5 Best Kinds of Apple Desserts to Make This Fall

Apple desserts are always fall favorites, especially when you make them with freshly picked apples from farmers markets and farm stands. But even supermarket apples are at their best this time of year, and the prices are usually as low as they go. Here are five types of classic apple desserts to enjoy this season.

1. Apple Pies

Apple pie stands on top — whether double-crusted or streusel-topped, deep dish or custard-style. It's America's dessert. You can make apple pie with a pastry crust or crumb topper, or make it as an open-face apple tart, rustic crostata, or simple galette.

Old Fashioned Apple Pie

For this "true classic" apple pie recipe, pick tart, firm apples that will hold up to the baking. "EXCELLENT!" raves SHORECOOK. "I was looking for an apple pie that had a more cinnamon taste than caramel. This was perfect."

Apple Cranberry Pie

Apples play well with other fruits as well. This recipe adds sweet/tart dried cranberries to the mix.

Dutch Apple Pie

Instead of a pie dough top, this tart Dutch apple pie features a cinnamon-sugar crumble topper.

Check out our collection of Apple Pie Recipes.

2. Apple Dumplings and Turnovers

Apple dumplings are whole apples, peeled and cored, stuffed with a sweet mix of spices, raisins and nuts, folded into pastry, and baked until the apples are soft and the pastry is golden.

Apple Hand Pies

"These apple hand pies, also known as apple turnovers, look too perfect to be homemade," says Chef John. "Any of your favorite pie fillings, both sweet and savory, will work. I hope you give this easy technique a try soon. Enjoy!"

Country Apple Dumplings

So simple you won't believe it. All you need are fresh apples, crescent roll dough, citrus soda, butter, cinnamon, and sugar. "I could not believe something so easy could be so good," says kelly011465.

Fried Apple Pies

These little fried pies absolutely burst with apple goodness. "Excellent recipe!" raves JOTOMRIT. "Crusts are so light and flakey!"

3. Apple Crisps, Crumbles, Cobblers, and Brown Betties

Homier than pies, crisps and crumbles are easy to make, perfect when you're in a hurry. The crunchy topping is simply a mixture of oats, flour, butter, and sugar.

Serve these warm, comforting desserts with vanilla ice cream. To dress up your crisps, assemble them in individual ramekins or custard cups instead of in one big pan.

Apple Crisp II

Cinnamon-spiced apples are baked with a sweet oat crumble topping in this easy apple crisp. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. "I have been looking for a great recipe for Apple Crisp," says SLANGWAY, "and now I found it. This recipe was very simple, but probably the best tasting crisp I have ever made."

Emi's Apple Brown Betty

This budget-friendly brown betty made with apple pie filling is a comforting baked dessert. "Yummy!" says Mary. "This is the cobbler that I remember eating as a child. I baked it in a cast iron skillet and added 1/3 cup quick oats.

Apple Crisp Cups

"Sweet cinnamon-scented apples held in a buttery crispy oatmeal cup and crunchy sweet topping," says debbie eckstein. "A yummy one-biter! I like to make sweet treats to share with friends."

4. Apple Strudel and Other Pastries

This classic Austrian dessert consists of spiced apples and nuts rolled into a log of crisp, fine pastry.

Apple Strudel

Sweet apples, currants, and raisins are spiced with cinnamon, wrapped in phyllo with fresh breadcrumbs and baked until golden and hot. "This was the yummiest recipe," says Em Harris. "I am a working chef and this is by far the best way to make a strudel in my opinion, and my customers agree."

Chef John's Apple Fritters

Cooked, spiced apples are folded into a batter and fried until golden brown, then topped with an apple cider glaze. Chef John says he never liked apple fritters until he made his own with lightly sautéed apples instead of raw.

Chef John's Baked Apple Roses

See how to make edible, incredible baked apple roses. This impressive, yet surprisingly simple dessert is made with frozen puff pastry, softened apple slices, and cinnamon sugar. Seee how it's done:

5. Apple Cakes and Cookies

And when you're done with the pies and pastries, there are still cakes and cookies to consider!

Apple Squares

"Apples, nuts and cinnamon make these bars delicious," says BarbiAnn. "They hardly last a day at my house!"

Awesome Apple Pie Cookies

"These mini-apple pies are a sure hit and a perfect use for apples in the fall," says SunnyDaysNora. They look great on a cookie plate and taste great! If any apple mixture remains, it can be served warm over vanilla ice cream!"

Apple Crisp Cheesecake

"A great dessert that combines 2 favorites: apple crisp and cheesecake," says Miriam M. "It's a hit with my family and friends. Enjoy!"

Check out our collection of Apple Dessert Recipes.