33 Stunning Heirloom Apple Desserts

When the weather starts getting a little cooler and the leaves start falling, what better way to welcome in fall than with a homemade pie? This version calls for apples, pears and raisins flavored with rum extract. —Karen Gauvreau, Clearwater, Florida

When you live in apple country, you get the privilege of selecting the apples and recipes you want for year-round enjoyment. Granny Smith apples are tart and crisp. Combined with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg, they make a delightful topping for a cheesecake of the Pacific Northwest. —Grace Hughes, Oroville, Washington

We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California

My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, “Grandma’s apple cake.” They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio

A cookie-like crust holds the sensational filling of cream cheese, apples and almonds. This comforting apple torte will be welcomed addition to a bake sale or potluck. —Sheila Swift, Dobson, North Carolina

My husband loves pie, so I made one with apples, raspberries and cranberries. It’s so good, I bend the rules and let the grandkids have it for breakfast. —Brenda Smith, Curran, Michigan

Our holiday gatherings often included baked brie. I transformed it into a dessert that’s savory and sweet. It still makes a wonderful appetizer, too. —Kristie Schley, Severna Park, Maryland

This dessert definitely represents my area of the country! The recipe is an original that I developed after experimenting and combining parts of several other recipes. So I can claim this recipe as my very own! —Barbara Martin Thompson, Pollock Pines, California

This classic and gorgeous strudel has just what you crave—thin layers of flaky crust and lots of juicy apples. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

How do you make good old-fashioned apple pie even better? Enhance the crust with shredded cheddar cheese and stir browned butter into the filling. Wonderful! —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A fellow home cook shared this recipe for a sweet, fruit-filled pastry. My son, who isn’t a dessert fan, was disappointed when he came home to find his dad had polished off the last kolache in the batch. —Ann Johnson, Evansville, Indiana

I tinkered with a plain apple cake recipe to create this moist, delicious winner. The result: old-fashioned goodness with a heavenly aroma! This cake is the perfect fall treat or holiday dessert, but it’s also great as a special breakfast or brunch item. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

A family friend gave me a simple way to make apple dumplings without lots of steps. I love the sticky cinnamon topping. —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio

My Great-Aunt Lou made a luscious fresh apple cake recipe that became a family tradition. My mom makes it for our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks. —Cristy King, Scott Depot, West Virginia

When I was in high school, my best friend's mother baked this mini apple pie recipe every year. I was thrilled when she shared it with me—I finally felt like an adult! —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas

This is the only apple pie my husband will eat, but that’s all right since he makes it as often as I do. Like a combination of apple and pecan pie, it’s a sweet treat that usually tops off our holiday meals from New Year’s all the way through to Christmas! —Cindy Kleweno, Burlington, Colorado

I call this combination of two classic desserts my “lucky” recipe. It won top honors when I entered the baking contest in my hometown’s annual apple festival. —Jay Hoover, The Villages, Florida

Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas

I bake my family-favorite fall cake to usher in this abundant season. It looks so luscious that eating one piece is nearly impossible. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia

An almond-flavored frangipane creates a nutty bottom layer for my apple tart. Golden phyllo dough creates a delicate and crispy melt-in-your-mouth crust. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana

Apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York

My mother makes incredible apple crisp, and I've added a few twists of my own. We think it's best warm with vanilla ice cream. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

My grandma used to make a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the back yard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apple, pecans, and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri

The sweet dessert dumplings are easy to make and especially delicious. I recommend making extra sauce—people can’t seem to get enough of it. —Cynthia Gonzales, Mercedes, Texas

You'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia and being at my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona

When it’s apple season, we always find room for a slice of this heartwarming torte with a cream cheese layer and apples galore. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California

This apple cheesecake won the grand prize in an apple recipe contest. With caramel both on the bottom and over the top, every bite is sinfully delicious. —Lisa Morman, Minot, North Dakota

Start with a spice-rich batter poured atop apples and cranberries in a creamy caramel sauce, then invert when done baking for a topsy-turvy dessert that’s a real beauty. The old-time holiday taste will delight family and friends! —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

I dressed up an angel food cake mix with some nuts, spice and applesauce to make an easy and light dessert. I serve it with a dollop of whipped topping mixed with a half cup of sour cream. —Joan Buehnerkemper, Teutopolis, Illinois

Fresh cranberries bring tongue-tingling tartness and a bright, lively color to classic apple pie. With orange peel, spices and a crumb topping, this is a favorite with my family. —Jerri Gradert, Lincoln, Nebraska

My husband and I came to Canada over 40 years ago from Holland. This traditional Dutch recipe is a family favorite and frequently goes along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario

This pie has won eight ribbons at area fairs. People say it looks and tastes like a giant apple-cinnamon bun. I take time off from work around the holidays to fill pie requests from family and friends. The recipe has become everyone's favorite. —Susan Frisch, Germansville, Pennsylvania

You can’t beat my mom’s yummy apple pie. Pretty as a picture, the golden crust is flaky and the filling has just the right amount of spices. —Anne Halfhill, Sunbury, Ohio