Apple Recipes – Sugar Spun Run

Must Try


My collection of apple recipes is perfect for fall or anytime you need a cozy, spiced treat! This list includes everything from impressive, show-stopping desserts to sweet and simple breakfast treats.

collage of apple recipes

Fall’s Favorite Apple Recipes

While apples are technically available year-round here in the US, apple season is the best time to try one of my apple recipes. I am usually quite overzealous with my apple picking each year, which means I’ve had plenty of opportunities to develop recipes with this versatile fruit. Today I’m collecting them all in one place so you have a go-to guide for all of your apple baking needs!

If you decide to make just one of these apple recipes, let it be my apple pie cheesecake or apple cinnamon rolls. I love them because they take this humble fruit and turn it into something extraordinary. The cheesecake is over-the-top indulgence with a walnut-infused crust, creamy apple-flecked center, and buttery crumble topping. The rolls? They’re just as impressive with a pillowy soft dough rolled together with spiced apples and a heavenly caramel glaze.

Interested in something a bit more basic? I’ve got that too. Let’s dive into the list!

1. Apple Pie Cheesecake

My recipe combines classic cheesecake and apple pie. It’s a show-stopping dessert!

Whole apple pie cheesecake that's been cut into slices with one slice missing.
Apple Pie Cheesecake

This cheesecake starts with a walnut-infused crust that’s layered with cheesecake and a homemade pie filling. We’ll top it off with a crumble topping that ties everything together!

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2. Apple Turnovers

Love apple turnovers? Just wait til you try my homemade version. They can be made with pie crust or puff pastry!

apple turnover that's been broken in half to show the spiced apple filling
Apple Turnovers Recipe

Making apple turnovers from scratch might seem complicated, but I promise it’s easy! They take less than an hour to make and taste SO much better than store-bought. 

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3. Apple Cider Donuts

Like the donuts at your local market, only better! My version is baked to perfection and so tender.

Top-down view of nine apple cider donuts on cooling rack
Apple Cider Donuts

These apple cider donuts get their flavor from an apple cider reduction and spiced sugar coating. No yeast or frying required!

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4. Apple Pie Cookies

Just one of my many gourmet cookie recipes, these apple cookies are SO cute and tasty.

Two halves of an apple pie cookie stacked on top of each other.
Apple Pie Cookies

Featuring a homemade pie filling, crumb topping, and optional ice cream decoration. They are so much fun to make!

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5. Apple Cinnamon Rolls

These make an indulgent breakfast or dessert. Definitely one of my favorite apple recipes!

Baking dish full of caramel-glazed apple cinnamon rolls
Apple Cinnamon Rolls

These soft, plush buns are swirled with apples and spices. An easy-to-make caramel glaze takes them over the top!

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6. Apple Crisp

I can’t mention apple recipes and forget apple crisp! This is a classic apple dessert.

Bowl of apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and cinnamon.
Apple Crisp Recipe

A classic apple crisp recipe. Only 10 minutes to prep and no pastry cutter needed!

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7. Apple Bread

Apple bread is the fall version of banana bread! It’s moist, tender, and perfect for snacking or breakfast.

stacked slices of apple bread resting against the remaining loaf
The Best Apple Bread Recipe

This moist and tender apple bread is loaded with apples and topped with cinnamon sugar. Just 15 minutes to prep!

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8. Dutch Apple Pie

This pie has a perfectly set filling made with 3 pounds of apples! The buttery crumb topping is my favorite part 🩷

Slice of Dutch apple pie on a white plate.
Dutch Apple Pie

My Dutch apple pie is made with an easy homemade crust, plenty of apples, and a crumbly, buttery walnut topping. It’s my favorite!

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9. Apple Fritters

My apple fritters are easy with no yeast required. Top them with an apple cider glaze or cinnamon sugar.

apple fritter on cooling rack
Apple Fritters Recipe

Who needs a donut shop when you can easily make your own apple fritters at home? These taste incredible!

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10. Apple Butter

You can make richly flavored apple butter at home–no peeling required! This tastes amazing with English muffins, crepes, or just by the spoonful.

Rich brown apple butter recipe in a glass jar tied with twine
The Best Apple Butter Recipe (No Peeling!)

This apple butter takes just 10 minutes to prep! It’s incredibly easy to make, since the slow cooker does all the work.

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11. Apple Dumplings

One of my grandmother’s recipes, these classic apple dumplings are a family favorite!

Apple dumpling on white plate
Apple Dumplings

This recipe stuffs cinnamon sugar spiced apples inside buttery pie crust and bakes them in a sweet syrup. A classic fall dessert!

