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One of the best ways to welcome fall is with a trip to the apple orchard. Apple picking is right up there with leaf peeping when it comes to favorite fall activities, and let's be honest—most people are already dreaming about it before summer's even over. It also means it's finally time to bring out all the warm, cozy apple desserts you wait for all year long. Sure, you can find apples at the store any time, but there's something extra special about making apple recipes in the fall. From spiced apple pie to delicious apple cakes and back-to-school snacks, this list has all the best apple dessert recipes to get you excited for baking season.
The best part about these apple desserts is that they're all incredibly easy to make. There are quick-cooking apple fritters and simple baked apples that are perfect for a last-minute fall dinner party. And if you want a dessert with even more warm and seasonal flavors, choose from one of the apple cinnamon recipes ahead. We're certain the apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies will be a hit at your next school bake sale, and who wouldn't want an extra scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a crisp? But no matter which sweet treat you choose, these apple desserts are sure to get you excited about the baking season.
1
Apple Dumplings
Will Dickey
This is basically the best dessert of all time. The old-fashioned recipe calls for for Granny Smith apples, canned crescent rolls, a can of Mountain Dew, and more butter than you've ever seen in your lifetime. Enough said!
You can't have an apple dessert list without a classic pie! This one is a beauty: It's piled high with fresh apples and made ultra rich and dreamy with the addition of cream and all sorts of sugary, naughty goodness.
With any good crumble, there needs to be as much topping as there is fruit filling. Those are the rules! This apple crumble is a luscious fall dessert that's perfect if you want an easy alternative to homemade apple pie.
If you dream about apple cider doughnuts all year long, this cake will make your fall. It's got the soft, tender crumb of the classic treat with a cinnamon-sugar coating that gives it just the right crunch. Perfect with coffee. Or cider. Or both.
This crisp is sweet, tart, and just a little fancy thanks to a sprinkle of pistachios on top. The combo of green apples and raspberries is downright delicious—and yes, it definitely calls for a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream.
Nothing says old-school comfort like a baked apple. These are stuffed with a buttery oat filling, drizzled with glaze, and served warm enough to melt the ice cream on top. Best part? Everyone gets their own.
No peeling required? Count us in. This cobbler keeps things simple by using apple slices with the skins on, which adds pretty color and a little extra texture. It comes together in just 15 minutes and bakes up golden, bubbly, and dreamy.
Think of these as the cookie version of your favorite fall treat. They're soft, spiced just right, and topped with a luscious caramel frosting that takes them over the top. Perfect for bake sales, lunchboxes, or sneaking straight from the tray
If you're looking for an easy snack that feels a little fancy, this creamy caramel apple dip is the answer. It's sweet, tangy, and topped with chopped peanuts for a little crunch. Slice up some apples and dive in.
All the goodness of a full-size pie, but in cute little hand-held packages. These mini apple pies are made with store-bought dough to keep things simple, but the flavor? Big. Bake a batch and watch them disappear.
Caramel and apple were just meant to be together. These cupcakes are soft, sweet, and topped with a rich caramel drizzle that makes every bite feel like fall!
It looks fancy, but this apple tart couldn't be easier. Frozen puff pastry keeps prep simple while still delivering a beautiful, golden crust. It's buttery, flaky, and just the thing to serve with coffee or tea.
Bring a little orchard magic to your own kitchen with these homemade doughnuts. You can bake them or fry them, but either way, they're so soft, extra cinnamony, and absolutely worth it.
Ree calls these "little nuggets of cinnamon-apple wonderfulness." And that sounds like the perfect description we ever did see! A dusting of powdered sugar or a dip in glaze makes them extra special.
Make something else for breakfast, because those cornflakes have a better job today! As a topping, they add a perfect crunch to a sweet apple filling, made even richer thanks to a gooey butterscotch sauce.
With a buttery shortbread crust, layers of tender apples and a maple syrup glaze, these bars are the ultimate fall treat. Plus, they're easy to pack up for holidays or potlucks!
Apple strudel is a traditional Viennese pastry that usually requires a lot of work, but this easy version has a shortcut ingredient that will save you a ton of time: store-bought phyllo dough!