23 Decadent Sweets from Dixie

Jenny deRemer

Oct 27, 2025

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Southern desserts are a delightful mix of tradition and indulgence, with classics like peach cobbler, banana pudding, and pecan pie taking center stage. Whether you’re craving the warm comfort of bread pudding or the creamy richness of buttermilk pie, these recipes showcase the best of Southern baking, full of nostalgia and unforgettable flavors!

Table of Contents

Semi-Homemade Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake

Festive cake topped with sugared cranberries and drizzled with white icing, surrounded by sprigs of pine on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Semi-Homemade Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake is incredibly moist, packed with festive flavors, and the ultimate sour cream cake for the holidays. The sweet citrus of oranges and the tartness of cranberries fill the air with a delightful scent, reminiscent of a fresh orange pomander. It’s a treat that brings the warmth and cheer of the season right into the kitchen!

Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Cranberry Orange Christmas Cake

Magic Cake with Autumn Apples

A slice of creamy, custard-filled cake dusted with powdered sugar sits on a white plate. A fork with a piece of the cake rests beside it, revealing the smooth, yellow filling and flaky layers. The background is blurred, emphasizing the dessert.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

The Magic Cake with Autumn Apples, often called Custard Cake, comes together with just one easy batter made from six simple ingredients. The added apples bring an extra layer of fall flavor, creating a sweet, custardy treat that feels perfect for the season!

Get the Recipe: Magic Cake with Autumn Apples

Pistachio-Cardamom Bundt with Rosewater Glaze

A Bundt cake is topped with white icing and sprinkled with chopped pistachios. The cake is presented on a white plate, with a yellow cloth and a decorative piece of pottery in the background on a dark surface.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

It just wouldn’t be a celebration without cake, and this Pistachio-Cardamom Bundt with Rosewater Glaze might be the reason for celebrating all on its own! Buttery and rich with a nutty pistachio flavor, it’s crowned by a fragrant rosewater glaze, making it a stunning centerpiece for any special occasion.

Get the Recipe: Pistachio-Cardamom Bundt with Rosewater Glaze

Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake

A freshly baked cranberry skillet cake sits on a wooden board next to a spoon. Some cranberries are scattered nearby, and a teapot can be seen in the background.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake is the perfect dessert for fall and winter, with its classic upside-down style showcasing a deliciously tangy and sweet topping. This festive cake is ideal for sharing during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special holiday gathering, making 12 generous servings. Its combination of tart cranberries and rich brown sugar creates a perfectly balanced treat that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite.

Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Cranberry Brown Sugar Cake

Church Street Cheesecake Squares

Close-up of a slice of crumb cheesecake on a white plate. The cheesecake has a creamy yellow layer topped with a golden brown crumb topping and a brown crust at the base. The background includes festive holiday decorations.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Rich and creamy with a touch of lemon and the sweetness of pecans in the graham cracker crust, Church Street Cheesecake Squares are sure to earn you rave reviews. Their smooth texture and bright flavor make these bars a standout treat that will impress any crowd!

Get the Recipe: Church Street Cheesecake Squares

Pineapple Cherry Nut Cookies

Close-up of colorful cookies with red, green, and dark chocolate chunks, cooling on a wire rack. Warm fairy lights are draped around, and a red ornament is blurred in the background, adding a festive touch.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Packed with flavorful mixed fruits and crunchy nuts, Pineapple Cherry Nut Cookies are perfect for holiday gifting or simply savoring on your own. These fruitcake-inspired treats bring the festive flavors of fruitcake into a bite-sized, delicious cookie form, making them a delightful addition to any holiday dessert spread!

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cherry Nut Cookies

No Bake Gingerbread Rum Balls

A white bowl filled with powdered sugar-coated chocolate truffles sits on a white wooden surface. Surrounding the bowl are festive holiday decorations, including red pom-poms, a silver tinsel garland, pinecones, pine needles, and red berries.
No Bake Gingerbread Rum Balls. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Enjoy the festive flavors of gingerbread with a kick by trying these No Bake Gingerbread Rum Balls. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave something special, these treats combine rum and spices to create a delightful southern-inspired dessert. They’re easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Gingerbread Rum Balls

A red plate filled with freshly baked cookies, each topped with a pecan half. The cookies are golden brown with visible chunks of pecans, and the plate has a white dotted rim. A corner of a festive fabric is partially visible on the side.
Butter Pecan Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

These Butter Pecan Cookies are a southern classic dessert, packed with buttery goodness and crunchy pecans. Perfect for any cookie lover, these treats bring a taste of the South to your table. Bake a batch for a delightful, homemade snack that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes

Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

A golden-brown apple cake with a slice cut out, showing its moist texture and topped with caramelized apple pieces. The slice is placed on a white plate with a fork on a yellow napkin beside. Fresh apples and pears are arranged as decoration around the cake.
Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Indulge in the rich flavors of the South with this Butternut Squash Cake, topped with a tangy buttermilk glaze. This cake is moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion, offering a unique twist on traditional southern desserts. Serve it up and enjoy the compliments.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

Country Apple Pie Recipe

A golden-brown homemade pie topped with a flaky crust adorned with decorative leaf-shaped pastry cutouts. The crust is sprinkled with sugar, and diagonal slits reveal a glimpse of the filling inside. The pie is in a glass dish, ready for serving.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Nothing says southern comfort like a homemade Country Apple Pie. This classic dessert features a flaky crust filled with sweet, spiced apples. It’s perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in, bringing a touch of southern charm to your table.
Get the Recipe: Country Apple Pie Recipe

Apple Strawberry Crisp with Oatmeal Crumble

A rectangular baking dish filled with a golden brown pie topped with crumbly streusel and heart-shaped pieces of crust. Next to the dish is a small red bowl and a golden spoon on a white marble surface. The background features a red patterned cloth.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This Apple Strawberry Crisp features a delightful combination of tart apples and sweet strawberries, topped with a crunchy oatmeal crumble. It’s a perfect southern-inspired dessert that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat.
Get the Recipe: Apple Strawberry Crisp with Oatmeal Crumble

Real Simple Apricot Walnut Rugelach

A white rectangular plate is filled with pinwheel-shaped pastries resting on a red cloth adorned with white holiday patterns. In the background, there is a wooden cutting board with some walnuts. The pastries appear golden-brown with a visible filling.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These Apricot Walnut Rugelach are a buttery, flaky treat filled with sweet apricot and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for any occasion, these pastries bring a taste of southern-inspired dessert sweetness to your table. Share them with friends and family for a delightful treat.
Get the Recipe: Real Simple Apricot Walnut Rugelach

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

A close-up view of assorted biscotti on a red decorative plate. The biscotti are drizzled with white and milk chocolate and sprinkled with crushed nuts and dried fruits, creating a tempting display of different flavors and textures.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Add a touch of southern-inspired flavor to your holiday dessert with these Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti. Crunchy and filled with festive colors, these biscotti are perfect for dunking in coffee or hot chocolate. Enjoy them as a snack or a special gift!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

Lisa’s Apple Torte – Bavarian Apple Torte

A close-up of a partially sliced apple almond cake on a white plate. The cake features a golden-brown crust, layers of sliced apples, and a topping of slivered almonds. A blurred background shows a slice of the cake on a separate plate and two glasses.
Image Credit: Noshing with The Nolands

Lisa’s Apple Torte – Bavarian Apple Torte is a delightful apple dessert that features a shortbread base, a rich and creamy cheesecake layer, and is finished with a topping of cinnamon-spiced apples and almonds. Easy-chic!

GET THE RECIPE: Lisa’s Apple Torte – Bavarian Apple Torte

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

A banana trifle in a glass bowl.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle is a southern classic, perfect for parties and family gatherings. Layers of creamy pudding, bananas, and crunchy Nilla wafers come together in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is easy to make. Serve it chilled and enjoy every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

Gluten-free Banana Cake Recipe with Maple Walnut Frosting

A slice of banana cake topped with thick frosting and walnut halves on a white plate. A fork is placed beside the cake. The background features a wooden ring and a white surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This Gluten-free Banana Cake with Maple Walnut Frosting is a delicious southern-inspired treat, perfect for anyone avoiding gluten. The moist banana cake pairs perfectly with the rich maple walnut frosting, creating a dessert that’s sure to impress. Enjoy a slice and savor the flavors of the South.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-free Banana Cake Recipe with Maple Walnut Frosting

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake with Bourbon Glaze

A moist bundt cake topped with a thick glaze of white icing, dripping down the sides. The cake is garnished with a peach and an apple slice on top. A silver knife is placed beside the cake, on a white plate. The background features out-of-focus kitchen items.
Photo credit: Live to Sweet

This Peach Cobbler Pound Cake with Bourbon Glaze combines two southern favorites into one delicious dessert. The moist pound cake is filled with juicy peaches and topped with a rich bourbon glaze, making it perfect for any occasion. Serve it up and watch it disappear.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake with Bourbon Glaze

Bourbon Pecan Pie

A round pecan pie with a golden-brown crust sits on a white ceramic plate with beaded edging. The pie is filled with a rich, nutty, and textured pecan topping, with the edge of the crust delicately crimped. The background features a light, blurred surface.
Photo credit: Champagne Tastes

Indulge in the rich flavors of the South with this Bourbon Pecan Pie. The combination of crunchy pecans and smooth bourbon filling makes this dessert a standout at any gathering. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Crisp

Scrumptious Pumpkin Crisp photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Goodbye Pumpkin Pie and hello Pumpkin Crisp! This delicious fall dessert is a great way to refresh your Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Crisp

Crock Pot Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding

A close-up of a bowl filled with a rich, gooey chocolate dessert topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream. A spoon is seen scooping some of the chocolate mixture, blending the melted ice cream with the decadent dessert.
Photo credit: I Heart Eating

Treat yourself to a chocolate lover’s dream with this Crock Pot Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding. It’s packed with rich chocolate flavors from chocolate chips, cocoa, and chocolate bread, making it an irresistible dessert. Its indulgent taste and slow cooker convenience make it a favorite among Southern slow cooker desserts.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake Recipe

Yummy Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake Recipe picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This old-fashioned oatmeal cake recipe is topped with delicious coconut and pecan frosting. Easy to make, this lightly spiced cake can be eaten hot or cold.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake Recipe

Sweet Potato Pie

A close-up of a pumpkin pie with two slices cut out. The pie has a flaky crust and is topped with whipped cream and chopped nuts around the edge. The slices show the smooth, orange filling inside.
Photo credit: I Heart Eating

This Sweet Potato Pie is a southern classic, featuring a creamy sweet potato filling and a perfectly spiced crust. Ideal for any holiday or family gathering, this pie brings the warmth and comfort of southern-inspired desserts to your table. Serve it with whipped cream for a special touch.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Caramel Apple Pie Bread Pudding

A delightful Caramel Apple Pie Bread Pudding
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Apple Pie Bread Pudding recipe is the perfect holiday dessert! We love bread pudding around here, so we added this Caramel Apple Bread Pudding to our recipe collection. It’s good for dessert, or even for Christmas morning breakfast!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Pie Bread Pudding

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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