The 20 Best Apple Recipes For Thanksgiving

The holiday isn't complete without at least one treat featuring autumn's favorite fruit.

By

Mary Alice Russell

Updated on September 4, 2024

Apple Butter Cobbler with Drop Biscuits — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

From baked apples to the classic apple pie, we're sharing the best apple recipes for Thanksgiving this year. The crisp, seasonal fruit is versatile, allowing it to be a staple of the season and nearly every fall menu. You can use apples in more savory dishes or go simply sweet with desserts from fresh apple cake to caramel apples. We have pulled some of our favorite apple recipes that will be the highlight of your Thanksgiving table, carrying the warm seasonal flavors of fall into the holiday season.

01 of 20

Easy Skillet Apple Pie

Southern Living Easy Skillet Apple Pie ready to serve — Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Everything's better when it's made in a cast-iron skillet, and this recipe is a testament to that Southern belief. This relatively classic pie uses two kinds of apples, Granny Smith and Braeburn, for a bright, crisp flavor that everyone in your family will love.

02 of 20

Fresh Apple Cake

Fresh Apple Cake — Hannah Zimmerman

Topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans, this apple cake is the ultimate fall treat. Our recipe for the delightful dessert has been a Southern Living staple since it was first published in 2001, and we plan on making it for years to come.

03 of 20

Apple Crumble

Southern Living Apple Crumble in the baking dish to serve with a serving out to the side — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

No one will blink an eye if you offer up apple crumble instead of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. This rich, comforting dessert will be snapped up in seconds. Serve with ice cream for extra special flair.

04 of 20

Slow-Cooker Apple Butter

Southern Living Slow Cooker Apple Butter — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

At Southern Living, we are firm believers in the transformative power of apple butter. You can slather it on just about anything and it will taste good. On our Thanksgiving table, we will be serving apple butter to be paired with homemade biscuits and rolls, but a little bit could get on our greens or turkey and we wouldn't complain.

05 of 20

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

When you're planning to be a guest at someone else's Thanksgiving table, you can't show up to the party empty-handed. These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are just the thing to bring to any sort of big gathering. The pretzel-graham cracker crust adds an extra element of fun that kids of all ages will love.

06 of 20

Apple Rose Tart

Apple Rose Tart - Southern Living — Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This recipe is what we like to call a showstopper. Even though the tart has an intricate design, we have made it with pre-made pie crust so it is an impressive-looking dish without an impressive amount of effort.

07 of 20

Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake — Greg DuPree

One bite and you'll fall in love with this seasonal Bundt cake. With a cream cheese filling and praline frosting, it's also a uniquely Southern take on a bake-and-take dessert.

08 of 20

Apple-Bourbon Pie

Apple-Bourbon Pie Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

In search of a pie that is just as pretty as it is delicious? You will love this apple-bourbon pie, made with liquor, raisins, apricot jam, and other flavorful surprises. It is a true work of art inside and out.

09 of 20

Apple Muffins

Apple Muffins - Southern Living — Stephen DeVries; Prop Styilst: Kay Clarke; Food Styilst: Emily Hall

Snack on these apple treats while you are making your Thanksgiving feast or have them as a little sweet breakfast to pair with coffee. It's hard to turn down a homemade muffin (or two!) on a brisk fall day.

10 of 20

Instant Pot Applesauce

instant pot apple sauce — Jennifer Causey

Applesauce is a welcome addition to any meal, and this recipe takes just over an hour instead of all day to make. A little bit of fresh lemon juice makes this a favorite side for people of all ages.

11 of 20

Apple Pie Cake

Apple Pie Cake - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

We love apple pie and we love cake so we decided, why not combine the two? This recipe uses white cake mix, which makes it easy to assemble on Thanksgiving Day.

12 of 20

Cranberry-Apple Cider

Cranberry-Apple Cider — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Apples are not just for side dishes, desserts, and spreads. You should be sipping on some apple cider during Thanksgiving, too. This recipe, which uses fresh or frozen cranberries and a whole lot of warm spices feels especially perfect for the holiday. Add a little bit of brandy or bourbon for a boozy beverage that adults will love.

13 of 20

Caramel Apple Cake

Caramel Apple Cake — Hector Manuel Sanchez

This Thanksgiving confection marries two of our favorite Southern sweets, caramel cake, and fresh apples into one beautiful dessert. The stunning presentation alone is reason enough to try this recipe.

14 of 20

Apple Cinnamon Bread

Apple Cinnamon Bread — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

We love eating apples throughout the fall and this love truly comes in all forms. Our Apple Cinnamon Bread will be a welcome addition to your Thanksgiving breakfast or use it to make sandwiches out of leftover turkey.

15 of 20

Baked Cinnamon Apples

Southern Living Baked Cinnamon Apples in a pink bowl — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Few things in life are better than baked apples. Throw together apples and spices into a large top-zip bag to toss and ensure that every part of the apple is covered in sweetness and spice.

16 of 20

Fried Apple Pies

Fried Apple Pies — Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

These fried apple pies fit in the palm of your hand, meaning you'll have room for at least one after the feast. Tossed in a generous coat of cinnamon sugar, this recipe is an absolute delight.

17 of 20

Apple Bread Pudding

Southern Living Apple Bread pudding on a plate to serve — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

We are all about bread pudding in the South, and this recipe is truly special. If you haven't already had enough bread on Thanksgiving day, from the cornbread dressing to the rolls, this dessert is sure to be devoured by your guests.

18 of 20

Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls With Apple Cider Glaze

Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Cider Glaze — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

What's the best way to take your cinnamon rolls to the next level? Our slow cooker apple butter. Apple butter is the hero in a lot of these apple-based recipes, but the apple butter really shines in this breakfast treat as you spread it on the dough just like you would butter in a classic cinnamon bun recipe.

19 of 20

Apple Chess Pie

Apple Chess Pie in a brown pie dish — Photo: James Ransom; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

There is nothing wrong with adding a little autumnal twist to a well-known favorite. We are by no means dissing the classic chess pie, but apples create a different flavor and texture we can't resist.

20 of 20

Apple Butter Cobbler With Drop Biscuits

Apple Butter Cobbler with Drop Biscuits — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Cobbler is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy apples. This recipe with homemade drop biscuits and a cup of slow cooker apple butter has a little bit of extra apple flavor baked in.

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