Southern desserts are the epitome of decadent. Full of cream, butter, sugar, and all things wonderful, they’re perfect for bringing people together.
Break out the gingham tablecloth, and get ready for this divine list of classics like peach cobbler, pecan pie, and hummingbird cake. These desserts would make any southern grandma proud, so don your apron, pre-heat the oven, and get started baking up some sweet comfort food for your family.
Old Fashioned Southern Desserts
Nothing takes me back to my childhood quite like a good, old-fashioned southern dessert like banana pudding or Mississippi mud cake. I remember being surrounded by aunts, uncles, and grandparents at the table, laughing and eating without a care in the world.
The helpings were big, and so was the love. I hope these recipes bring back great memories for you, too.
Sweet Potato Cupcakes: If you’ve ever had sweet potato cake, this is just the dressed-up hand-held version. It’s kind of a cross between cake and sweet potato casserole. You’re going to love the toasted marshmallow topping. (via Sequins in the South)
Southern Peach Cobbler: Sweet peaches covered in butter, brown sugar, spices and cobbler batter… what could be better? Serve it warm along with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Mmm. (via The Gracious Wife)
Hummingbird Cake: This classic southern cake was originally found in Southern Living magazine. It’s chock full of bananas, pineapple, and pecans, and is topped with an incredible cream cheese frosting. (via Home Made Interest)
Classic Southern Banana Pudding: This dessert gets everyone smiling! It’s a creamy sweet treat full of banana pieces, whipped vanilla pudding, and tasty vanilla wafers between each layer. It is the best choice for a crowd-pleasing dessert. (via Orchids & Sweet Tea)
Mississippi Mud Cake: This classic Southern cake is perfect for sharing at potlucks and family get-togethers. It’s made with chocolate, marshmallows, and pecans, so it’s no wonder it disappears so fast.
Southern-Style Coconut Cake with Coconut Buttercream: This sweet southern coconut cake is made from scratch. The cake is moist and melts in your mouth. It’s fluffy and white like snow, so it’ll be a big hit during the winter. Plus, coconut cake was one of Elvis’s favorite desserts, and the King can’t be wrong. (via The Good-Hearted Woman)
Southern Strawberry Coconut Punch Bowl Cake: This gorgeous dessert is made with scrumptious layers of angel food cake, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and coconut. Many people call it a trifle, but it’s called a punch bowl cake in the South! (via The Kitchen is My Playground)
Old-Fashioned Pound Cake: Traditional pound cake is the perfect dessert to make for company because it’s so simple. Serve as is or top with a lemon or orange zest glaze. Homemade whipped cream and fruit are also tasty topping choices. (via Farmette Kitchen)
Grandma’s Blackberry Cobbler: This easy cobbler is made with fresh blackberries and fluffy balls of biscuit dough that soak up all of the blackberry juice. Yum! (via Home Made Interest)
Applesauce Cake: This applesauce cake is moist, delicious, and baked from scratch, just like grandma used to make. It has the perfect combination of spices, sugar, applesauce, walnuts, and raisins. (via Spaceships & Laser Beams)
Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy: This Southern confection is perfect for adding to a plate of holiday goodies for friends and neighbors. It’s a meringue-based candy that’s billowy light and super sweet. It’s divine! (via House of Nash Eats)
Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies: These babies go fast! They’re made with a homemade apple filling and homemade or store-bought pie crust. You can also pair this crust with cherry pie filling for a different sweet treat. (via A Farm Girl’s Kitchen)
Oatmeal Pie: Oatmeal pie, also known as mock pecan pie, is a wonderful budget-friendly dessert. It has a crunchy top and thick, sweet filling. (via Vintage Recipe Tin)
Caramel Icing Made the Old Fashioned Southern Way: It takes a while to make, but this caramel icing may be the best icing you’ve ever tried. It’s a little crunchy on the outside but soft and smooth when you bite into it, so it’s perfect for topping your caramel or vanilla cupcakes. (via Cupcake Project)
Southern Buttermilk Pie: Sweet, tangy, and creamy, this buttermilk pie is a favorite among southerners. It’s similar in consistency to a custard, but it only takes 10 minutes to prepare. (via Little Sweet Baker)
Cola Chocolate Cake: Cola chocolate sheet cake is super moist and so delicious. Mini marshmallows are added to the mix for extra sweetness in every bite. (via Eating on a Dime)
Chocolate Pecan Pie: Rich chocolate filling with flaky crust and buttery pecans make this the best chocolate pecan pie you’ve ever eaten. It’s a real winner during the holiday season. (via Belle of the Kitchen)
Homemade Whoopie Pies: Homemade whoopie pies bring back so many great memories. Forget the store-bought version. Homemade whoopie pies are so much better, and they’re easier to make than you think! (via Organized 31)
Traditional Apple Pie: Apple pie is All-American, but it’s definitely a popular recipe in the south. This classic version features a sweet apple pie filling in a flaky pie crust. The sweet glaze on top makes it absolute perfection. (via The Gracious Wife)
Brown Sugar Pie: You’re in for a treat if you’ve never had brown sugar pie. It’s easy, rich, and full of brown sugar flavor. The crispy caramelized crust on top is the best part, but the ooey, gooey brown sugar inside is a close second. Top with whipped cream or butter pecan ice cream. (via Pizzazzerie)
Strawberry Pretzel Salad: Not sure why it’s called a salad… it’s just a layered dessert that starts with a crushed pretzel crust, a layer of cream cheese and whipped topping, followed by a layer of Jello and strawberries. When it’s all together, though, every bite is a delicious blend of salty and sweet. (via Creative Southern Home)
Which one of these southern desserts do you want to make first? Let us know what your favorite down-home confection is in the comments!
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