17 Southern Desserts So Classic They Never Go Out of Style

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Southern desserts have a way of sticking around, and for good reason. These recipes aren’t just sweet treats—they’re family traditions passed down through generations with love and plenty of butter. They bring people together at Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, and front porch chats that last until the fireflies come out. Certain flavors and textures always feel like home, regardless of how food trends change. If you’re craving something tried and true, it doesn’t get better than classic Southern desserts.

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

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The image features a cheesecake with a thick graham cracker crust, topped with chopped pecans and a glossy caramel sauce. The dessert is partially sliced, showing its creamy interior.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake isn’t just dessert—it’s a full-on flavor show. With a tangy cream cheese center, a layer of caramel-soaked apples, and a praline pecan topping that steals the spotlight, this one brings it all.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Benne Seed Brittle, the Peanut Brittle of The South

Glass jars filled with pieces of benne seed brittle on a white surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Benne Seed Brittle brings a nutty crunch that’s been a Southern desserts staple for generations. These sesame-like seeds were first introduced by West African cooks, and now they’re cooked down with sugar and butter into a crisp, caramelized treat. Whether you snack on it straight or crumble it over ice cream, it delivers the perfect mix of sweet and toasty.
Get the Recipe: Benne Seed Brittle, the Peanut Brittle of The South

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!

A bundt cake with rich white icing drizzled on top, placed on a wooden surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a timeless, old-school recipe that bakes up into a rich, moist cake perfect for holidays, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving something classic and indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake

a red plate, piled with Butter Pecan Cookies
Butter Pecan Cookies. Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Butter Pecan Cookies bring that rich, nutty flavor Southerners love in every buttery bite. The pecans get toasted to perfection before being folded into the dough, giving these cookies their signature crunch. Whether you’re baking them for the holidays or just because, they disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes

A pile of crumbly cookies with pieces of walnuts on burlap, next to a wooden dish containing coarse salt flakes.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Pork Rind and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies might sound unexpected, but Southern desserts are all about bold flavors. The crispy pork rinds add the perfect salty crunch to balance the peanut butter and chocolate. It’s a sweet-and-savory combo that proves Southerners know how to get creative in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Pork Rind and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

A small round dessert ball covered in chopped nuts sits in a white pleated paper cup with red polka dots on a vibrant red surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls pack a bold punch with their rich chocolate, toasted pecans, and a splash of Kentucky bourbon. If Southern desserts had a “life of the party” award, these boozy bites would take the crown. They’re a must-have for holiday gatherings—or whenever you need a little chocolate with your bourbon.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Peach Cobbler

A white dish contains a peach cobbler topped with three scoops of vanilla ice cream, surrounded by fresh peaches and white flowers.
Photo credit: The All Natural Vegan

Gluten-Free Vegan Peach Cobbler proves that Southern desserts don’t need butter or flour to be downright delicious. Juicy peaches bubble under a golden, crisp topping, giving you all the comforting flavors of summer in every spoonful. Whether you use fresh, frozen, or canned peaches, it’s a hit every time.
Get the Recipe: The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Peach Cobbler

Sweet Potato Bundt Cake

A Bundt cake with white icing and orange pieces sits on a decorative plate. In the background, there is a flower, and everything is placed on a light surface.
Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl

Sweet Potato Bundt Cake turns a humble root vegetable into a show-stopping dessert. Sweet potatoes add natural moisture, making each slice soft and rich, while warm spices bring out that signature Southern charm. Top it with a thick glaze, and you’ve got a cake that’s just as pretty as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Bundt Cake

Chocolate Chip Bourbon Pecan Brown Butter Blondies

Pecan caramel blondies and a jar of caramel sauce with a spoon.
Photo credit: The Perks of Being Us

Chocolate Chip Bourbon Pecan Brown Butter Blondies are loaded with everything great about Southern desserts—rich brown butter, crunchy pecans, and a splash of bourbon. The chocolate chips melt right into the chewy blondie base, making every bite dangerously good. Bake a batch, and don’t expect leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Bourbon Pecan Brown Butter Blondies

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

The image features a Bundt cake with a slice removed, topped with crumbly streusel. There's a whole peach placed on a plate in the background. The cake rests on a wire cooling rack.
Photo credit: Chenée Today

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake combines two of the South’s favorite desserts into one buttery, fruity masterpiece. Juicy peaches swirl through the rich cake, while a golden crumble on top adds a little crunch. It’s the perfect way to bring a taste of summer to the table, no matter the season.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Lemon Chess Pie

In the image, there is a lemon pie dusted with powdered sugar, partially sliced to reveal its flaky crust and bright yellow filling.
Photo credit: Well Fed Baker

Lemon Chess Pie keeps things simple but packs a citrusy punch in every bite. With a smooth, custardy filling and just the right balance of tart and sweet, this pie has been a Southern staple for generations. A dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream is all it needs.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chess Pie

Red Velvet Cake Pops

A white rectangular plate holds red velvet cake balls coated in white, each topped with red crumbs. A spoon with additional crumbs lies beside them on a white wooden surface.
Photo credit: In the Kitch

Red Velvet Cake Pops turn a classic Southern dessert into a fun, bite-sized treat. The rich, cocoa-kissed cake gets mixed with creamy frosting, then dipped in a smooth chocolate shell for the perfect handheld indulgence. Whether for parties or late-night cravings, these pops never last long.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake Pops

Easy Pecan Pie Recipe

A pecan pie with a golden crust is on a wire rack.
Photo credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Pecan Pie is one of those Southern desserts that never goes out of style. The gooey, nutty filling, baked to perfection inside a crisp crust, makes it a holiday table favorite. With just the right balance of sweet and buttery, it’s impossible to say no to a second slice.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pecan Pie Recipe

Paleo Apple Cobbler (Gluten Free & Vegan)

A bowl containing apple crisp is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A spoon rests nearby on the white surface.
Photo credit: Organically Addison

Paleo Apple Cobbler keeps all the comfort of a classic Southern dessert while skipping the flour and dairy. Warm cinnamon-spiced apples bubble under a golden, crisp topping that’s naturally sweetened and completely satisfying. It’s proof that Southern flavors can shine in any kind of recipe.
Get the Recipe: Paleo Apple Cobbler (Gluten Free & Vegan)

Sweet Potato Pie

A pumpkin pie with two partially removed slices, garnished with whipped cream and chopped nuts.
Photo credit: I Heart Eating

Sweet Potato Pie is a must-have for any proper Southern desserts spread. Smooth, spiced filling made from roasted sweet potatoes gives this pie a rich, cozy flavor that beats pumpkin pie every time. A dollop of whipped cream on top is all it needs.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Southern Peach Pie

A lattice-topped pie, a pie server, a white plate with forks, and a small bouquet of flowers on a marble surface.
Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl

Southern Peach Pie keeps things classic with a golden, flaky crust and syrupy, sun-ripened peaches inside. The juices bubble over as it bakes, filling the kitchen with the best kind of summer scent. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got a dessert worth waiting for.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Pie

Blackberry Cobbler

A dish containing berry crumble topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and accompanied by a spoon.
Photo credit: The Forked Spoon

Blackberry Cobbler is what happens when juicy, sun-ripened berries meet a golden, buttery crust. Whether you spoon it straight from the dish or top it with a scoop of ice cream, it’s one of those Southern desserts that never disappoints. Simple ingredients, big flavor—just the way it should be.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry 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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