Every fall, my kitchen basically turns into an apple factory.
I always end up with bags of them piled on the counter.
There’s just something about that crisp, tart-sweet bite that makes me want to bake all the cozy things!
And not just pies (although they are a fave in our home), but things like cheesecake, crumbles, and breads that taste like warm hugs feel.
Apples are so versatile, which means you can go classic or get creative with yummy fall baking.
Anyway, I’m officially declaring it apple dessert season, so let’s check out some recipes I know you’ll want to try:
1. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
To whip up caramel apple cheesecake bars, start by pressing a graham cracker crust into a square baking dish and bake it just until set.
While that’s in the oven, beat together cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and a pinch of cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
Fold in diced apples, then spread the filling evenly over the crust.
Bake until the center is firm, then let the whole pan cool completely.
Once cooled, drizzle caramel sauce over the top and finish with a sprinkle of chopped pecans before cutting into bars.
2. Apple Pie Tacos
If you’ve never tried apple pie as a taco, you’re in for something fun!
Brush small tortillas with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake them upside down over a muffin tin so they form shells.
Cook some apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until soft and glossy.
Spoon the filling into the shells while it’s still warm then add a scoop of ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream.
I always serve these right away because the shells stay crisp that way.
3. Apple Pie
To make a classic apple pie, roll pastry into a pie dish, letting the edges hang slightly over the rim.
Toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg until everything’s evenly coated.
Heap the filling into the crust and dot with butter.
Cover with another crust or weave a lattice on top, then brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake until golden brown with juices bubbling through the slits.
4. Apple Pie Bread Pudding
Apple pie bread pudding is my go-to when I want the house to smell like fall and feel extra cozy!
Tear up chunks of day-old bread and toss them into a buttered baking dish.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, melted butter, and plenty of cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth.
Fold in diced apples, then pour the custard mixture over the bread and let it soak for a few minutes.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top for that sweet crust.
Bake until puffed and golden, and your whole kitchen will smell like warm apple pie.
5. Apple Turnover with Puff Pastry
To make apple turnovers, cut some puff pastry into squares and spoon apple filling into the center.
Fold each square into a triangle and press the edges with a fork to seal.
Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle sugar over them.
Then bake until flaky and golden all the way through.
Oh, and a quick drizzle of glaze makes them look straight out of a bakery!
6. Apple Dump Cake
Apple dump cake is super easy to make!
Just spread some apple pie filling across the bottom of a greased baking dish and prinkle a dry yellow cake mix evenly on top.
Slice butter into thin pats and lay them over the cake mix.
Bake until the top is browned and crisp with bubbling fruit underneath.
That’s it!
Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
7. Apple Caramel Cookies
I’ll be honest, sometimes I bake these apple caramel cookies just for the smell alone.
Cream butter and sugar until light, then beat in eggs and vanilla.
Stir in flour, baking soda, and cinnamon until just combined.
Then fold in diced apples and drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and bake until golden around the edges.
Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle caramel over the tops for some extra sweetness.
8. Apple Cinnamon Bread
To pull together apple cinnamon bread, start by mixing flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
In another bowl, combine melted butter, eggs, sugar, and applesauce.
Stir the wet and dry ingredients together, then fold in small chunks of apple.
Pour into a loaf pan and sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar swirl across the top.
Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and the crust is golden.
9. Apple Sauce
Homemade applesauce is way easier than people expect!
Peel and chop a pile of apples, then toss them in a pot with water, sugar, and cinnamon. Simmer until the apples soften completely.
Mash with a fork for a chunky texture or blend for a smooth finish.
Adjust sugar depending on the sweetness of your apples.
I like making a big batch because it freezes really well.
10. Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is another classic I can’t resist making every fall.
To start, spread sliced apples in a baking dish and toss with sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
In a bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, flour, and butter until it clumps together.
Scatter the topping evenly over the apples.
Bake until the fruit bubbles up and the topping turns golden brown.
This one also needs a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
11. Baked Apple Tart
I love baked apple tarts because they look fancy but barely take any effort.
Roll some puff pastry into a rectangle and prick the center with a fork, leaving a small border.
