These 19 Southern Desserts Turned My Cookout Invite Into a Tradition

Every time I brought one of these to the table, people started asking if I was coming just for the dessert. That’s how these Southern desserts turned my cookout invite into a tradition—now I can’t show up without a pie, cobbler, or cake in hand. It’s like once you serve something this good, you’re officially on dessert duty for life. Honestly, I’m not even mad about it.

Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie

A fork cutting a bite of derby pie. — Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic Derby Pie is made with a butter crust and a chocolate and walnut filling. lt’s like a chocolate chip cookie in pie form.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Walnut Kentucky Derby Pie

Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe

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

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No mixer is needed for this simple peach cake. Melted butter in the baking dish creates a fabulous crust.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Cake Recipe

Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

A sliced sweet potato pie topped with whipped cream. — Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Southern Sweet Potato Pie is a beloved dessert, similar to pumpkin pie but even better. Serve it all year long, not just during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Classic Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler

A close-up of a baked peach cobbler in a white dish, with a golden-brown crust and a serving spoon scooping out the warm, gooey peach filling. — Classic Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This time-honored peach cobbler features a juicy peach filling topped with a golden, buttery biscuit crust. One of the most iconic peach desserts, it’s best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Classic Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler

Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie

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

Treat yourself to the creamy delight of Southern Buttermilk Pie. It’s a classic with a touch of cinnamon – pure yumminess!
Get the Recipe: Southern Recipe For A Buttermilk Pie

Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream Cheese (With Mascarpone Option!)

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

This banana pudding recipe with cream cheese (or Marscapone!) is even better than the classic. The yummiest, easiest homemade pudding recipe!
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Recipe With Cream Cheese (With Mascarpone Option!)

From Scratch Chocolate Mud Cake With Marshmallow Frosting

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

This rich, decadent cake recipe has a moist chocolate cake base topped with gooey marshmallows and a homemade butter frosting.
Get the Recipe: From Scratch Chocolate Mud Cake With Marshmallow Frosting

Southern Peach Cobbler in a Cast Iron Skillet

A skillet peach cobbler topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, served with two spoons. A bowl of cobbler with ice cream and sliced fresh peaches are placed nearby on a light surface. — Southern Peach Cobbler in a Cast Iron Skillet. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

This Southern Peach Cobbler is cooked in a cast-iron skillet. The peaches caramelize on the stove making a gooey brown sugar sauce with a butter crust.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler in a Cast Iron Skillet

Classic Southern Red Velvet Cake

A slice of three-layer red velvet cake with white cream cheese frosting between the layers and on the outside, served on a white plate. — Classic Southern Red Velvet Cake. Photo credit: Mom Loves Baking.

Classic Southern Red Velvet Cake – moist yet dense with just a hint of cocoa and topped with a fluffy cream cheese buttercream.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Red Velvet Cake

Chocolate Praline Layer Cake

A two-layer chocolate cake filled and topped with whipped cream, pecan halves, and chocolate curls, displayed on a white plate. — Chocolate Praline Layer Cake. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

This Chocolate Praline Layer Cake has 2 layers of devil’s food cake topped with a praline mixture and whipped cream. An easy but elegant southern dessert.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Praline Layer Cake

Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars

A rectangular caramel dessert bar is plated on a white cutting board with caramel sauce drizzled around it, next to a stack of bars on a marble slab, with two spoons and a striped cloth nearby. — Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars are seriously so good! All the things you love about snickerdoodles plus soft caramel in the middle!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars

Easy Apple Crumb Pie With Homemade Crust

Homemade apple crumble pie — Easy Apple Crumb Pie With Homemade Crust. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Apple crumb pie is an easy make ahead dessert that everyone loves with a flaky crust filled with apples, topped with a walnut filled crumble.
Get the Recipe: Easy Apple Crumb Pie With Homemade Crust

Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

Buttery cream cheese pound cake with vanilla and lemon zest. Soft, dense, and delicious—ideal for sharing or freezing for later.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe From Scratch

Layered No-Bake Banana Split Cake

A slice of banana split dessert, one of the best easy desserts, is topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, chopped nuts, colorful sprinkles, and a cherry on a white plate. Other dessert slices and sprinkles are visible in the background. — Layered No-Bake Banana Split Cake. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

No Bake Banana Split Cake has layers of sweet buttery crust, creamy filling, juicy fruit, and classic sundae toppings made in an easy 9×13 pan.
Get the Recipe: Layered No-Bake Banana Split Cake

Easy Apple Pie Bars

A glass serving platter with apple bars next to serving plates and forks. — Easy Apple Pie Bars. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Apple Pie Bars have a buttery shortbread crust and cookie like topping over a combination of sweet and tart apples.
Get the Recipe: Easy Apple Pie Bars

Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

A slice of creamy cheesecake—a classic among desserts with cream cheese—rests on a clear plate, topped with a generous drizzle of thick caramel sauce that drips down the sides. The background is a soft, blurred gray surface. — Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts

A classic Southern staple meets traditional cheesecake in this Pecan Praline Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce!
Get the Recipe: Pecan Praline Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

Baked Apple Fritters With Double Glaze

These crispy, golden-brown Baked Apple Fritters are filled with sweet, juicy apple chunks and topped with a luscious glaze.
Get the Recipe: Baked Apple Fritters With Double Glaze

Berry Cream Cheese Pie

A slice of cheesecake with berries on top — Berry Cream Cheese Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

With its buttery crust, robust berry flavor, and creamy filling, this Cream Cheese Pie is perfect for any occasion and is easy enough for first-time bakers to tackle.
Get the Recipe: Berry Cream Cheese Pie

Cinnamon Apple Blondies

Apple blondies on a cooling rack. — Cinnamon Apple Blondies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cinnamon Apple Blondies are a softer version of a traditional blondie. Cinnamon spiced apples give them moisture and sweetness!
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apple Blondies

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