25 Essential Southern Desserts You Should Make Now
Discover the sweet world of Southern desserts, where history and flavor unite in delightful harmony. From decadent pies to creamy puddings, the South offers a variety of irresistible treats that capture the essence of its rich culinary tradition. Let’s sweeten your kitchen with these 25 must-try desserts, each bringing a taste of Southern hospitality right to your table.
1. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie, a Southern staple, combines a flaky crust with a rich, gooey filling of sugar, butter, eggs, and pecans. This beloved dessert originates from the early settlers who had access to abundant pecan trees. With its caramel-like texture and nutty flavor, it’s a favorite during the holiday season. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate this already delightful treat. Whether enjoyed at a family gathering or a casual dinner, pecan pie promises a taste of Southern comfort that’s hard to resist.
2. Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is a quintessential Southern dessert that’s creamy, sweet, and comforting. Made with layers of vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers, it’s topped with either meringue or whipped cream. This dessert is often served in a large dish, making it perfect for sharing at gatherings. The pudding’s smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the soft bananas and the slight crunch of the wafers. Its origins are traced back to the early 20th century when bananas became widely available in the U.S., quickly becoming a Southern favorite for all ages.
3. Red Velvet Cake
Red velvet cake is a Southern classic known for its vibrant color and rich flavor profile. The cake’s striking red hue is complemented by a tangy cream cheese frosting, creating a delightful contrast. Traditionally, the red color was achieved using beet juice, but modern recipes rely on food coloring. Its soft, velvety texture and subtle cocoa flavor make it a hit at celebrations. Each slice offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, making it a beloved choice for weddings, birthdays, and special occasions throughout the South.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie, a Southern favorite, boasts a creamy, spiced filling that rivals even the finest pumpkin pie. Made with mashed sweet potatoes, evaporated milk, sugar, and spices, it offers a soft, custard-like texture. This pie is a holiday staple, often finding its place on Thanksgiving tables across the South. The natural sweetness of the potatoes combines with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a comforting dessert that’s both nostalgic and satisfying. Enjoy it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance its rich flavors.
5. Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird cake is a tropical delight that brings bananas, pineapple, and pecans together in a moist, flavorful cake. This Southern tradition is often topped with cream cheese frosting, adding a tangy sweetness that complements the cake’s fruity notes. Originating in Jamaica, the cake became popular in the Southern United States during the 1970s. Its name is said to come from its sweetness, as sweet as the nectar that attracts hummingbirds. Perfect for spring gatherings and summer parties, this cake offers a taste of the tropics with a Southern twist.
6. Chess Pie
Chess pie is a simple yet delightful Southern dessert with a history as rich as its filling. Made from basic ingredients like sugar, butter, eggs, and milk, this pie has a custard-like consistency with a slightly crispy top. Its origins are somewhat mysterious, with theories ranging from it being named after pie chests to a mispronunciation of “just pie.” Whatever the origin, chess pie remains a favorite for its simplicity and sweet flavor. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it an ideal choice for afternoon gatherings.
7. Coconut Cake
Coconut cake, a Southern classic, is all about light, fluffy layers and rich coconut flavor. This cake features layers of white cake covered in a creamy coconut frosting, then finished with a generous sprinkling of shredded coconut. It’s a showstopper at any celebration, from birthdays to weddings. The cake’s delicate texture and sweet, tropical taste make it a favorite among coconut lovers. Enjoying a slice transports you to a Southern porch on a warm, breezy afternoon, where this delightful dessert is often accompanied by a glass of sweet iced tea.
8. Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a Southern dessert that perfectly captures the essence of summertime. Made with fresh, juicy peaches and topped with a flaky, buttery biscuit crust, this dessert is both comforting and delicious. The warm peaches release their sweet juices, mingling with sugar and spices to create a luscious filling. Traditionally baked in a cast iron skillet, peach cobbler is often served with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, allowing the cold creaminess to melt into the warm fruit. It’s a seasonal favorite that celebrates the bounty of Southern orchards.
9. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Pineapple upside-down cake is a retro favorite that’s made a sweet comeback in Southern kitchens. This cake features caramelized pineapple rings and cherries, which form a beautiful, glossy topping once the cake is inverted. The moist, buttery cake underneath absorbs the fruity caramel sauce, resulting in a deliciously sticky dessert. Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings, this cake is often baked in a cast iron skillet, enhancing its old-fashioned charm. Each slice offers a taste of nostalgia, where the sweetness of pineapple meets the richness of caramel.
10. Beignets
Beignets are a beloved Southern treat, especially popular in the vibrant city of New Orleans. These pillowy, square-shaped pastries are deep-fried and generously dusted with powdered sugar, creating a sweet, crispy exterior and a soft, airy interior. French settlers brought beignets to Louisiana, and they have since become an iconic part of Creole cuisine. Traditionally served with a cup of cafe au lait, beignets are a breakfast staple or a delightful afternoon snack. Their simplicity and sweetness offer a taste of the Big Easy’s unique culinary heritage.
11. Lemon Icebox Pie
Lemon icebox pie is a refreshing Southern dessert that’s perfect for hot summer days. Made with a simple graham cracker crust and a tangy lemon filling, it’s often topped with whipped cream for extra indulgence. The pie’s name comes from the traditional “icebox” where it was chilled to set, long before refrigerators became commonplace. Its zesty lemon flavor paired with the crunchy crust makes it a delightful treat. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, lemon icebox pie is a go-to dessert for barbecues, picnics, and beach outings.
12. Mississippi Mud Pie
Mississippi mud pie is a rich, indulgent dessert that lives up to its name. With layers of chocolate cake, pudding, and marshmallow, this pie is topped with chopped pecans for added crunch. Its appearance resembles the muddy banks of the Mississippi River, from which it derives its name. This decadent treat is a chocolate lover’s dream, offering intense flavors and varied textures in every bite. Served chilled, Mississippi mud pie is perfect for summer gatherings and holiday feasts alike, providing a sweet escape into a world of chocolatey bliss.
13. Pound Cake
Pound cake, known for its dense texture and rich flavor, is a beloved Southern classic. Traditionally made with a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, this cake is named for its simple yet generous proportions. Over time, variations have emerged, incorporating flavors like vanilla, lemon, or almond. Pound cake is often served plain, but it pairs beautifully with fresh berries, ice cream, or whipped cream. It’s a versatile dessert, perfect for brunches, tea parties, or simply as a sweet treat with your afternoon coffee. Its timeless appeal endures through generations.
14. Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is a Florida classic that has found a cherished place in Southern dessert repertoire. Made with tart key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and a graham cracker crust, it’s a refreshing treat. The pie’s origins are traced to the Florida Keys, where key limes grow abundantly. Its bright citrus flavor is balanced by the creamy filling, making it a delightful contrast in every bite. Often garnished with whipped cream or lime zest, key lime pie is a perfect finish to any meal, especially on warm, sunny days.
15. Derby Pie
Derby pie is a decadent dessert hailing from Kentucky, traditionally enjoyed during the Kentucky Derby festivities. This pie features a gooey filling of chocolate and walnuts encased in a flaky crust, offering a delightful mix of textures. Created in the mid-20th century, Derby pie has become synonymous with Southern hospitality and celebration. Often served with a mint julep, it’s a favorite for entertaining. The combination of rich chocolate, crunchy nuts, and buttery pastry makes it an indulgent treat that’s hard to resist, capturing the spirit of Southern tradition.
16. Bourbon Balls
Bourbon balls are a festive Southern treat with a boozy twist, perfect for special occasions. These confections combine crushed cookies, cocoa, and Kentucky bourbon to create small, bite-sized delights. Rolled in powdered sugar or cocoa, they offer a decadent experience with each bite. Bourbon balls are especially popular during the holiday season, adding a touch of Southern elegance to any celebration. Their rich, chocolatey taste paired with the warmth of bourbon makes them a sophisticated choice for entertaining and a delightful gift for friends and family.
17. Pralines
Pralines are a beloved Southern confection originating from the vibrant streets of New Orleans. These sweet, nutty treats are made by caramelizing sugar and cream, then mixing in pecan halves. Pralines have a rich, buttery texture and a deep, caramel flavor that melts in your mouth. They are often enjoyed as a snack or dessert, capturing the essence of Southern sweetness in each bite. Perfect for gifting or indulging, pralines offer a taste of New Orleans’ culinary heritage, where French Creole influences shine through in this delightful candy.
