But what if you don’t want to serve a pie — as incredible as apple pies can be? What if you want something different? The number of apple desserts floating around that can rival the apple pie are plentiful. We wanted to make it a little easier for you to choose, so we gathered 10 of our favorites to share with you. These desserts can be made as an alternative to apple pie during the holidays, or you can enjoy them any time of year!
1. Salted caramel apple pie bars
The perfect blend of an apple pie and salted caramel bars has to be these Salted caramel apple pie bars from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Featuring a buttery shortbread crust, brown-sugary oat streusel, gooey cinnamon apples, and silky-smooth salted caramel, this is a recipe your family will love — and one that you will make over and over again.
2. Apple pie scones
These delicious Apple pie scones from Budget Bytes are unbelievably moist and go perfectly with coffee. They also can be made ahead of time and frozen for a quick, on-the-go breakfast treat. At just 32 cents per serving, these scones fit right into any budget!
3. Caramel apple poke cake
Many people love a great poke cake made with a pudding, cream, or even vintage ones with Jell-O, but have you ever made a Caramel apple poke cake like this recipe from 3 Yummy Tummies? It turns the traditional poke cake into a treat so indulgent and delicious that friends and family will request it not just during the holidays, but for birthdays, too.
4. Apple fritter coffee cake
This Apple fritter coffee cake recipe from Divas Can Cook comes with a warning label: “This apple fritter coffee cake is so light, moist, fluffy, and delicious that you will more than likely have two slices back to back.” Sounds like a must-try to us!
5. Mini salted caramel apple pie jars
These Mini salted caramel apple pie jars from Jessica Gavin are just the right size to satisfy your sweet tooth! Filled with decadent homemade caramel and tender spiced apples, they’re bite-sized treats that are perfect for dessert at home or to take to a holiday party.
6. Baked caramel apple cheesecake dip
Here’s a real crowd-pleaser! Baked caramel apple cheesecake dip from Lemon Tree Dwelling tastes like a combination of apple pie and cheesecake. Scoop it up with your choice of dipper — vanilla wafers, oatmeal cookies, graham crackers… or maybe just a spoon.
7. Mini apple strudels
Abeer at Cake Whiz says her Mini apple strudel recipe is really for “lazy” apple strudels, but that’s just because they have only four ingredients, and can be ready in half an hour. We’re all for that brand of lazy!
8. Apple pie baked apples
The Apple pie baked apple recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is everything you love about apple pie — the gooey cinnamon filling, the warm apples, the buttery homemade pie crust — all baked inside an apple. This is a fun and festive dessert everyone will love.
9. Caramel apple crisp
Sure — you’ve had apple crisp before. But this Caramel apple crisp recipe from 15 Spatulas uses the caramel to provide lots of the sweetness, instead of just granulated sugar, and it really gives this dessert a rich flavor that makes it hard to beat.
10. Crustless apple pie baked apples
For apple pie lovers who aren’t fond of the crust, this Crustless apple pie baked apple recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie is a healthy alternative. While it skips the sugar and butter that give apple filling so many calories, it doesn’t skimp on flavor, with its abundance of cinnamon, apples and granola.
