It’s officially time to start working on our fall bods (aka re-acquainting ourselves with the wonders of butter and sugar). And no one does decadent desserts better than Southerners. Here are 15 of our favorite treats from below the Mason-Dixon Line. BYO porch swing, lemonade and gingham tablecloth.
15 Southern Desserts Everyone in the Universe Should Make (and Eat)
Skillet Peach Cobbler
Ditch the rolling pin and have this on the table in less than an hour.
Hummingbird Cake
It’s like banana bread and carrot cake had a delicious, cream cheese-frosted baby.
Get the recipe
Brown Butter Chess Pie
The Southern predecessor to Momofuku’s famous Crack Pie, this is the stuff that sweet, gooey dreams are made of.
Bourbon Peach Hand Pies
Peaches? Check. Bourbon? Check. Ability to be packed in a picnic basket? Check. Southern dessert trifecta unlocked.
Ten-minute Strawberry Cobbler For One
Because sometimes you just can’t wait. Or share. Or wash dishes. We get it.
Banana Pudding
We’re not sure who came up with the idea of layering vanilla pudding, bananas, whipped cream and Nilla wafers, but whoever they are, we want to give them a hug.
Mini Pecan Pies
Everyone should know how to make the bite-sized version of this Southern classic, which is just as perfect at Thanksgiving as it is at the end of a summer barbecue.
Sweet Potato Chess Pie
Ease your way into PSL season.
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
The tartness of the rhubarb brings out the sweetness of the summer berries. Ice cream: not optional.
Caramel Cake
This yellow layer cake might look simple, but the rich caramel frosting gives it a surprisingly complex flavor.
Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Rolls
If breakfast for dinner is a thing, then so is dessert for breakfast. Right?
Bananas Foster Cake
As delicious as it is Instagrammable.
Blueberry Buckle
We’re suckers for any dessert with a funny name (slump! crumble!). Think of this as the moistest, crumbliest coffee cake you’ve ever had.
Pecan Praline Cake
We’ll eat anything topped with pralines, a creamy combo of syrup and pecans made famous in Louisiana. But when it’s sprinkled on a cake, even better.
Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding
IDs, please.