15 Best Southern Dessert Recipes

Is there anything more decadent than an old-school Southern dessert? From Coca-Cola cake to banana pudding to pecan pie, there’s no shortage of delicious treats in the Southern part of the United States.

Whether you’re craving a visit to the South or you just want some new recipes for your repertoire, we have you covered. These Southern dessert recipes are sure to please every palate.

And for more, don’t miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.

Head to a hole-in-the-wall barbecue restaurant in the South, and you’ll likely find banana pudding on the menu. It’s the perfect ending to a Southern meal.

Get our recipe for Banana Pudding. 

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Cake that’s made with Coke? Yep, it’s a Southern thing! And don’t knock it until you try it.

Get our recipe for Coca-Cola Cake. 

Looking for a dessert that’s as sweet as a Georgia peach? You can’t go wrong with our cobbler recipe, which adds blueberries for extra flavor.

Get our recipe for a Blueberry Peach Cobbler. 

Strawberry shortcake is delicious on its own, but if you want to kick things up, throw this dessert on the grill. Perfection.

Get our recipe for Grilled Strawberry Shortcake. 

Florida is a Southern state, and there’s no more quintessential Floridian treat than key lime pie. It’s a summertime sweet you won’t be able to resist.

Get our recipe for Key Lime Pie. 

RELATED: Easy, healthy, 350-calorie recipe ideas you can make at home.

Not into key lime pie? Try this coconut cream pie recipe instead.

Get our recipe for Healthier Coconut Cream Pie. 

We can’t mention Southern pies without the classic apple, a staple at any Southern cookout. Our recipe uses a crumb-based topping, rather than a double crust.

Get our recipe for Apple Pie. 

Another pie recipe? What can we say—the South knows how much you can do with a pie crust and some creative filling ideas. Sweet potatoes are North Carolina’s state vegetable, but you’ll find this delicacy all over the U.S. South.

Get the recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking. 

As legend has it, red velvet cake originated in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. But you’ll also find it in plenty of Southern bakeries; it pairs especially well with the classic Southern soda, Cheerwine.

Get the recipe from My Name Is Yeh. 

Not into red velvet? Give hummingbird cake a try! This delectable treat features bananas and pineapple for a dessert that’s unlike anything you’ve had before.

Get the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. 

Between all of these pies and cake recipes, the South certainly knows how to create a dessert spread. Lane cake, which originated in Alabama, features white cake layered with raisins and a bourbon filling, finished off with white frosting. If you don’t mind raisins in your dessert, this is one decadent treat.

Get the recipe from Tori Avey. 

We can’t have a list of Southern desserts without this New Orleans treat!

Get the recipe from One Dish Kitchen. 

And, we’re back with more pies! Pecan pie is a staple on Southern Thanksgiving tables, though it’s just as delicious year-round.

Get the recipe from The Healthy Foodie. 

S’mores lovers will love this gooey, chocolatey treat. With plenty of chocolate and whipped cream to go around, this Southern dessert is perfect for anyone with a serious sweet tooth.

Get the recipe from Diethood. 

Forget crème brûlée. In the South, it’s all about custard pie, made with eggs, vanilla, and cream for an unforgettably rich treat.

Get the recipe from Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking.