Apple season is the sweetest time of year, and I’ve gathered my very best apple recipes to inspire your fall baking and holiday desserts. From classic apple pies and crisps to tender cakes, cookies, and breads, these recipes celebrate everything we love about apples: cozy, comforting, and full of flavor. Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving menu, baking for your Christmas menu, or just craving a warm fall treat, this collection has the perfect apple dessert for every occasion.
🍎 Apple Pies & Crisps
From warm, buttery crusts (made with my no-fail homemade pie crust or an all-butter pie crust) to golden crumble toppings, these apple pies and crisps are the ultimate cozy fall desserts. Whether you’re craving a no-fuss crisp or a bakery-worthy pie, these recipes highlight apples at their sweetest and most comforting.
1. Classic Apple Pie
Flaky crust, tender spiced apples, and timeless flavor. Serve it with no-churn vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream!
2. Apple Pie Puff Pastry Bake
All the flavor of apple pie in an easy, layered puff pastry bake. I also have a blueberry puff pastry bake and a peach puff pastry bake to try, too!
3. Swedish Apple Pie
A crustless pie with a buttery, cinnamon-sugar topping that’s irresistibly simple. I love it with a drizzle of caramel sauce on there!
4. No-Bake Apple Pie
Perfect when you want all the pie flavor without turning on the oven. You will want to check out more of my no-bake desserts, too!
5. Apple Dumplings
Apple Dumplings are Granny Smith apples wrapped in a flaky pie crust, filled with a spiced butter and brown sugar mixture, topped with a sweet apple cider sauce. It’s a dessert similar to a classic apple pie but in your own individual-sized portion!
6. The Best Apple Crisp
A reader favorite with the perfect balance of tender apples and crunchy oat topping. You will also love my rhubarb crisp and strawberry crisp, too!
7. Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
Your favorite fall dessert made even easier in the slow cooker. Try my Crock Pot Apple Cider, too, made with my homemade apple cider mix.
8. Single Serve Apple Crisp
A warm, spiced dessert made for one (and ready in minutes!). For another single-serving dessert ready in minutes, try my Brownie in a Mug!
9. Apple Pie Bombs
These Apple Pie Bombs are easy, absolutely delicious, and always a crowd pleaser! I also have an Apple Fritter Bomb and an Apple Pie Bomb Wreath, something that is perfect for the holidays!
🍎 Apple Cakes & Breads
From sweet breakfast loaves to shareable cakes, these apple breads and cakes fill your kitchen with the best fall aromas. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or gifting.
10. Apple Fritter Bread
This Apple Fritter Bread is inspired by my Apple Fritters. I wanted the same amazing flavors, but to be able to bake it instead of frying. The entire family agrees it’s a winning quick bread!
11. Apple Cider Donut Bread
One of the most popular recipes on iambaker in 2025. The reason? It is as delicious as promised. All the glorious flavor of an apple cider donut in an easy, quick bread form! It’s based on my equally popular Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread.
12. Apple Cider Blondies
These Apple Cider Blondies are chewy, buttery dessert bars made with apple cider and topped with a sweet mix of apple pie spice and sugar for a tasty Fall treat!
13. Apple Pull-Apart Bread
Layers of soft, buttery bread with cinnamon-spiced apples. You will love my cinnamon roll pull-apart bread, too!
14. Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
An ooey-gooey pull-apart bread (monkey bread) that is filled with chopped apples and covered in a sweet glaze.
15. Apple Fritter Focaccia
This Apple Fritter Focaccia combines fluffy focaccia bread with buttery cinnamon-sugar apples and a sweet glaze. If you love sweet focaccia, you’ll also want to try my Cinnamon Roll Focaccia for another indulgent breakfast or brunch treat.
16. Artisan Apple Bread
Artisan Apple Bread is a family favorite that is easily put together but tastes just like it was baked at a world-class French bakery.
17. Apple Bundt Cake
Apple Bundt Cake is a made-from-scratch cake filled with tart apples and topped with a buttery caramel glaze. This recipe is perfect any time of the year, but I especially love it in the fall!
18. Apple Cider Caramel Sauce
This Apple Cider Caramel Sauce is sweet, creamy, full of apple and cinnamon flavors, and buttery smooth in texture!
🍎 Apple Cookies, Bars, & Muffins
If you love fall flavors in bite-sized form, these apple cookies, bars, and muffins deliver cozy sweetness in every bite.
19. Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Soft cinnamon-spiced oatmeal cookies with bits of Granny Smith apples in every bite.
20. Apple Snickerdoodles
Apple Snickerdoodles feature a soft and chewy snickerdoodle cookie dough filled with a sweet and spiced apple mixture and coated in cinnamon and sugar.