Arrange thin apple slices in neat rows across the pastry.
Sprinkle with sugar and brush melted butter over the fruit.
Bake until the edges puff and the apples are tender.
A quick glaze of warmed apricot jam gives it shine!
12. Apple Blondies
Melt butter and mix it with sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then stir in flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until smooth.
Fold in some chopped apples and spread the batter into a baking pan.
Bake until the top turns golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
These apple brownies cut into chewy squares that feel like a cross between a bar and a cake.
13. Apple Fritter Bread
To make apple fritter bread, whisk some flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl, then combine eggs, sugar, and milk in another.
Pour the wet into the dry and fold until combined.
Layer the batter with apple chunks and cinnamon sugar in a loaf pan.
Swirl it all gently with a knife to marble it then bake until golden with a soft crumb inside.
14. Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
In another bowl, beat eggs with sugar, oil, and milk.
Stir the two together, then fold in apple pieces.
Divide the mix into muffin cups and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake until they rise high and the tops are slightly crisp.
These apple cinnamon muffins are perfect for grabbing on busy mornings (or enjoying with a warm cup of coffee!).
15. Apple Crumble Cheesecake
Apple crumble cheesecake has all the beautiful texture of a crumble with the softness of a cheesecake!
Press crushed graham crackers into the bottom of a springform pan for the crust.
Blend cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until creamy, then pour it over the crust.
Toss some diced apples with cinnamon and scatter them on top.
Mix flour, brown sugar, oats, and butter for a crumble topping and sprinkle it generously.
Bake until it sets with a golden crown of streusel.
16. Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Apple pie cinnamon rolls are a mash-up I never get tired of.
To make them, roll out dough into a rectangle and spread with butter.
Sprinkle a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and diced apples over the top.
Then roll the dough tightly into a log and slice into rounds.
Arrange them in a pan and let them rise before baking until fluffy and golden.
And drizzle icing while they’re still warm!
17. Apple Crumb Cake
To make an apple crumb cake, start with a simple batter with flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, then pour it into a cake pan.
Spread apple slices across the batter in an even layer.
Mix some flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter into crumbs and scatter over the apples.
Bake until the crumbs are crisp and the cake is tender.
18. Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Line a cake pan with caramel sauce and arrange thin apple slices across the bottom.
Then prepare a simple cake batter with flour, sugar, eggs, and butter.
Pour the batter over the apples and bake until golden.
Flip the cake out onto a plate so the apples show on top.
I always feel a little dramatic flipping this caramel apple upside down cake over, but it’s worth it for that glossy finish.
19. Baked Apple Donuts
Whisk some flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in one bowl.
In another bowl, mix eggs, milk, and melted butter.
Combine the two, then fold in shredded apple.
Spoon the batter into greased donut pans and bake until puffed and golden.
Roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm.
Baked apple donuts disappear faster than any other fall treat I make.
20. Apple Pie Dip
This apple pie dip is a quick favorite when friends come over.
Cook chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until soft.
Stir in a splash of vanilla for extra flavor.
Mash slightly with a fork so it’s thick but spreadable.
Serve it warm with graham crackers or cinnamon pita chips (yum!).
21. Apple Pie Bombs
My kids love these apple pie bombs and they’re so easy to make!
Flatten biscuit dough rounds and place spoonfuls of apple pie filling in the center.
Pinch the edges closed to seal and place seam side down in a muffin tin.
Brush them with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake until puffed and golden brown.
22. French Apple Cake
Sometimes I make a french apple cake one just to feel like I’m in a little Paris café!
To make it, beat eggs with sugar until pale and fluffy, then fold in melted butter and vanilla.
Stir in flour and baking powder until smooth then add sliced apples and coat them well in the batter.
Pour into a springform pan and bake until golden with a slight crust on top.
The apples settle throughout, giving every slice a tender bite.
Apple Desserts Worth Every Bite
Apples really do have a way of sneaking into just about every kind of dessert, don’t they?
And these recipes are the kind you can pull off on a busy Tuesday night!
I always say fall isn’t complete until the oven’s been working overtime with apples.
