12 Apple Desserts for Fall Feasts

Caramel Apple Crisp

A delightful twist on the classic apple crisp, combining the rich flavors of caramel and fresh apples for a comforting fall dessert.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a baking dish, toss apple slices with caramel sauce until well coated.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon to form a crumbly topping.
4. Spread the topping evenly over the apples.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
6. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Apple Cider Donuts

These apple cider donuts capture the essence of fall with their spicy, sweet flavor and soft, cakey texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Cooking method:

1. Reduce apple cider in a saucepan over medium heat until it measures about 1/2 cup; let cool.
2. Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs, buttermilk, and reduced cider.
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry until combined, refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
5. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness, cut donuts, and fry in heated oil until golden.
6. Dust with cinnamon sugar after frying.

Baked Apple Roses

These elegant apple roses make a stunning dessert centerpiece, combining the flavors of apple and puff pastry in a beautiful presentation.

Ingredients:

• 2 red apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 2 tablespoons apricot jam
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking method:

1. Mix apple slices with lemon juice and microwave until pliable.
2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into 2-inch wide strips.
3. Spread a thin layer of apricot jam on each strip.
4. Arrange apple slices along the edge of the pastry strip, slightly overlapping each other.
5. Sprinkle cinnamon over apples, then roll pastry to form a rose.
6. Place roses in a muffin tin and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes.
7. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Spiced Apple Cake

A moist, flavorful cake infused with warm spices and chunks of fresh apple, perfect for cozy autumn gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cups peeled and diced apples

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Cream butter with sugars until light, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in vanilla and sour cream, then fold in dry ingredients.
5. Stir in diced apples and pour batter into prepared pan.
6. Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool and optionally glaze with cinnamon icing.

Apple Galette

This rustic apple tart is easy to make yet impressively delicious, with flaky pastry and a rich apple filling.

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust
• 3-4 apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out pie crust on a baking sheet.
3. Mix apple slices with sugar, flour, and cinnamon, then arrange on crust, leaving a 2-inch border.
4. Fold edges of the crust over the apples and dot with butter.
5. Brush crust with egg wash.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
7. Cool slightly before serving.

Apple Bread Pudding

A comforting dessert that combines the creamy texture of bread pudding with the sweet flavors of apples and spice.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cubed day-old bread
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large apples, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a baking dish.
2. In a bowl, whisk milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Add bread cubes and diced apples to the mixture and let soak for 15 minutes.
4. Pour into baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until set and golden.
6. Serve warm, optionally with caramel sauce.

Apple Cranberry Pie

A festive pie that combines tart cranberries and sweet apples for a holiday-worthy dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 double pie crust
• 4 cups peeled and sliced apples
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Line pie dish with one crust.
3. Toss apples and cranberries with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice, then fill crust.
4. Dot with butter and cover with top crust, sealing edges.
5. Cut slits in top crust for steam to escape.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.
7. Cool before slicing.

Apple Fritters

These crispy, sweet fritters are filled with chunks of apple and coated in a cinnamon-sugar glaze.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups diced apples
• Oil for frying
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (for glaze)

Cooking method:

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Stir in milk and eggs until just combined, then fold in apples.
3. Heat oil in a pot, drop batter by spoonfuls into hot oil.
4. Fry until golden brown, turning once.
5. Drain on paper towels, then dip in glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
6. Serve warm.

Apple Turnovers

These flaky turnovers are filled with a sweet apple filling and make for a perfect handheld dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
• 2 large apples, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix apples with sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
3. Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 squares.
4. Place apple filling on each square, fold over to form triangles, and seal edges.
5. Brush with egg wash and cut small slits on top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
7. Cool slightly before serving.

Apple Cheesecake Bars

These creamy cheesecake bars are layered with spiced apples and a crumbly streusel topping, perfect for any fall gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 packages (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cold butter

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine graham crumbs with melted butter and press into a baking dish.
2. Beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth, then add eggs and vanilla.
3. Spread cheesecake mixture over crust.
4. Toss apples with cinnamon and sprinkle over cheesecake layer.
5. Mix flour, brown sugar, and cold butter to make streusel; sprinkle on top.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until set.
7. Cool before cutting into bars.