21. Apple Shortbread Bars
This dessert starts with my perfected shortbread recipe. Then, a layer of spiced apples from my apple crisp recipe is layered on top of the shortbread. Finally, the crumble topping is added and baked to a golden brown.
22. Apple Cream Cheese Bars
Full of sweetened apples and a cream cheese layer, topped and baked with oatmeal crumble. It is a cross between a cheesecake and apple crisp that will surely be a crowd favorite. I also have Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars, perfect for Fall or adding to your Thanksgiving menu!
23. Old Fashioned Apple Muffins
Moist, dense muffins loaded with apples and drizzled with a maple glaze, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful dessert option. Check out more of my best muffin recipes, too!
24. Apple Snickerdoodle Muffins
These Apple Snickerdoodle Muffins are the best mashup of two favorites: soft, tender apple muffins and cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle muffins.
🍎 Caramel Apple Desserts
Caramel and apples are a match made in fall heaven. These caramel apple desserts combine sweet, sticky caramel with fresh apples for irresistible flavor and texture. Oh, and it is fun to try these with my apple cider caramel sauce, too!
25. Dwight’s Caramel Apple Pie
Life isn’t complete without an amazing recipe for Apple Pie. Even better if it has been handed down from generation to generation. This Homemade Caramel Apple Pie is filled to the brim with fresh apples and then coated with a from-scratch caramel sauce that will have everyone licking the plate and asking for a second slice.
26. Caramel Apple Cheesecake
A creamy, decadent dessert with layers of caramel apple goodness.
27. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are rich, sweet, and just the right amount of tart from Granny Smith apples, all topped with a buttery crumble and a drizzle of caramel.
28. Caramel Apple Snack Cake
A tender cake filled with fresh apples and flavored with apple pie spice, then baked and drizzled with caramel sauce. To keep the Fall vibes going, you might also want to try my Pumpkin Spice Snack Cake, too!
29. Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Only a handful of ingredients and full of cozy flavor. When you realize how easy dump cakes are to make, you will want to add these recipes to your dessert menu options. Try my Blueberry Dump Cake and my Peach Dump Cake.
30. Caramel Apple Fritter Bread
Caramel Apple Fritter Bread takes my fan-favorite Apple Fritter Bread and layers in a sweet caramel drizzle for the ultimate fall baking treat.
31. Caramel Apple Pecan Scones
Drizzled with caramel and loaded with apples and pecans, these Caramel Apple Pecan Scones are the perfect fall breakfast and anytime coffee break treat!
32. Caramel Apple Crumb Cake
A soft, moist cake topped with spiced, tender apples and a buttery cinnamon crumb topping, all drizzled with caramel.
FAQs
What are the best apples for baking?
Tart, firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn hold their shape and flavor beautifully in pies, crisps, and cakes. For sweeter desserts, try Gala or Fuji; note that they soften more as they bake.
Can I use any type of apple in these recipes?
Yes! Most apples will work in baked desserts, but the texture and sweetness can vary. Using a mix of sweet and tart apples often gives the best flavor balance in pies and crisps.
Can I freeze apple desserts?
Absolutely. Many apple desserts, especially crisps, breads, and cakes, freeze well. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or serving.
How should I store leftover apple desserts?
Most apple desserts can be kept covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for 4-5 days. Always check the specific recipe’s storage notes for best results.
What can I serve with apple desserts?
You can’t go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or other flavors of my easy no-churn ice cream recipes!), a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For a savory twist, pair apple dishes with pork, chicken, or roasted vegetables.
Can I make apple desserts ahead of time?
Yes. Many apple desserts, like crisps, cakes, and pies, can be baked a day in advance. Reheat gently before serving to refresh their texture and aroma.
Can I use canned or frozen apples in desserts?
Yes, both can work in a pinch. Frozen apples are best for crisps, pies, and cakes; just thaw and drain any excess liquid before using. Canned apples or apple pie filling can also be used for a shortcut, but keep in mind they’re already sweetened and softened, so you may want to reduce added sugar in the recipe.
Are apples just for baking?
Not at all! Apples shine in savory dishes, too. Try them in recipes like my apple cider pork chops, apple orchard chicken, or cranberry apple pork tenderloin, just to name a few. Oh, and you will not want to miss my apple whiskey bacon jam, either! These recipes prove that apples aren’t just for desserts; they’re perfect for creating sweet and savory dishes that wow at any meal.
Celebrate the season with these delicious apple recipes. From cozy crisps to caramel-drizzled cakes, there’s a sweet apple treat for every craving!
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