Top Southern Desserts: 26 Classic Recipes to Try Now

This post is a one-stop guide for lovers of Southern desserts who crave classic, old-fashioned sweet treats.

What are Southern desserts?

Southern desserts are classic after-dinner favorites originating in the Southern United States. Many are rooted in soul food and African-American culinary traditions and include beloved recipes such as Southern banana pudding, bread pudding, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, tea cakes, apple pie, pie crust cookies, pig pickin’ cake, red velvet cake, and strawberry rhubarb pie.

How do you make Southern desserts?

These recipes preserve traditional Southern flavors—rich, buttery, and comforting—while offering modern shortcuts where helpful. When suitable, Instant Pot methods are used to speed up preparation without sacrificing taste, and oven-friendly approaches are provided for more classic results.

Your taste buds will love these tried-and-true desserts—now easier and faster to prepare for busy households.

Why not add some Southern flair to your meal?

These recipes keep the spirit of the classics while offering contemporary twists. Favorites include traditional and Instant Pot versions of banana pudding, strawberry pretzel salad (also called strawberry pretzel pie), pie crust cookies, strawberry rhubarb pie, Instant Pot banana bread, and purple sweet potato pie.

• Southern pig pickin’ cake

A pig pickin’ cake is a moist yellow cake filled with mandarin oranges and topped with whipped pineapple frosting—a unique Southern roast dessert that brings bright, nostalgic flavors to the table.

• Pie crust cookies

Pie crust cookies are bite-size pieces of flaky pie crust, often topped with seasonal spices or sugar. They’re crisp, delicate, and a delightful way to enjoy pie flavors without baking a full pie.

• Black folks Southern peach cobbler

Peach cobbler began as biscuits dropped over sliced peaches and baked over coals. The Southern version combines syrupy peaches with a flaky, buttery crust and warm spices for a soulful, nostalgic dessert.

• Chocolate lava cake (Instant Pot option)

Chocolate lava cake can be made at home and adapted for the Instant Pot for simpler, reliable results with gooey centers and rich chocolate flavor.

• Instant Pot Southern banana pudding from scratch

Banana pudding is a Southern staple. The Instant Pot version streamlines the process while preserving the creamy, layered texture of homemade pudding layered with vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices.

• Southern ambrosia salad

Ambrosia blends canned or fresh fruit, marshmallows, whipped cream, cream cheese, and coconut for a light, fruity dessert popular at gatherings—a refreshing finish after a hearty Southern meal.

• Strawberry pretzel salad

This layered dessert pairs strawberries and Jell-O with a crunchy pretzel crust for an irresistible sweet-and-salty contrast, often served chilled.

• Lemon meltaway cookies

Light, buttery cookies with bright lemon flavor that literally melt on the tongue—an uplifting Southern cookie perfect for gatherings and tea.

• Strawberry rhubarb pie

Strawberry-rhubarb pie balances tart rhubarb with sweet strawberries inside a flaky, buttery crust. It’s a springtime classic with bright, bakery-style flavor.

• Lemon zucchini bread

A tender quick bread that combines zucchini and lemon zest for a light, flavorful loaf suitable for dessert, breakfast, or a snack.

• Instant Pot banana bread

The Instant Pot yields ultra-moist banana bread quickly, rescuing overripe bananas and delivering a reliably tender loaf.

Traditional African American desserts

What do African Americans eat for dessert?

Many traditional African-American desserts are central to soul food culture. Below are several beloved recipes and their defining qualities.

• Black folks Southern banana pudding

Southern banana pudding layers vanilla pudding, cream cheese, whipped topping, Nilla Wafers, and fresh banana slices into a creamy, nostalgic dessert that’s been cherished for generations.

• Chocolate banana pudding

A chocolate twist on the classic banana pudding that adds a rich cocoa element while keeping the layered comfort of the original.

• Black folks Southern bread pudding

Old-fashioned bread pudding is a comforting, custardy dessert made from day-old bread, milk, eggs, sugar, and warming spices—often served with a sweet sauce.

• Black folks baked apples

Tender apples simmered with brown sugar and cinnamon make a versatile dessert: serve warm with ice cream or alongside holiday dishes for a cozy, spiced finish.

• Soul food apple pie

This apple pie features apples sweetened with brown sugar and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, familiar Southern flavor that’s approachable for bakers of all levels.

• Black folks Southern carrot cake

Spiced carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a holiday favorite in many African-American households—moist, warmly spiced, and richly frosted.

• Cranberry cornbread

Cranberry cornbread brings sweet and tart bursts into hearty cornbread, making it a festive option for holidays or Sunday supper.

• Black folks red velvet cake

Red velvet cake is a rich, tender Southern classic with a hint of cocoa and smooth cream cheese frosting—decadent and celebratory.

• Black folks sweet potato pie

Sweet potato pie blends creamy sweet potatoes with warm spices for a classic Southern dessert that’s a staple at holidays and family gatherings.

• Purple sweet potato pie

A vibrant twist on sweet potato pie using purple sweet potatoes for a striking color and the same spiced, creamy flavor profile.

• Southern sweet potato pie (with cream cheese)

Some Southern versions top the baked pie with a thin layer of cream cheese frosting for a tangy-sweet finish that elevates the classic.

• Black folks pecan pie

Pecan pie combines caramelized brown sugar, buttery pecans, and a gooey syrup filling—an iconic Southern dessert with deep cultural significance.

• Almond flour pie crust

An almond flour crust is simple to make and yields moist, tender baked goods—an alternative with historical roots in some Southern cooking traditions.

• Black folks tea cakes

Tea cakes are light, round cakes with a tender crumb, often compared to small pound cakes or sweet biscuits. They are a long-standing Southern tradition.

• Cranberry brie bites

Cranberry brie bites are a festive, elegant choice for holiday entertaining—easy to assemble and visually appealing.

What do you think about this list of Southern desserts?

Which Southern dessert from this roundup is your favorite? If you enjoy these recipes, try other classic soul food favorites like cornbread dressing and traditional cornbread recipes.

Please leave a rating or comment for recipes you try and share photos of your finished dishes to celebrate these time-honored flavors.