20 Apple Desserts That Always Bake Up Right

Apples bring a lot more to dessert than just the usual pie. They can be layered into buttery cakes, folded into pastries, stirred into creamy fillings, or baked into cookies with cinnamon and glaze. This list has a mix of cozy bakes, low-effort sweets, and rich showstoppers, all using apples as the main flavor. You’ll find crumble toppings, caramel drizzles, cheesecake layers, and soft cinnamon rolls packed with fruit. Whether you’re looking for something simple or something that’ll get attention at the table, these apple desserts cover all the bases.

Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies

A plate of round, frosted cookies topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, arranged on a wooden surface. — Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

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These buttery cookies are flavored with apple cider for a seasonal twist on the usual shortbread. The texture stays crisp on the edges with a soft bite in the center. You can drizzle them with cider glaze or serve plain. A great treat for fall afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Shortbread Cookies

Iced Apple Cookies

Three oatmeal cookies with white icing drizzle are arranged on a white square plate. An apple, cinnamon sticks, and oats are visible in the background. — Iced Apple Cookies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Soft, cake-like cookies filled with apple pieces and finished with a light glaze. The cinnamon and apple flavor comes through in every bite. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing. Let them cool before icing for a clean finish.
Get the Recipe: Iced Apple Cookies

Apple Blackberry Crumble

A bowl of fruit crumble with oats on top, featuring apples and blackberries. A fresh apple and blackberries are placed beside the bowl. — Apple Blackberry Crumble. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

This fruit crumble mixes tart blackberries with sweet apples under a golden oat topping. It bakes until bubbling and crisp. Serve warm with cream or ice cream. A bold take on the usual apple-only dessert.
Get the Recipe: Apple Blackberry Crumble

Apple Cobbler Cake Recipe

A baked apple dessert topped with pecans in a rectangular dish, surrounded by whole apples and a colorful napkin. — Apple Cobbler Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

This cake bakes with apple slices nestled on top, forming a soft, cinnamon-sweet layer as it rises. The texture falls somewhere between cobbler and classic cake. It’s great served warm or cold. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cobbler Cake Recipe

Apple Pie

A slice of crumb-topped pie on a white decorative plate with a fork next to it. A red and white cloth is partially visible in the corner. — Apple Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

A double-crust pie with a thick apple filling spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. The crust turns golden and flaky while the apples soften underneath. Serve warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla. A classic that never needs changing.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie

Apple Cream Scones

A slice of an Apple Scones on a white plate and a cup of tea. — Apple Cream Scones. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These tender scones use cream for richness and diced apple for moisture and flavor. They rise high in the oven and bake golden on top. Serve warm with butter or a drizzle of icing. A nice choice for breakfast or afternoon tea.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cream Scones

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

A slice of apple cinnamon coffee cake on a plate. — Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This cake bakes with caramel and apple slices at the bottom, then gets flipped to reveal a sticky, glossy top. The cake itself is soft and buttery. Best served warm while the caramel is still a little gooey. A showy dessert with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

A close-up of a sliced cheesecake with a pecan topping on a graham cracker crust, placed on a red-striped cloth. — Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Apples, bourbon, and toasted pecans layer over a creamy cheesecake base for a rich, textured dessert. Chill fully before slicing so everything holds together. The mix of crunch, spice, and smooth filling makes it stand out. Great for holidays or gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Apple Cinnamon Cake

A light, moist cake loaded with apple pieces and cinnamon throughout. The crumb is soft and the top can be glazed or left plain. It’s simple but flavorful, perfect with coffee or tea. Works well as a snack or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Cake

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

These rolls swirl cinnamon sugar and diced apples into soft dough, baked until golden. They’re sticky and sweet with a gooey center. Top with cream cheese frosting or a vanilla glaze. Best served warm right from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Danish with Crumble Topping

Four squares of pastry with icing on a wooden cutting board. — Apple Danish with Crumble Topping. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Flaky pastry holds a sweet apple filling and gets topped with a buttery crumble before baking. The texture is crisp on the edges and soft in the center. Serve warm with a light glaze or dusting of sugar. Great for brunch or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Apple Danish with Crumble Topping

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

A bowl of cake with ice cream on top. — Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Apple pie filling and caramel get topped with boxed cake mix and butter, then baked until golden and bubbling. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal prep. Scoop straight from the pan. Serve with ice cream if you want to dress it up.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

A piece of cake on a blue plate with a fork. — Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

This layered dessert has a fudgy brownie base, creamy cheesecake, and caramel apple topping. It bakes into a rich, dense bar with tons of texture. Chill before slicing for clean cuts. A bold, over-the-top treat.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

Instant Pot Apple Pie Cheesecake

Slice of apple pie cheesecake in front of the Instant Pot. — Instant Pot Apple Pie Cheesecake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This pressure-cooked cheesecake features spiced apple topping and a buttery crust. It comes out creamy and set without needing the oven. Chill before serving. A fun mix of apple pie and classic cheesecake flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Apple Pie Cheesecake

Apple Tarte Tatin with Pears

Apples and pears caramelize under puff pastry before getting flipped to show off a glossy fruit layer. The crust stays crisp while the fruit turns soft and sweet. Serve warm with whipped cream. A French dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Apple Tarte Tatin with Pears

Apple Cranberry Galette

This rustic tart folds thin-sliced apples and tart cranberries into a flaky, golden crust. The fruit softens and bubbles while the edges brown. It’s easier than pie but just as good. Best served slightly warm.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Galette

Apple Puff Pastry Tart

A dessert plate with apple slices, a pastry drizzled with icing, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with syrup. A checkered cloth is nearby. — Apple Puff Pastry Tart. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Sliced apples lay over a sheet of puff pastry and bake until golden and crisp. A brush of jam or honey adds shine and sweetness. Quick to make and great with powdered sugar or cream. Cut into squares or slices to serve.
Get the Recipe: Apple Puff Pastry Tart

Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake

This soft cake has apple pieces and a ribbon of cinnamon sugar baked into the middle. The sour cream keeps it moist and rich. Add a crumb topping or glaze if you want extra sweetness. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Get the Recipe: Apple Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Apple Cake with Cinnamon

A cast iron skillet filled with sliced apple tart, several slices cut and served, with a half apple and a plate of tart on the side. — Apple Cake with Cinnamon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This cake is dense and full of apple chunks with cinnamon in every bite. It’s simple and satisfying with or without frosting. Works well in a loaf, round, or square pan. Serve with tea or as an afternoon snack.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cake with Cinnamon

Apple Crisp

Soft, baked apples sit under a crunchy oat and brown sugar topping. It’s warm, sweet, and easy to put together. Serve straight from the oven with ice cream. A go-to fall dessert that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp