18 Southern Desserts that Bring Classic Flavor to Your Kitchen

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From the sweet and nutty Old Fashioned Pecan Pie to the rich and indulgent Rum Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake, these southern desserts are sure to hit the spot. You can enjoy a slice of the comforting Peach Cobbler Pound Cake or whip up a batch of Easy Pecan Pralines for a classic sweet treat. Whether you’re celebrating with a Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping or keeping it simple with Grandma’s Southern Banana Pudding, these recipes deliver big flavors with minimal fuss.

Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

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A slice of pecan pie on a white plate with a fork beside it. The pie features a golden crust, rich filling, and is topped with toasted pecans. Another slice is partially visible in the background.
Image Credit: Gift of Hospitality

Toasted pecans and a flaky, buttery crust make Old Fashioned Pecan Pie a go-to dessert in the South. Rich and satisfying, it’s a must-have at any Southern celebration.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

Lemon Pound Cake

A sliced lemon pound cake with icing and lemon zest.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Pucker up for perfection! This lemon pound cake explodes with citrusy goodness. Tangy lemon juice and fragrant zest infuse the buttery, moist cake, while a bright lemon glaze adds the finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake

Rum Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake

A close-up of a bundt cake topped with shredded coconut and chopped nuts. The cake has a rich brown color and a textured surface, sitting on a decorative plate against a soft, blurred background.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Rum Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake combines pecans and coconut with a hint of rum for a moist and flavorful dessert. It’s an easy, semi-homemade treat perfect for adding to your Southern dessert lineup.
Get the Recipe: Rum Soaked Southern Coconut Pecan Cake

Raspberry Swirled Orange Pound Cake

Raspberry Swirled Orange Pound Cake
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

A burst of color and flavor! This Raspberry Swirled Orange Pound Cake features vibrant raspberry swirls nestled within a citrusy cake, finished with a glossy orange glaze.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Swirled Orange Pound Cake

Maple Pecan Pie with Bourbon and Chocolate Chunks

A pecan pie with a slice removed sits on a white marble surface. The removed slice is placed on a nearby plate with a fork, showing the pie’s nutty and crumbly filling. Pecans and a green-and-white striped cloth are also visible in the scene.
Image Credit: Sense & Edibility

Rich bourbon and dark chocolate balance out the sweetness in Maple Pecan Pie with Bourbon and Chocolate Chunks. It’s a unique twist on pecan pie, making it a standout among Southern sweets.
Get the Recipe: Maple Pecan Pie with Bourbon and Chocolate Chunks

Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake

Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake
Photo credit: Bake With Jamie

This chocolate sour cream pound cake delivers rich slices of cake drenched in a melted chocolate ganache. Olive oil and sour cream combine to make the richest, moist cake ever.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

A Bundt cake topped with cream glaze and decorated with peach slices sits on an oval white plate. The background includes a white cloth, a glass of milk, and a small plate with a fork.
Image Credit: My Kitchen Serenity

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake pairs the rich density of pound cake with the fruity flavor of peach cobbler. This cake is a true Southern favorite, offering the best of both desserts in one bite.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Vegan Pound Cake

Vegan Pound Cake
Photo credit: Namely Marly

Make this moist Vegan Pound Cake and serve it with your favorite fresh fruit and whipped cream. Or try a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a tasty dessert you’ll return to time and time again.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pound Cake

Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping

A caramel pecan cheesecake with a slice removed sits on a wooden cake stand. The cheesecake features a golden crust and is drizzled with caramel and topped with pecan pieces. A gold cake server and a bowl of pecans are nearby on a wooden surface.
Image Credit: Sense & Edibility

With its warm spices and creamy texture, Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping brings sweet potatoes to the dessert table in a whole new way. The praline topping adds the perfect crunch to this Southern dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping

Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Brown Sugar Icing (Easy Pound Cake Recipe)

Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Brown Sugar Icing (Easy Pound Cake Recipe) at its finest
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Brown Sugar Icing (let’s be honest, it’s mostly caramel) is utterly delicious and just perfect for Fall. This makes a wonderful and delicious homemade gift for Christmas. The pecans add a little extra crunch to this sweet and amazing Easy Pound Cake Recipe.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Brown Sugar Icing (Easy Pound Cake Recipe)

Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake Recipe

A close-up of a slice of layered cake with cream cheese frosting. The cake layers are filled with pecans and appear moist and dense. The top layer is decorated with whole pecans, and the background includes a green napkin and a fork.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

With bananas, pineapple, and cream cheese frosting, Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake Recipe is as Southern as it gets. This moist, fruity cake has been a crowd-pleaser for generations.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Best Pound Cake Recipe, with Gingered Brown Butter Peaches

Best Pound Cake Recipe, with Gingered Brown Butter Peaches
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

The Best Pound Cake Recipe I’ve ever tried! This all-butter loaf is moist as can be, full of rich flavor, and crowned with crackly, crumbly crust. You’ll love it topped with juicy Gingered Brown Butter Peaches!
Get the Recipe: Best Pound Cake Recipe, with Gingered Brown Butter Peaches

Easy Homemade Peach Cobbler

A slice of peach cobbler topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream sits on a white plate. A fork rests beside it. In the background, a baking dish filled with more cobbler and a partially sliced peach on a wooden board are visible.
Image Credit: Sense & Edibility

Easy Homemade Peach Cobbler combines fresh peaches with a brown sugar bourbon mix, baked beneath a golden crust. This timeless dessert captures the essence of Southern sweetness with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Peach Cobbler

Orange Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Sugared Cranberries

Orange Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Sugared Cranberries
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

Want something a little different and really beautiful for your holiday table? Look no further than this lovely cream cheese pound cake! It’s infused with sunny orange and subtly spiced with ginger and clove for a flavor that’s unmistakably “holiday.” Fill the cavity of the Bundt with sweet and seasonal sugared cranberries for a presentation that will make your guests ooh and ahh!
Get the Recipe: Orange Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Sugared Cranberries

Easy Pecan Pralines

A stack of pecan pralines on a white plate. The pralines are golden brown and glossy, showing chunks of pecans. A red and white cloth is blurred in the background.
Image Credit: The Soccer Mom Blog

With just a few simple ingredients, Easy Pecan Pralines delivers that irresistible combination of buttery pecans and rich caramel. These classic Southern treats melt in your mouth and are ready in under an hour.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pecan Pralines

Mini Brown Sugar Pound Cakes

Mini Brown Sugar Pound Cakes
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

These mini brown sugar pound cakes are moist, velvety-soft, and they make a great homemade gift. Top with a sweet icing and festive decorations!
Get the Recipe: Mini Brown Sugar Pound Cakes

Grandma’s Southern Banana Pudding Recipe

A bowl of banana pudding topped with banana slices and crumbled cookies. A spoon rests in the pudding. A whole banana is in the background on a white surface.
Image Credit: Rose Bakes

Grandma’s Southern Banana Pudding Recipe layers fresh bananas with vanilla wafers and a rich, homemade pudding. It’s a comforting dessert that embodies classic Southern flavors, perfect for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Southern Banana Pudding Recipe

Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

This buttery peach cobbler hits! You can use fresh or canned peaches, which makes this easy peach cobbler recipe a crowd and wallet-pleaser!
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler

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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