When the cool winds blow, we pine for apple desserts. You too? Welcome, friend. Whether they’re sweet or tart, cooked down to a sticky paste or gently warmed to keep their crisp bite, apples only need a little butter, some cinnamon sugar, and heat to shine. (And a scoop of vanilla ice cream never hurts.)
With classic apple pie, buttery crisps, flaky pastries, and glazed apple fritters, this collection of apple dessert recipes makes the most of the season’s bounty. Some are simple enough for a weeknight; others are baking projects worth clearing an afternoon for.
We like firm apples for baking—favorites include Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn. They hold up well in pies, crisps, and cakes, while mixing sweet and tart apples can add complexity. Our guide to the best apples for baking has more advice on which varieties to choose. For peeling, follow the recipe: leaving the skins on adds color and texture, while removing them gives you a softer, more uniform filling.
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