17 Southern Desserts So Classic They Never Go Out of Style
Mar 14, 2025
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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.
Table of Contents
- Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
- Benne Seed Brittle, the Peanut Brittle of The South
- Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!
- Butter Pecan Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes
- Pork Rind and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes
- Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls
- The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Peach Cobbler
- Sweet Potato Bundt Cake
- Chocolate Chip Bourbon Pecan Brown Butter Blondies
- Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
- Lemon Chess Pie
- Red Velvet Cake Pops
- Easy Pecan Pie Recipe
- Paleo Apple Cobbler (Gluten Free & Vegan)
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Southern Peach Pie
- Blackberry Cobbler
Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
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
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!
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
Butter Pecan Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes
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
Pork Rind and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic Southern Cookie Recipes
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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