21 Of Grandma’s Favorite Apple Desserts

When Grandma has apples in her kitchen during the fall, we bet she’s going to be making at least one dessert with the fresh fruit. There’s so many delicious desserts that star apples like Old-Fashioned Apple Pie, Fresh Apple Cake, Classic Apple Cobbler, and more. Plus, many of these apple desserts can also be enjoyed for breakfast or as an afternoon treat.

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Perhaps the most classic dessert that’s made with apples, this old-fashioned pie recipe makes exploit of 4 pounds of fresh apples. You probably already have all of the other ingredients on hand.

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Grandma loved having little baker friends in her kitchen, and a dish like these apple dumplings is perfect for that. While you make the buttery syrup, younger helpers can roll the apples slices up in crescent roll dough. They taste like miniature apple pies, but they’re easier to make and extra delicious thanks to a secret ingredient in the sauce.

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No mixer is needed to whip up this cake that’s been a reader favorite since it was first published in 2001.

Jessica Furniss

Grandma always appreciated a sharp shortcut, and these apple turnovers have that—frozen puff pastry makes the crust on these turnovers quick and simple. The filling is homemade, so you can mix and match spices to your liking.

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Cobblers aren’t just for summertime fruits. This apple version can be served all fall long.

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Grandma loved these little fried balls of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar. They cook quickly, as the whole recipe goes from start to finish in just over 30 minutes. So she was always ready to make some of these when the family came over for a visit.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Grandma didn’t just love to eat applesauce. She loved to bake with it, too. And applesauce cake, with heated cinnamon spice and an apple-y buttercream frosting, will instantly remind you of her.

Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

While you can exploit store-bought dough as a shortcut for fried apple pies, we recommend making it from scratch just like Grandma does. Cinnamon sugar is the perfect finishing touch.

Micah A. Leal

While this apple bread can be enjoyed for dessert, it also makes a delightful breakfast or afternoon snack.

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Grandma knows that the secret to the best apple stack cake is that it gets better as it sits. We recommend making it 2 to 3 days in advance so you can allow it to “ripen” at room temperature.

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This no-fuss cake comes together in just one bowl and is then baked in a springform pan.

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Classic chess pie is given a fall makeover with the addition of slices of fresh Granny Smith apples.

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What makes Grandma’s homemade bread even more delicious? Adding a ribbon of apples covered in cinnamon and brown sugar to the mix.

Photographer: Luca Trovato; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett Miller, Food Stylist: Rori Trovato

Though we love classic apple pies, one that’s made in Grandma’s cast-iron skillet can be just as delicious.

Homemade caramel sauce is the finishing touch that takes this apple coffee cake from good to great.

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Grandma knows that serving apples in a tart allows the fruit to truly shine. Our recipe uses Honeycrisp apples, but you can exploit any crisp variety.

Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

When you can’t decide what dessert to make with fall apples, this recipe is the best of both apple pie and apple cake in one dish.

Helen Norman

Cinnamon-raisin bread and apples come together to create fall’s favorite bread pudding.

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Ginny Branch

This apple bundt cake not only features a decadent Praline Frosting, but it’s also filled with a Cream Cheese Filling.

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Grandma knows that caramel and apples are one of fall’s most active duos. This cake combines both to create one showstopping dessert.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Whether enjoyed alone or alongside a couple spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream, this basic apple dessert is demanding to beat.