Decadent Southern Desserts

Southern Desserts are known for their warm and cozy flavors from spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, giving us delectable desserts at their finest. So let me entice you with pies, cakes, and pastries filled with Southern flavors that will surely give you joyous bliss all year round. ❤️

A delicious collection of Southern Desserts

If only I could eat desserts all day without making me fat and spiking my blood sugar level, it would be a dream come true! But here we are, still wishing. 🤣

Dessert will always have a special place in my heart; yours too? They bring instant happiness, and when you’re happy, it radiates! So, let’s spread the joy and good vibes with my easy Southern dessert recipes. They are absolutely fuss-free and affordable yet satisfyingly delicious. Besides, nothing beats homemade desserts made with love. 😉

Contents…

FAQs
Southern Cakes for Dessert

1. Red Velvet Cheesecake
2. King Cake
3. Spice Cake 
4. Hummingbird Cake
5. Texas Sheet Cake
6. Strawberry Pound Cake
7. Mississippi Mud Cake

Southern Pies and Casseroles

8. Bourbon Pecan Pie
9. Pumpkin Pie
10. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
11. Cheese Pie
12. Buttermilk Pie

Southern Pastries

13. Peach Cobbler
14. Beignets
15. Pecan Pie Bars

Conclusion

FAQs

What Southern desserts work for a crowd?

That would depend on how big the crowd is. Peach cobbler is always a winner, but doubling the Texas sheet cake recipe is a perfect choice if you have a huge crowd.

What is the top Southern dessert?

Well, it’s hard to tell because every Southern state has its specialty. For example, Tennessee is known for its banana pudding, Texas is famous for its pecan pie, and Kentucky has the popular Derby Pie. But we can’t leave out lemon bars, chocolate mayonnaise cake, or sweet potato pie. I can hardly stand it!

Southern Cakes for Dessert

1. Red Velvet Cheesecake

Red velvet cheesecake on a white cake platter with slices already served

Not only is this beauty brimming with elegance, but it’s also exceptionally delicious from top to bottom. Aah! Just sliding my fork through its lovely layers of red velvet cake and cheesecake makes me giddy with excitement! And, of course, the taste truly impresses, too! 😍

Red Velvet Cheesecake
Feast your eyes on this lovely elegant triple-layer cake fit for a queen. Enjoy its smooth and velvety thick cheesecake filling sandwiched between soft and moist red velvet cake. And it's also covered with a glorious cream cheese frosting to wrap all the goodness inside. Indeed, the perfect celebration cake for all occasions.
Check out this recipe
Top view of a red velvet cheesecake

2. King Cake

King cake sliced with Mardi Gras colors

This Southern dessert truly lives up to its name because it’s a dessert fit for royalties. It’s not your ordinary cake because it’s made with yeast. That explains why it’s so light and soft, like a cinnamon roll with tons of colors and textures in cake form. Oh yes!

King Cake
King Cake is a famous New Orleans ring-shaped cake made with yeast dough and topped with purple, green, and gold-colored sugar. Think of cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, and French pastry all rolled into one incredible dessert for Mardi Gras. For this version, I added pecans to the cinnamon filling. And even better, this deliciously colorful cake is super easy to make at home!
Check out this recipe
King Cake sliced on a platter

3. Spice Cake

Spice cake sliced for a great Southern dessert

Fill your kitchen air with lovely aromas from nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice as you bake this moist, decadent spice cake. But that’s not all because it comes with a luscious cream cheese frosting, wrapping the whole cake like a Christmas present. Indeed, one of the best Southern dessert recipes to try! 😉

Spice Cake
This incredibly moist, dense, and well-flavored two-layered Spice Cake is brimming with cozy fall flavors and frosted with sweet and tangy decadent cream cheese frosting. There's a warm, comforting hug in every bite with its delectable homemade goodness. Indeed, the perfect cake to enjoy during fall's chilly weather.
Check out this recipe
Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

4. Hummingbird Cake

No one knows why this cake is named after a bird, but what matters most is its deliciousness, especially with its unbeatable ensemble of bananas and pineapple flavor. Its generous coating of cream cheese frosting also makes it a heavenly dessert perfect for a classic Southern dessert!

Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird Cake – a super easy, indulgent and stick-to-your-fork moist cake featuring the tropical combination of bananas and crushed pineapples with toasted pecans; generously layered, covered with cream cheese frosting. A classic Southern cake gem!
Check out this recipe
Hummingbird cake on a fancy cake stand

5. Texas Sheet Cake

Texas sheet cake for a perfect Southern dessert

You can’t go wrong with this baby because it’s always a crowd favorite. So why don’t you bake this easy Southern dessert and bring it to your next gathering? I’m so sure your family will love its glorious butter cocoa frosting and the fudgy and indulgent cake underneath. 👌

Texas Sheet Cake
A marvelous buttery, chocolatey, rich Texas Sheet Cake coated with a butter-cocoa frosting and topped with pecans. SUPER easy, decadent, and irresistible. You won't want to miss it!
Check out this recipe
Texas sheet cake topped with pecans

6. Strawberry Pound Cake

Strawberry pound cake with a slice removed

This variation of the classic Southern pound cake is a favorite because it’s chock full of fresh strawberries from top to bottom, inside and out. Oh, and the sweet and fruity strawberry glaze is to die for! You should also try my Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake and Peach Cobbler Pound Cake. ❤️

Strawberry Pound Cake
Refreshing summer flavors are accented in a dense, rich, and moist Strawberry Pound Cake. This quick and easy dessert is sure to be a winner at any family dinner, and the sweet glaze creates the perfect finish that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Check out this recipe
Strawberry Pound Cake

7. Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi mud cake cut and a piece served -  a classic Southern dessert

Yet another decadent chocolate sheet cake to grace your table this weekend. Only it’s better with gooey melted marshmallows on top covered with chocolate frosting. Aah! This super fudgy and chocolatey Southern dessert will surely satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings. 🤤

Mississippi Mud Cake
Made from scratch, this Mississippi mud cake is a rich, dense, decadent chocolate cake covered in gooey marshmallows and warm chocolate frosting. This classic cake recipe never disappoints! 
Check out this recipe
Serving up slices of Mississippi Mud Cake

Southern Pies and Casseroles

8. Bourbon Pecan Pie

A whole pecan pie with fall decoration in the background

This Southern dessert recipe list wouldn’t be complete without the classic pecan pie. And I swear, this version won’t disappoint. Don’t skip the bourbon because it adds the iconic Southern flavor and makes our pie richer and tastier. Oh, you should also try Pecan Pie Cheesecake. 😉

Bourbon Pecan Pie
What's better than a delicious Southern classic pecan pie? Adding a shot of bourbon for a Bourbon Pecan Pie! The buttery sweet pecan praline flavor ramped up with the South's favorite alcohol will take you to heaven and back.
Check out this recipe
Bourbon Pecan Pie on Table

9. Pumpkin Pie

A whole pumpkin pie with decorative pumpkins in the background

My aunt’s pumpkin pie fueled my love for pie, so this recipe always brings me nostalgic, happy childhood memories. The warm and cozy flavors from the pumpkin pie spices are like a big hug, bringing you soul-satisfying goodness with every bite. It tastes just like home! 😍

Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie is a rich and creamy dessert that celebrates fall in style. It's made even more delicious with a homemade pie crust and topped with whipped cream. No fall or winter holiday is complete without this traditional food for the soul.
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Pie with a slice gone

10. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Let the inner child in you enjoy this sweet potato casserole with lots of toasted marshmallows on top. It’s light and creamy but heavy on the flavors, and such a classic dessert doubles as a side dish. You can also enjoy it with chopped pecans in this traditional sweet potato casserole recipe. 😉

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is such a festive sight and equally delicious, too! Exceptionally creamy with the right amount of sweetness, topped with toasted mini marshmallows for a heavenly gooey delight. The perfect comfort food that will make all your carb fantasies come true. Aaah! Pure happiness in every bite!
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

11. Cheese Pie

serving a slice of chess pie topped with pecans

Impress your guests with this light yet incredibly rich classic chess pie. One slice of its sweet custard-like filling in a flaky homemade crust won’t be enough. But don’t worry, no judgment here, because I understand completely! Especially with my chocolate chess pie here, too.

chess pie
This classic Southern pie is simple yet delicious. Pantry staples and less than an hour deliver a decadent dessert with hints of vanilla, butter, and lemon. This buttermilk chess pie recipe is super easy to whip up for special occasions!
Check out this recipe
Easy Thanksgiving desserts featuring Buttermilk Chess Pie

12. Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk pie with a slice served for an easy Southern dessert

Make sure to stock on buttermilk because you’ll make this dessert more often than you know. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s incredibly delicious, too. The pineapple chunks also add a nice tropical twist, giving it a delightful tangy flavor complementing the not overly sweet dessert.

Buttermilk Pie
This classic Southern pie recipe comes together easily and quickly with just a few pantry staple ingredients. It's light, creamy, and delightfully sweet with just a subtle tang. This pie is great for the holidays, or anytime you want to treat yourself!
Check out this recipe
Enjoying a bite of sweet and tart Buttermilk Pie topped with whipped cream and a cherry

Southern Pastries

13. Peach Cobbler

A whole peach cobbler fresh from the oven for a classic Southern dessert

Peach cobbler is an easier version of peach pie. Instead of a flaky crust bottom, this one has a crusty, buttery biscuit-like topping. What’s great about this recipe is you can also make it with canned peaches. So whatever the season is, you still get to enjoy this yummy treat all year round. 😉

Peach Cobbler
Easy Peach Cobbler is a delicious dessert made with tender juicy fresh peaches and a crusty buttery biscuit-like topping. A mouth-watering family dessert that’s made from scratch and can be enjoyed all year round!
Check out this recipe
Peach Cobbler

14. Beignets

A platter of hot Beignets dusted with powdered sugar

Make way for these bite-sized pastries because they will surely rock your world. Their soft pillowy goodness and light-as-a-feather texture will take you to heaven and back. Similar to donuts, they’re fried to perfection, and chocolate and caramel sauce are also welcome additions. 😉

Beignets (New Orleans)
These New Orleans doughnuts popular at Cafe du Monde are soft, pillowy, and light, made with love in your kitchen. Forget regular doughnuts because these are easy and satisfying.
Makes 35-40 beignets
Check out this recipe
Beignets New Orleans style dusted with powdered sugar

15. Pecan Pie Bars

Two pecan bars stacked on the rest for a better view of classic Southern desserts

Munching on pecan pie is easy with its handheld version, pecan pie bars. It has the same delectable goodness only made better because you can now take them with you, any time, anywhere. They’re perfect for outdoor gatherings and picnics. 🎉

Pecan Pie Bars
Make way for this irresistibly tasty and hassle-free treat with simple ingredients. A delicious snack you can serve as a special teatime dessert or everyday comfort food. An insanely delicious recipe you won't want to resist.
Makes 16 bars
Check out this recipe
Pecan Pie Bars

Conclusion

Dessert in all forms will surely uplift anyone’s mood, especially when shared with loved ones. So which dessert recipe is your favorite? Please comment below because I’d really love to know. 😍

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