts. Sour cream keeps the crumb tender, while a splash of apple cider vinegar adds a subtle tang.Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Rebecca JurkevichApple-Walnut Upside-Down CakeClaire Saffitz’s upside-down apple cake has a dramatic presentation, with glossy, caramelized apple halves nestled into a walnut-rich sponge. Her trick for getting the neatest, prettiest apple halves? Use a melon baller to scoop out the cores.Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Jesse Szewczyk, Prop Styling Alexandra MassillonCaramel Apple Monkey BreadSticky-sweet monkey bread transports you right back to childhood. This version doubles down on the nostalgia with the caramel-apple flavors of a county fair.Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna StockwellOlive Oil Apple Cake With Spiced SugarGrated apples keep this dairy-free olive oil cake moist and tender, while cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper bring the spice. It’s equally welcome at dessert or with an afternoon cup of tea.Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Suzie MyersCaramel Apple Snacking CakeYou need little more than a bowl and baking dish for this tender apple cake. The caramel sauce comes together in a small skillet, making this a decidedly low-fuss way to get your caramel-apple fix.Photo by Chelsie CraigButtery German Apple CakeThe secret to this gorgeous cake’s neat rows of apples is the Hasselback method: Thin, parallel cuts let the fruit fan out as it bakes while keeping each quarter intact.Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Frances BoswellApple-Hazelnut Rye CakeA mixture of all-purpose and rye flours gives this apple cake an earthy, nutty flavor and deep copper hue. Hazelnuts double down on the toastiness, making it especially good alongside coffee or tea.Photo by Holly Wulff PetersenSumac, Spelt, and Apple CakeSumac brings a citrusy fragrance to this apple loaf cake, while spelt flour adds a delicate nuttiness. The unexpected combination adds a little intrigue to a familiar fall bake.Michael Graydon + Nikole HerriottVanilla Bean Tarte TatinTarte Tatin is a French classic for good reason: Caramelized apples, buttery pastry, and a dramatic flip at the finish. This version uses frozen puff pastry, saving you the trouble of making dough from scratch.Photography by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarcoApple-Cranberry Tarte TatinTart cranberries turn this Tatin variation a beautiful rosy pink. It’s a Thanksgiving showstopper if you want something other than the usual pumpkin or pecan pie.Photo by Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Kalen KaminskiFall Fruit GaletteThis free-form galette wraps a buttery crust around sliced apples, and you can make it your own with warming spices, citrus zest, or a little black pepper. See our extra-flaky pastry dough for the foundation (or use a store-bought crust, we won’t tell).Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate BuckensNaked Apple TartApples on the bottom of this tart steam and soften as they bake, while the fruit on top holds its shape. The result is a beautiful contrast of tender and slightly firmer apples in every bite.Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen KaminskiGlazed and Flaky Apple TartThink apple pie with the fruit turned all the way up. This tart layers apples over an exceptionally flaky crust, with a glossy finish that makes it look every bit as good as it tastes.Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances BoswellGalette de Pommes au CalvadosThis French apple tart doubles down on the fruit, with thinly sliced apples layered over Calvados-spiked applesauce. A dollop of apple-brandy-flavored whipped cream makes it feel especially dinner-party-worthy.Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Katherine SacksWeihnachten Gedeckter ApfelkuchenThis traditional German Christmas apple “cake” holds a sweet-tart fruit filling in tender pastry and finishes it with a lemon glaze. Fresh cranberries replace the usual raisins, giving the holiday bake a welcome pop of tartness.Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Stevie StewartFried Apple PiesTake a cue from legendary Southern chef Edna Lewis and use dried apples for the filling. Rehydrated in apple cider, they develop a concentrated flavor and rich, jammy texture that works beautifully inside golden fried pastry.Christopher TestaniD.I.Y. Apple Mille-FeuilleThinly sliced apples baked with maple syrup, vanilla, and bourbon make a luxurious filling for layers of flaky puff pastry and softly whipped cream.Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Erika JoyceApple StrudelStore-bought phyllo makes strudel’s delicate, flaky layers possible without the elaborate dough-stretching of traditional versions. Serve warm, with coffee or tea, and perhaps a spoonful of whipped cream.Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Linden Elstran, Food Styling by Kaitlin WayneGlazed Apple Pie FrittersThese golden fried treats, courtesy of BA Bake Club, have ricotta in the batter for a tender crumb and juicy apple chunks throughout. They’re the perfect treat after an afternoon of apple-picking.Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Jessie YuChenSalted Caramel Apple CookiesCaramel apples are great, but have you tried them as a cookie? These bring the same sweet-and-salty flavors in a package that’s both easier to eat and much less sticky.Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna BillingskogApple Pie CookiesAll the charm of apple pie, in a cookie you can eat with one hand. They’re made for parties, bake sales, or any occasion where balancing a plate and fork sounds like too much work.Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina BoytsovaSuspiciously Cheesy Apple Crumb BarsCheez-Its in dessert? Trust us on this one. The crackers give bars a toasty, buttery, salty edge that makes the sweet filling taste even better. Your guests don’t need to know the secret ingredient.Alex LauEasiest Caramel Apple ClafoutisSomewhere between a custard and a pancake, this clafoutis bakes up tender around slices of tart apple. An easy brown sugar toffee sauce adds buttery richness, making it taste more indulgent than its simple preparation suggests.Apple PandowdyPandowdy is fun to say, and even more fun to eat. Top sliced-and-spiced apples with puff pastry shingles, then bake until the crust is golden and the apples soft and bubbling.Overgaard AndersApple Croustades With Brown Sugar–Bourbon Ice CreamCaramelized apples tucked into crisp, buttery phyllo shells make these individual pastries feel especially dinner-party-worthy. They’re excellent on their own, but a scoop of brown sugar–bourbon ice cream takes them over the top.Peden + MunkBaked Apples With Prunes, Almonds, and AmarettoWhole apples stuffed with an almond, prune, and amaretto filling bake until tender, then get a shower of caramelized almonds. Pour the cream over at the table for a little extra drama.Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Liberty Fennell, prop styling by Gerri WilliamsOatmeal Baked ApplesThink of these baked apples as individual apple crisps, with tender fruit and a hearty oat topping studded with dried cherries, pecans, and seeds. They’re particularly good warm from the oven, with a little cream or yogurt.Phoebe Fry is a Brooklyn-based food writer, cook, and illustrator. She’s worked in kitchens in Ireland, Italy, and NYC, and she currently writes The Dish on Substack. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Wine Enthusiast, and more. You’ll most often find her haunting the cookbook section of her local ... Read More