Everyone loves traditional apple desserts like apple pie, apple crisp, and apple fritters, but what if we told you there are other lesser-known apple desserts that are just as tempting. Ever heard of an apple frangipane cake, a German sunken apple cake, or an apple brownie? No? Then let us introduce you to these desserts that you’ve never heard of. Scroll through to have your apple-loving mind blown.
Apple Crisp Cheesecake
With a layer of graham cracker crust, apples, and oats and a layer of cheesecake, these bars combine two delicious flavors into one perfect dessert. This recipe is easy to make, but reviewers like to simplify it even more by using a store-bought graham cracker crust.
Apple Slab Pie
Slab pies are typically baked on a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan and cut into squares to serve. They’re perfect for large gatherings because they’re bigger and serve more people than a traditional round apple pie. “It was incredibly easy to make, bigger than your average pie, and was absolutely delicious. If you like to make things that are easy to prepare, try this recipe. I know for sure that I will be baking this pie over and over again,” says reviewer BELLAROSE23.
Apple Pot Pies
These quick and easy Apple Pot Pies are made in a muffin tin and ready in just 30 minutes. They use refrigerated pie crust to create individual open-faced pies with an apple, cinnamon, honey, and butter filling. Reviewers like to serve these pies warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Apple Upside-Down Cake
We’re sure you’ve heard of pineapple upside-down cake, but this apple version puts a new twist on that classic favorite. This eye-catching cake bakes in a 10x15x1-inch jelly roll pan and will certainly wow guests at any potluck or party. “What a nice cake to make for a crowd! It has a nice strong cinnamon flavor, a bright apple flavor, and it looks beautiful too,” says Allrecipes Allstar Kim.
Apple Hermits
Traditional hermit cookies are flavored with molasses, but these apple hermit cookies are spiced with cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and packed with apples, raisins, and walnuts. The resulting cookie is soft and chewy with a nice apple flavor. Reviewers say these cookies taste great with or without the confectioners’ sugar glaze, so it’s up to personal preference if you want to use it.
Amish Apple Dumplings
It may seem odd, but these apple dumplings have an entire apple in the center. The apples have their cores removed and are filled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, wrapped in dough, and covered with syrup. Once baked, the dough will turn golden brown and the apples will be tender and soft.
Apple Frangipane Cake
Frangipane is a creamy almond filling used for pies and cakes. This frangipane cake is topped with apples brushed with butter and sugar, powdered sugar, and toasted almonds. “This is a dense, moist, and very flavorful apple frangipane cake that is very almond-forward in a yummy way. The apples complement it nicely and I loved the crunch of the toasted almonds on top,” says recipe creator Pam Lolley.
Torta di Mele (Italian Apple Cake)
This Italian apple cake is flavored with vanilla bean seeds and dotted with apple chunks and butter to create a delicious dessert. Don’t skimp on the apples because they will sink down and distribute throughout the cake during baking.
Versunkener Apfelkuchen (German Sunken Apple Cake)
“For this apple cake you need to cut the apples like a fan not only for looks — this little trick makes the cake especially moist,” says recipe creator Marianne. This recipe calls for three medium apples, but you could need more depending on their size — Marianne recommends using five to seven apples.
Apple Brownies
“Easy and quick to make. Apples and walnuts are packed into a cinnamon-spiced blonde brownie. Always a hit when I bring it to parties. Very moist and great to make in the fall when apples are plentiful,” says recipe contributor BakerJim. If you want a more traditional chocolate brownie flavor, reviewers like to add chocolate chips to these blondies.
Caramel Apple Éclair Cake
This no-bake dessert has layers of cinnamon graham crackers, apples, and vanilla pudding, all topped with a caramel icing. The hardest part about this cake is waiting for it to set up in the fridge for a few hours. To save time, reviewers like to use a can of apple pie filling since it is already spiced.
Warm Apple Buttermilk Custard Pie
This sweet custard pie has a layer of cinnamon-sugar apple filling, a layer of buttermilk custard, and a streusel topping. This pie is quite sweet, so make sure you use Granny Smith apples, or another tart apple, to cut the sweetness. “I made this pie for Thanksgiving and everyone thought it was delicious. It was very sweet but very good,” says reviewer ThePilot’sWife.
Yabluchnyk (Ukrainian Apple Cake)
This Ukrainian apple cake is chock-full of apple flavor thanks to the four large apples in the recipe — reviewers like using Granny Smith or Macintosh apples. The cake is topped with a streusel topping, but reviewers also like to add caramel sauce and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream when serving. “It was simple and delicious! Don’t skimp on the apples or the topping even though they may seem like a lot — the balance is perfect,” says home cook Stephanie R.
Apple Fritter Cake
“This apple fritter cake was inspired by the delicious flavor of a warm, cinnamon apple fritter. The lightly spiced cake batter is baked with plenty of chopped tart apple on top, and then finished with vanilla icing. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.” —Kim
Apple Pie Tiramisu
“Apple pie tiramisu has all the flavor of your favorite apple pie piled into a creamy, layered treat. Ladyfingers are soaked in apple cider instead of espresso. Toasted pecans add a nice buttery crunch to each bite.” —Tricia Manzanero
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Apple Dump Cake
“This Cinnamon Toast Crunch apple dump cake is delicious with cold vanilla ice cream or a cup of coffee, and about the easiest dessert you’ll ever make. With only 4 ingredients, it’s assembled and ready for the oven in 5 minutes.” —Nicole McLaughlin