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12. Apple Muffins

Apple muffins are one of my more easy apple recipes. They come together quickly without a mixer!

close-up shot of an apple muffin topped with streusel
Apple Muffins

Tender apple muffins make a tasty breakfast or snack! My simple recipe is packed with apple pieces and piled high with a buttery streusel topping.

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13. Baked Apples

Baked apples will make your kitchen smell amazing! They make a tasty side dish but can also be served as a topping for waffles or pancakes.

Serving of baked apples in a bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Baked Cinnamon Apples

Apples become rich and flavorful when baked in the oven. Stick with a variety that isn’t too tart or sweet, like Honeycrisp or Gala.

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14. Hand Pies

Hand pies are so much fun! I include options for other fillings too, like berries or peaches.

Apple hand pie cut in half and stacked on top of itself showcasing the flaky pastry dough and juicy apple filling.
Hand Pies

Homemade hand pies are super easy with my buttery, flaky (and super easy!) from-scratch pie crust. Can be made with a juicy berry, peach, or apple filling!

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15. Applesauce

Making your own applesauce is surprisingly easy. You only need four ingredients!

small glass jar of homemade applesauce
Homemade Applesauce

My applesauce recipe comes together in one pot in less than an hour. Feel free to customize it with other fruits, different sweeteners, spices, and flavorings.

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16. Apple Cake

Classic Jewish apple cake is so simple to make. You don’t even need a mixer!

apple cake on white plate
Apple Cake

You can make this apple cake in a sheet pan or bundt pan. It works with just about any apple, though Granny Smith are my preference!

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17. Caramel Apple Dip

Skip the store-bought version and make your own REAL caramel apple dip! Great for parties!

Dipping an apple slice into a white dish full of caramel dip
Caramel Apple Dip

This homemade caramel apple dip is made with real caramelized sugar–no condensed milk or brown sugar shortcuts! It tastes so much better than the store-bought kind.

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18. Apple Slab Pie

Easier than a classic pie, slab pies bake in a jelly roll pan. Instead of a top crust, we’ll add a crumbly walnut topping–so good!

Apple slab pie with scoop of vanilla ice cream
Apple Slab Pie

Apple slab pie is a thinner, sheet pan version of regular apple pie. My version has a walnut-infused crumb topping and a homemade crust!

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19. Apple Crumb Cake

Similar to a coffee cake, this apple cake has a spiced streusel topping. It’s easy to whip together and has an incredible flavor!

Slice of apple crumb cake on plate
Apple Crumb Cake

My apple crumb cake features a soft cake made with plenty of apples and a buttery spiced streusel. Add a vanilla glaze if you’re feeling fancy!

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20. Fried Apples

Fried apples make a tasty topping for whole wheat pancakes, French toast, or ice cream. Use firm, tart apples for best results!

Fried apples topped with ice cream on white plate
Fried Apples

These apples cook in butter, sugar, and cinnamon on the stove. They are so easy and quick!

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21. Apple Galettes

Galettes are like lazy day, super simple pies! My mini version has a homemade caramel sauce and a buttery homemade pie crust.

Caramel apple galette topped with vanilla ice cream.
Caramel Apple Mini Galettes

Caramelized apples bake up in a buttery homemade crust in this simple galette recipe. Top with vanilla ice cream for even more indulgence!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of apples are best for baking?

Typically, you should choose apples that are nice and firm so they hold their shape after a stint in the oven. This usually includes Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala and Cortland, to name a few. I use Granny Smith apples in most of my apple recipes.

What can I do with a lot of apples?

Out of all my apple recipes, my apple butter uses the most at a whopping 5.5 lbs! Some other apple-heavy recipes include my applesauce, Dutch apple pie, and apple slab pie (3 lbs each). My apple crisp uses slightly less at 2 lbs.

Can I freeze apples?

Yes you can! Just know that freezing apples changes their texture and they are usually much more soft when they thaw. I wouldn’t recommend using frozen fruit in apple recipes where the apples remain intact or in large pieces (like my apple dumplings, caramel apple dip, baked apples, or fried apples).

Do I need to peel my apples before baking?

It really depends on your preference! I typically remove them (unless I’m making my apple butter) since the peels can get tough and chewy when baked. I’ll typically tell you in the recipe whether you need to peel your apples.

spatula stirring chopped apples coated in cinnamon

I can’t wait to hear which recipes you try from this list! I plan to add a few more apple recipes to the blog this fall–are there any specific ones you’d like to see? Let me know in the comments 👇

Enjoy!

If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook



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