Best Apple Dessert Recipes for Fall
When the apples come in, this is what to bake. We rounded up the pies, galettes, crisps, bars, cakes, and muffins worth the bushel - each one better with a crunchy sugared top that holds through the bake. The bushel won't bake itself.
Our Apple Top Picks
Four standouts across every category - start here if you're only baking one this weekend.
Harvest Apple Galette
A rustic, free-form galette piled with spiced apples - all the pie payoff, half the fuss. Sparkling Sugar on the folded crust bakes into a crunchy, sugared edge.
Easy Apple Crisp
Spiced apples under a buttery oat streusel - the fastest way to dessert this season. Scatter Sparkling Sugar over the streusel for extra crunch.
Apple Crumb Cake
A soft spiced cake under a thick cinnamon crumb - the coffee-table cake of fall. Sparkling Sugar on the crumb adds a craggy, crunchy top.
Apple Crisp Muffins
All the crunch of apple crisp in a muffin, oat streusel and all. Sparkling Sugar on the streusel for the bakery-style top.
Pies & Galettes
The reason orchards exist. Lattice if you're feeling fancy, galette if you're feeling honest.
Harvest Apple Galette
A rustic, free-form galette piled with spiced apples - all the pie payoff, half the fuss. Sparkling Sugar on the folded crust bakes into a crunchy, sugared edge.
My Favorite Apple Pie
The classic double-crust apple pie, dialed in. Sparkling Sugar over the egg-washed lattice bakes into a glassy, crunchy top.
Quick & Easy Apple Galette
A weeknight-fast galette from store-bought or homemade crust. Sparkling Sugar gives the edge a sugared shine that catches the light.
Apple Galette
Thin-sliced apples fanned over buttery pastry - as pretty as it is easy. A tumble of Sparkling Sugar on the crust for crunch.
Simple Caramel Apple Galette
Caramel + apples + flaky crust, free-form and forgiving. Sparkling Sugar on the edge for that bakery-window finish.
The Sparkly Finish
The finishing touch every apple bake is missing. Our White Sparkling Sugar's big crystals keep their crunch and shine right through baking - just sprinkle before it goes in. All non-GMO sourced.
Crisps & Bars
Streusel does the heavy lifting here - your job is mostly not eating the topping straight off the pan.
Easy Apple Crisp
Spiced apples under a buttery oat streusel - the fastest way to dessert this season. Scatter Sparkling Sugar over the streusel for extra crunch.
Apple Crumble Bars
A shortbread base, apple filling, and buttery crumble, cut into squares - travel-friendly and crowd-sized. Sparkling Sugar on the crumble adds snap.
Apple Pie Bars
All the apple pie flavor in a sliceable bar. Sparkling Sugar on top before baking for a crackly finish.
Cinnamon Apple Pie Bars
Cinnamon-spiced apple squares with a tender crumb. Sparkling Sugar baked into the top for snap.
Apple Crumb Bars
Small-batch apple crumb bars for when you don't need a whole pan. Sparkling Sugar finishes the crumb.
Baked Apple Hand Pies
Portable apple pie - brush the tops, shower with Sparkling Sugar, and bake to a crackly, glinting finish. The exact job sparkling sugar was made for.
Cakes & Breads
The loaves and cakes that make the whole house smell like October.
Apple Crumb Cake
A soft spiced cake under a thick cinnamon crumb - the coffee-table cake of fall. Sparkling Sugar on the crumb adds a craggy, crunchy top.
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake
A cozy, cinnamon-sugar-topped apple cake that comes together in one bowl. Finish the top with Sparkling Sugar for crunch.
Cinnamon Apple Bread
A quick loaf swirled with cinnamon apples. Sparkling Sugar on the crisp top; sub in KAMUT flour for a nuttier, whole-grain crumb.
Apple Crumb Cake (two-layer)
Double the crumb, double the apple - a generous sheet-style cake.
Apple Crisp Coffee Cake
Coffee cake and apple crisp in one pan - streusel on top, apples inside. Sparkling Sugar on the streusel for extra crunch.
Muffins & Breakfast
Because 'apple dessert for breakfast' just needed a different name.
Apple Crisp Muffins
All the crunch of apple crisp in a muffin, oat streusel and all. Sparkling Sugar on the streusel for the bakery-style top.
Easy Apple Oatmeal Muffins
Hearty oat-and-apple muffins, great for meal prep. A dusting of Sparkling Sugar on top before baking.
Double Apple Crisp Streusel Muffins
Apple two ways under a thick streusel cap. Sparkling Sugar on the streusel for crunch and shine.
Apple Fritter Donuts
Baked apple fritter donuts with cinnamon apples throughout. A little Sparkling Sugar for a crackly top.
Apple Fritters
Classic fried apple fritters. Dust with Sanding Sugar after frying for a fine, even finish (added after, so it keeps its sparkle).
Finish Every Bake with Sparkle
Free shipping on orders over $30
The Scoop on our White Sparkling Sugar
The cherry on top of picture-perfect pastries fresh from the oven. Sprinkle it atop muffins, sugar cookies, scones, and whatever else could use a little extra sparkle.
Heat-Resistant Crystals- Extra Coarse Grain
- Professional Quality
- Free shipping on orders over $30
We've Got Answers
What are the best apples for baking?
Firm, tart-leaning varieties hold their shape - Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Braeburn. Mixing a tart and a sweet apple gives the best flavor.
How do you keep apple pie from getting soggy on the bottom?
Pre-cook or macerate-and-drain the filling, thicken with cornstarch or tapioca, and bake on a hot lower rack.
Do you peel apples for baking?
Usually yes for a smooth texture, but leaving skins on adds color and fiber - your call.
Apple crisp vs crumble vs cobbler?
Crisp has oats in the topping; crumble is a streusel without oats; cobbler has a biscuit or batter top.
Can I mix apple varieties?
Yes - combining tart and sweet apples gives more balanced flavor and texture.
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