15 Best Southern Dessert Recipes — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Southern desserts are some of the most delicious and comforting treats around. From classic cobblers and pies to modern twists on old favorites, these 15 best Southern dessert recipes are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you’re looking for a classic peach cobbler or a unique twist on a classic, these recipes are sure to please. From light and fluffy cakes to rich and creamy pies, these recipes are sure to become family favorites. So grab your apron and get ready to indulge in some of the best Southern desserts around.

15 Best Southern Dessert Recipes

Southern desserts are some of the most delicious and comforting treats around. From classic cobblers and pies to modern twists on old favorites, these recipes are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert to whip up for a family gathering or a show-stopping finale to a special meal, these 15 best Southern dessert recipes are sure to please. So, grab your apron and get ready to bake up some deliciousness!

1. Peach Cobbler

This classic Southern dessert is a must-have for any gathering. Sweet peaches are topped with a buttery biscuit-like topping and baked until golden brown. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent treat.

2. Pecan Pie

This classic Southern dessert is a favorite for the holidays. A buttery, flaky crust is filled with a sweet and gooey filling made with pecans, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

3. Banana Pudding

This creamy and comforting dessert is a Southern staple. Layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers come together to create a delicious and easy-to-make treat. Top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg for a truly decadent dessert.

4. Red Velvet Cake

This classic Southern cake is a show-stopper. A moist and fluffy red velvet cake is topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting for a truly indulgent treat. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream for a truly decadent dessert.

5. Sweet Potato Pie

This classic Southern dessert is a must-have for the holidays. Sweet potatoes are mashed and combined with butter, sugar, and spices and then baked in a flaky crust. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

6. Hummingbird Cake

This classic Southern cake is a favorite for any occasion. A moist and fluffy cake is filled with bananas, pineapple, and pecans and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream for a truly decadent dessert.

7. Chess Pie

This classic Southern dessert is a favorite for any gathering. A buttery, flaky crust is filled with a sweet and gooey filling made with butter, sugar, and cornmeal. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

8. Caramel Cake

This decadent Southern cake is a show-stopper. A moist and fluffy cake is filled with a creamy caramel frosting and topped with a crunchy pecan topping. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert.

9. Coconut Cake

This classic Southern cake is a favorite for any occasion. A moist and fluffy cake is filled with coconut and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream for a truly indulgent treat.

10. Key Lime Pie

This classic Southern dessert is a must-have for any gathering. A buttery, flaky crust is filled with a tart and tangy filling made with key lime juice and sweetened condensed milk. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

11. Apple Pie

This classic Southern dessert is a favorite for the holidays. A buttery, flaky crust is filled with a sweet and gooey filling made with apples, sugar, and spices. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

12. Chocolate Pecan Pie

This decadent Southern dessert is a show-stopper. A buttery, flaky crust is filled with a sweet and gooey filling made with pecans, chocolate chips, and corn syrup. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

13. Buttermilk Pie

This classic Southern dessert is a favorite for any gathering. A buttery, flaky crust is filled with a sweet and creamy filling made with buttermilk, sugar, and spices. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

14. Chocolate Cake

This classic Southern cake is a favorite for any occasion. A moist and fluffy chocolate cake is topped with a creamy chocolate frosting for a truly indulgent treat. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream for a truly decadent dessert.

15. Pound Cake

This classic Southern cake is a must-have for any gathering. A moist and fluffy pound cake is topped with a sweet glaze for a truly indulgent treat. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a truly decadent dessert.

Is there anything more decadent than an old-school Southern dessert? From Coca-Cola cake to banana pudding to pecan pie, there’s no shortage of delicious treats in the Southern part of the United States.

Whether you’re craving a visit to the South or you just want some new recipes for your repertoire, we have you covered. These Southern dessert recipes are sure to please every palate.

And for what to eat before dessert, check out 22 Meals to Melt Belly Fat in 2022.

Low-calorie banana pudding
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Head to a hole-in-the-wall barbecue restaurant in the South, and you’ll likely find banana pudding on the menu. It’s the perfect ending to a Southern meal.

Get our recipe for Banana Pudding. 

biting into a slice of coca cola cake on a grey plate
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Cake that’s made with Coke? Yep, it’s a Southern thing! And don’t knock it until you try it.

Get our recipe for Coca-Cola Cake. 

Healthy blueberry-peach cobbler
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Looking for a dessert that’s as sweet as a Georgia peach? You can’t go wrong with our cobbler recipe, which adds blueberries for extra flavor.

Get our recipe for a Blueberry Peach Cobbler. 

Vegetarian strawberry shortcake with balsamic
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Strawberry shortcake is delicious on its own, but if you want to kick things up, throw this dessert on the grill. Perfection.

Get our recipe for Grilled Strawberry Shortcake. 

Key lime pie
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Florida is a Southern state, and there’s no more quintessential Floridian treat than key lime pie. It’s a summertime sweet you won’t be able to resist.

Get our recipe for Key Lime Pie. 

RELATED: Easy, healthy, 350-calorie recipe ideas you can make at home.

triple coconut cream pie on a white table with a slice missing
Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Not into key lime pie? Try this coconut cream pie recipe instead.

Get our recipe for Healthier Coconut Cream Pie. 

slice of apple pie topped with ice cream
Shutterstock

We can’t mention Southern pies without the classic apple, a staple at any Southern cookout. Our recipe uses a crumb-based topping, rather than a double crust.

Get our recipe for Apple Pie. 

whole sweet potato pie
Shutterstock

Another pie recipe? What can we say—the South knows how much you can do with a pie crust and some creative filling ideas. Sweet potatoes are North Carolina’s state vegetable, but you’ll find this delicacy all over the U.S. South.

Get the recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking

Red velvet cake slice
Shutterstock

As legend has it, red velvet cake originated in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. But you’ll also find it in plenty of Southern bakeries; it pairs especially well with the classic Southern soda, Cheerwine.

Get the recipe from My Name Is Yeh

hummingbird cake slice on plate
Courtesy of Sallys Baking Addiction

Not into red velvet? Give hummingbird cake a try! This delectable treat features bananas and pineapple for a dessert that’s unlike anything you’ve had before.

Get the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction

whole lane cake on cake stand
Courtesy of Tori Avey

Between all of these pies and cake recipes, the South certainly knows how to create a dessert spread. Lane cake, which originated in Alabama, features white cake layered with raisins and a bourbon filling, finished off with white frosting. If you don’t mind raisins in your dessert, this is one decadent treat.

Get the recipe from Tori Avey

Bananas foster
Shutterstock

We can’t have a list of Southern desserts without this New Orleans treat!

Get the recipe from One Dish Kitchen

pecan pie
Shutterstock

And, we’re back with more pies! Pecan pie is a staple on Southern Thanksgiving tables, though it’s just as delicious year-round.

Get the recipe from The Healthy Foodie

mississippi mud pie
Shutterstock

S’mores lovers will love this gooey, chocolatey treat. With plenty of chocolate and whipped cream to go around, this Southern dessert is perfect for anyone with a serious sweet tooth.

Get the recipe from Diethood

whole custard pie
Shutterstock

Forget crème brûlée. In the South, it’s all about custard pie, made with eggs, vanilla, and cream for an unforgettably rich treat.

Get the recipe from Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking