America’s 13 Favorite Desserts—Ranked by Sweet Tooths Nationwide

I’ve always been curious about which sweet treats people across the country just can’t resist. Turns out, when you line up America’s favorite desserts, the results are actually pretty surprising (and drool-worthy). Whether you’re into rich chocolate or fruity classics, this list has something that’ll hit the spot. Let’s just say sweet tooths nationwide did not hold back.

#1 Buttermilk Pie—Southern Simplicity at Its Sweetest

A buttermilk pie that has been cut into slices. — Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy Southern pie is a sleeper hit with a hint of tang and a smooth, custardy center—comfort food for anyone with a true sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe: Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie

#2 Banana Pudding—America’s No-Bake Darling

A baking dish of banana pudding with a serving spoon. — Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream Cheese (With Mascarpone Option!). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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This cool and creamy banana pudding layers nostalgia with luscious flavor—topped off with cream cheese or mascarpone for a twist that makes it irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream

#3 Peach Pound Cake—The Southern Favorite That Sticks

A slice of peach pound cake with whipped cream. — Fresh Peach Pound Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Moist and dense with juicy peaches baked right in, this rich pound cake is a true Southern staple and a dessert-lover’s dream.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Pound Cake

#4 Peach Cobbler Cake—Comfort in Every Crumble

A blue baking pan with peach cobbler cake covered with ice cream. — Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Half cake, half cobbler, and 100% adored—this Southern favorite bakes up buttery and golden with no mixer needed.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe

#5 German Chocolate Brownies—The Gooey Bar Everyone Craves

A batch of German chocolate brownies on parchment paper. — German Chocolate Brownies with Coconut. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Layers of rich brownie and coconut-pecan filling deliver a flavor bomb straight from the bakery case to your kitchen counter.
Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Brownies with Coconut

#6 Mississippi Mud Cake—The Chocolate Bombshell

A piece of cake with a bite taken out. — From Scratch Chocolate Mud Cake With Marshmallow Frosting. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With marshmallow topping and rich chocolate frosting over a fudgy base, this Southern dessert is unapologetically indulgent.
Get the Recipe: From Scratch Chocolate Mud Cake With Marshmallow Frosting

#7 Morning Glory Muffins—Sweet, Spiced, and Totally Classic

A muffin broken in half covered with cinnamon butter. — Old School Morning Glory Muffins With Coconut. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These hearty, coconut-kissed muffins have earned their spot as a nostalgic favorite—perfect for breakfast or an afternoon bite of something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Old School Morning Glory Muffins With Coconut

#8 Pecan Pie—A Nutty Icon with No Corn Syrup

Close-up of sliced pecan pie with a golden brown crust, topped with whole and chopped pecans, displayed on a white plate—perfect inspiration for your Christmas pie recipes. — Rich And Nutty Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Sticky, nutty, and impossibly delicious—this pecan pie ditches corn syrup for a maple-infused upgrade that sweet tooths love.
Get the Recipe: Rich And Nutty Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

#9 Pineapple Upside Down Cake—Retro Never Tasted So Good

A round pineapple upside-down cake, a classic among vintage desserts, is topped with six pineapple rings—each with a red cherry center—displayed on a plate. The cake boasts a glossy, caramelized surface. — Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From Cake Mix!). Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Golden rings of pineapple and sticky brown sugar topping make this throwback cake a nationwide favorite for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Cake (From Cake Mix!)

#10 Kentucky Butter Cake—The Moist Marvel

A close-up of a sliced bundt cake with a light glaze. The southern dessert is golden brown with a moist, dense interior. One piece is cut and raised on a cake server, revealing the soft cake texture inside. The background includes a white surface and blurred utensils. — Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soaked in sweet buttery syrup, this Southern Bundt is simple, golden, and endlessly satisfying—everything a favorite should be.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

#11 Lemon Icebox Pie—The Cool Classic

A creamy pie with a golden brown graham cracker crust is partially cut, revealing its smooth texture. A slice of this delectable lemon dessert is placed on a white scalloped plate nearby, next to another plate holding lemon wedges and silver utensils. A grey napkin lies beneath the plates. — Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Tangy, chilled, and topped with whipped cream—this lemon icebox pie has been cooling down dessert lovers for decades.
Get the Recipe: Classic Lemon Icebox Pie With Condensed Milk

#12 St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake—A Sticky-Sweet Midwest Legend

A close-up image of a partially-eaten lemon cake in a rectangular baking dish, with a serving spatula. The cake has a golden-brown crust and is dusted with powdered sugar. You can see a piece has been removed, showing a moist and crumbly interior.

This rich sheet cake with its golden crust and gooey center is a regional treasure that’s earned national recognition one bite at a time.
Get the Recipe: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

#13 Bread Pudding—Warm, Cozy, and Timeless

A serving of bread pudding with a spoon. — A Truly Classic Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This cozy dessert turns day-old bread into something magical—soft, spiced, and topped with creamy vanilla sauce.
Get the Recipe: A Truly Classic Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

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