18. Sweet Tea Ice Cream
Sweet tea ice cream is a unique Southern twist on a classic favorite, transforming the beloved beverage into a creamy dessert. Made by infusing ice cream base with tea leaves and sweetening it with sugar, this frozen treat captures the essence of sweet tea’s refreshing flavor. The ice cream offers a delightful way to cool off on a warm day, evoking images of lazy afternoons on Southern porches. Its subtle tea taste is balanced by the smooth creaminess, making it a refreshing and novel dessert option for tea lovers and ice cream enthusiasts alike.
19. Shoofly Pie
Shoofly pie is a molasses-laden dessert with roots in Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, yet it has become a Southern favorite for its rich, sweet flavor. The pie features a crumbly brown sugar topping over a gooey molasses filling, creating a delightful contrast in texture. Its name derives from the days when pies were cooled on windowsills, attracting flies that needed to be “shooed” away. Shoofly pie is perfect for those who appreciate deep, robust flavors and pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee. It’s a comforting dessert that evokes the warmth of Southern hospitality.
20. Buttermilk Pie
Buttermilk pie is a traditional Southern dessert known for its creamy texture and sweet, tangy flavor. Made with simple ingredients like buttermilk, sugar, and eggs, this pie has a custard-like filling that sets in a buttery crust. Its origins can be traced back to the resourceful cooks who utilized buttermilk in various recipes. Buttermilk pie is often enjoyed year-round, offering a light and satisfying end to any meal. Its smooth, velvety consistency and subtle sweetness make it a beloved choice for dessert lovers seeking comfort and simplicity.
21. Blackberry Cobbler
Blackberry cobbler is a delightful Southern dessert that celebrates the juicy, sweet-tart flavor of ripe blackberries. This dessert combines fresh blackberries with sugar and spices, topped with a golden, flaky biscuit crust. Baked until bubbling, the cobbler is often served warm, allowing the sweet juices to mingle with the tender pastry. Traditionally prepared in a cast iron skillet, blackberry cobbler is a beloved summer treat, especially when blackberries are in season. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a perfect balance of warm and cold, sweet and tart.
22. Fried Pies
Fried pies are a Southern delicacy that combines the flakiness of a pastry with the sweetness of fruit fillings. These handheld treats feature a variety of fillings, such as apple, peach, or cherry, encased in a golden, crispy pastry shell. Fried pies originated as a convenient way to enjoy pie on-the-go, and they remain popular at fairs and festivals throughout the South. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the crunchy exterior and the sweet, juicy filling. Perfect for snacking or dessert, fried pies are a nostalgic taste of Southern tradition.
23. Caramel Cake
Caramel cake is a Southern classic known for its rich, buttery caramel flavor and tender yellow cake layers. This cake features a smooth caramel frosting that envelops each layer, creating a decadent dessert experience. The caramel adds a deep, sweet complexity that complements the moist cake, making it a favorite for celebrations and special occasions. Southern families have passed down caramel cake recipes through generations, each adding their unique touch. With its irresistible sweetness and warmth, caramel cake is a testament to Southern baking at its finest.
24. Sweet Cornbread Cake
Sweet cornbread cake is a delightful Southern twist on traditional cornbread, offering a slightly sweeter and more cake-like texture. Made with cornmeal, sugar, and buttermilk, it’s often baked in a cast iron skillet. This cake pairs beautifully with honey butter, enhancing its natural sweetness and adding a touch of Southern charm. It’s a versatile dish, suitable for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes sweet cornbread cake a comforting choice, bringing a taste of Southern hospitality to any table.
25. Coca-Cola Cake
Coca-Cola cake is a Southern innovation that combines the beloved soft drink with rich chocolate cake. The cake’s unique flavor comes from adding Coca-Cola to the batter, resulting in a moist, tender crumb. Topped with a fudgy chocolate frosting and pecans, it’s a delightful treat for chocolate and cola lovers alike. This cake is often served at picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings, where it never fails to impress. Its rich, chocolatey taste and subtle hint of cola create a dessert that’s both nostalgic and novel, celebrating Southern ingenuity.