10 Cozy Apple Desserts That Make the Whole House Smell Like Fall

There is a moment every fall when the first apple pie comes out of the oven and the whole house smells like cinnamon and butter. Nothing else feels quite like it. Apple desserts are cheap, easy and loved by almost everyone, from kids to grandparents. Grab a bag of apples, because you will want to bake every one of these..

Apple Desserts Begin With a Rustic Apple Galette

The best apple desserts are a little rustic and full of heart. This galette needs no pie dish and no perfect crimping. Roll the dough, fan cinnamon apple slices in circles, fold the edges and bake. The crust turns flaky and golden while the apples go soft and sweet. Add a spoon of whipped cream on the side. Which apple do you bake with most: A) Granny Smith, B) Honeycrisp, C) Gala, or D) whatever is in the fruit bowl?

You will need: 1 pie crust, 4 apples, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp flour, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 egg, 1 tbsp butter

How to make it: Heat the oven to 400F. Slice the apples thin and toss with sugar, cinnamon, flour and lemon. Roll the crust on a lined sheet. Fan the apples in circles in the middle, leaving a 2 inch border. Fold the edges up. Dot with butter and brush the crust with egg. Bake 40 minutes until golden. Serve with whipped cream.

Classic Lattice Apple Pie

This is the one everyone remembers. A buttery double crust, a thick cinnamon apple filling and that pretty lattice top that lets the juices bubble through. It takes a little time, but it is worth every minute. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and watch the room go quiet. Who taught you how to make apple pie?

You will need: 2 pie crusts, 7 apples, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tbsp flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp butter, 1 egg

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425F. Slice the apples and toss with sugar, flour, spices and lemon. Fit one crust in a pie dish. Add the filling and dot with butter. Weave strips of the second crust on top. Brush with egg. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until bubbly.

Apple Crisp, the Easiest of All Apple Desserts

If pie feels like too much work, apple crisp is your best friend. No crust, no rolling, just sliced apples under a crunchy oat and brown sugar topping. It goes from bowl to oven in 15 minutes. The edges get sticky and caramelized, and that is the best part. Quick poll: A) ice cream or B) whipped cream on top?

You will need: 6 apples, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 cup oats, 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cold butter, pinch of salt

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F. Slice apples and toss with sugar, cinnamon and lemon. Spread in a baking dish. Rub the oats, flour, brown sugar, butter and salt together until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apples. Bake 45 minutes until golden.

Simple Apple Cake With Apples on Top

This is the cake you make on a Sunday afternoon with a cup of coffee. The batter is soft and buttery, and apple slices sink into the top as it bakes. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar gives it a crackly finish. It stays moist for days on the counter, if it lasts that long.

You will need: 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 cup milk, 2 apples, 1 tbsp cinnamon sugar

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350F. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour and baking powder, then milk. Spread in a lined loaf or round pan. Press apple slices on top. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar. Bake 45 minutes.

Stuffed Baked Apples, Cozy Apple Desserts in One Dish

Baked apples are the easiest of all apple desserts, and they feel so cozy. Scoop out the core, fill with oats, raisins, butter and brown sugar, and bake until the apples are soft enough to cut with a spoon. They make your kitchen smell amazing. Serve them with a drizzle of the syrup from the pan.

You will need: 4 large apples, 1/4 cup oats, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp raisins or cranberries, 2 tbsp chopped walnuts, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup water

How to make it: Heat the oven to 375F. Core the apples, leaving the bottoms whole. Mix oats, sugar, raisins, nuts, cinnamon and butter. Stuff into each apple. Set in a dish with the water. Bake 40 minutes until tender.

Homemade Caramel Apples

Remember getting a caramel apple at the county fair? You can make them at home with just four ingredients. Dip crisp apples into smooth homemade caramel, then roll them in nuts, sprinkles or mini chocolate chips. Kids go wild for these. Which topping would you choose: A) peanuts, B) sprinkles, C) chocolate, or D) plain caramel?

You will need: 6 apples, 6 sticks, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup corn syrup, toppings

How to make it: Wash and dry apples well, then push in the sticks. Melt butter, sugar, condensed milk and corn syrup, stirring, until it reaches 235F. Cool 5 minutes. Dip each apple, let the extra drip off, then roll in toppings. Set on parchment to firm up.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Soft cinnamon rolls get even better with little pieces of sweet apple tucked inside. The apples cook down into the swirl and make every bite juicy. Top them with a simple glaze while they are warm. They are perfect for a holiday morning or any weekend when you want the house to smell incredible.

You will need: 1 lb pizza or roll dough, 2 apples diced, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 4 tbsp soft butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk

How to make it: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread with butter, then sprinkle sugar, cinnamon and apples. Roll up tight and cut into 9 pieces. Place in a greased pan and let rise 30 minutes. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Whisk sugar and milk and drizzle over.

Golden Apple Fritters

Apple fritters are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and full of chunks of cinnamon apple. You do not need to be a pro to make them at home. Just drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry until golden. A quick glaze on top makes them taste like the donut shop. Have you ever had one still warm?

You will need: 2 apples diced, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 eggs, 2/3 cup milk, oil for frying, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk

How to make it: Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Whisk in eggs and milk, then fold in apples. Heat oil to 350F. Drop large spoonfuls in and fry 2 minutes per side. Drain. Whisk powdered sugar and milk and dip each fritter.

Apple Streusel Muffins

These muffins have big bakery tops and a crunchy cinnamon streusel. Chunks of apple keep them soft and moist inside. Bake a batch on Sunday and you have grab and go breakfasts all week. They freeze well too, so make a double batch and thank yourself later.

You will need: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup oil, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 2 apples diced, streusel: 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp butter

How to make it: Heat the oven to 375F. Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk oil, eggs and milk and stir in. Fold in apples. Fill 12 muffin cups. Rub streusel ingredients together and sprinkle on top. Bake 22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Apple cider donuts taste like a day at the orchard. Reducing the cider first gives them that deep apple flavor. These are baked, not fried, so they are easy to make at home. While still warm, dip them in butter and roll in cinnamon sugar. Quick poll: A) cider donuts or B) apple pie, which wins?

You will need: 1 cup apple cider, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup milk, cinnamon sugar for coating

How to make it: Simmer the cider until it reduces to 1/2 cup. Cool. Heat the oven to 350F. Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk cider, eggs, butter and milk and stir in. Pipe into a greased donut pan. Bake 12 minutes. Brush with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.