26 Best Southern Desserts

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This post is a one-stop-shop for Southern dessert lovers who crave a good old-fashioned sweet treat. 

What are Southern desserts?

Southern desserts are classic after-dinner favorites primarily from the Southern US states.

These Southern desserts include down South classics and favorite African-American dessert recipes, like:

… and more!

Southern Desserts Best Recipes

How do you make Southern desserts?

These aren’t your average Southern desserts. 

When possible, I’ve used an Instant Pot pressure cooker or the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven to make the same Southern comfort food desserts with buttery-rich flavors in a fraction of the traditional time!

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Your taste buds will be delighted by these tried and true traditional desserts – now quicker and easier to make. 

Why not add some Southern flair to your meal?

These are recipes for the same classic Southern desserts – with a new contemporary twist!

There’s Black folks banana pudding and Instant Pot banana pudding made from scratchStrawberry pretzel salad – also known as strawberry pretzel pie.  

Little Southern desserts called pie crust cookies, and of course strawberry rhubarb pie.

And the list goes on and on, from an Instant Pot banana bread loaf to purple sweet potato pie!

  • Southern pig pickin cake

Delight your family and friends with a Southern soul food pig pickin cake – the only mandarin orange-infused cake with pineapple frosting! 

Southern Soul Food Pig Pickin Cake
Southern Soul Food Pig Pickin Cake
What is a Southern soul food pig pickin cake? 
It's a homemade, moist yellow cake with whipped pineapple frosting, vanilla pudding, and sweet mandarin oranges baked in. Pig pickin is a cake as unique as its name and the official dessert of Southern pig roasts and pickings!
Check out this recipe!
  • Pie crust cookies Southern desserts

What’s better than cookies? How about cute little pie crust ones! Heavenly, crispy, and flaky pie crust cookie bites. Get the best flavors of each season in every bite.

What Is A Pie Crust Cookie?
Pie Crust Cookies Southern Desserts
What is a pie crust cookie?
Imagine this. The perfect sweet, flaky crust, bite-size piece of pie with your favorite seasoning (cinnamon, nutmeg) or simply sugar sprinkled over the top…
You just imagined pie crust cookies!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks Southern peach cobbler recipe

Southern peach cobbler is an iconic Southern dessert first created with biscuit dough, dropped over sliced peaches, and placed at the bottom of an iron pot. It was baked in an open hearth, cooking over hot coals for… Presto – peach cobbler!

Black Folks Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Black Folks Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
This soul food dessert and the darling favorite of the South is loaded with fresh, juicy peaches and topped with a light and airy cinnamon sugar crust. A cobbler so delicious, you may want to eat it all. All by yourself!
Check out this recipe!
  • Southern Living chocolate lava cake recipe

How to make chocolate lava cakes at home!

Southern Living Chocolate Lava Cake In The Instant Pot
Southern Living Chocolate Lava Cake In The Instant Pot
What is Southern Living chocolate lava cake in the Instant Pot?
It's a spin on a classic Southern Living chocolate lava cake recipe. 
Today it's elevated for easier Instant Pot making instead of oven baking!
Check out this recipe!
  • Instant Pot Southern banana pudding from scratch

Pudding desserts in Southern style. Why not?

Instant Pot Banana pudding is a Southern dessert specialty that everyone should know how to make from scratch. I’ve made it even easier to learn how with this Instant Pot recipe.

Southern Banana Pudding Recipe
Instant Pot Banana Pudding From Scratch
Instant Pot banana pudding from scratch – Southern desserts at their finest!
This banana pudding recipe just got easier with the help of an electric pressure cooker.
Check out this recipe!
  • Southern ambrosia salad

Most Southern ambrosia recipes contain canned fruit or fresh fruit like Dole pineapple chunks, canned mandarin or navel orange slices, miniature marshmallows, whipped cream, cream cheese, and coconut flakes.

Southern Ambrosia Recipe
Southern Ambrosia Recipe
Ambrosia salad is a Southern dessert made with tropical and citrus fruits like mandarin orange, pineapple, and shredded coconut. 
While ambrosia of the gods bestowed immortality on all who ate it. Human ambrosia simply bestows a very divine and refreshing taste after fried chicken and potato salad!
Check out this recipe!
  • Strawberry pretzel salad

This Southern dessert isn’t just any salad; it’s the new queen of salads! A classic Southern dessert and a decadent dish called a salad. Probably because it won’t leave you feeling weighed down as many heavy desserts do!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe Jelll-O
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Strawberry pretzel salad combines strawberries with crunchy pretzels and cream cheese whipped topping.
This Southern dessert is a great way to use up some of the strawberries that are in season now! 
Check out this recipe!
  • Lemon meltaway cookies

The days are long, the sky is blue, and lemon meltaway cookies remind you of everything that tastes lemon juice zesty and new! So if you want to serve the most popular cookie in the South, make this ultimate Southern cookie treat.

Plate Of Lemon Meltaway Cookies
Southern Desserts Lemon Meltaway Cookies
Best lemon desserts of all time. Lemon meltaway cookies taste just like summer!
Make lemon meltaway cookies with lemon glaze icing.
Check out this recipe!
  • Strawberry rhubarb pie

The strawberry-rhubarb filling provides tart flavor, with sweet notes balanced by a crust that’s crunchy around the edges yet still tender in the middle. It’s very symbolic of what Spring has to offer. This pie will have you looking forward to warmer days that have arrived. 

Strawberry Rhubarb - Do You Need To Cook Rhubarb Before Baking?
Southern Desserts Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Let's pair rhubarb with strawberry to prepare delicious strawberry rhubarb pie! 
The combination of tart rhubarb, tangy strawberry, and buttery crust turns into an addictive flavor that will have your mouth watering for more!
It's delicious, easy to make, and will have people begging you to make this recipe again and again! 
 
Check out this recipe!
  • Lemon zucchini bread

This classic bread is a perfect light dessert, snack, or even a quick breakfast. Made with an all-natural blend of zucchini and lemon zest, the bread comes out full of flavor and is perfect for any occasion! 

Lemon Zucchini Bread
Lemon zucchini bread Instant Pot easy cake recipe & lemon zucchini recipes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Easily freeze loafs for later!
Check out this recipe!
  • Instant Pot banana bread

Banish the days of dry and flavorless quick bread! Instant Pot banana bread puts a stop to bland bakery loaves with ultra-moist banana goodness within an hour! 

Instant Pot Banana Bread
Instant Pot Banana Bread
Instant Pot banana bread is as quick and easy as mixing a few ingredients in a bowl, pouring the mixture into a cake pan and placing the pan in the pot!
Check out this recipe!
Best Southern Desserts

Traditional African American desserts

What do African-Americans eat for dessert? 

Check out these best recipes for some of what Black folks include as part of our soul food Southern desserts menu.

  • Black folks Southern banana pudding

Why would you serve another type of pudding when it could be Black folks Southern banana pudding?

This mouth-watering recipe has been tempting Southerners for generations with ingredients like cream cheese and vanilla wafer cookies. There’s nothing like this Southern dessert recipe’s whipped creamy texture and sweet taste. 

Black Southern Banana Pudding
Black Folks Southern Banana Pudding
How to make banana pudding the Black way
You'll never be able to look at other banana pudding the same way once you've tried this soul food delicious delight – Southern banana pudding prepared the Black way!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks chocolate Southern banana pudding recipe
Black Folks Chocolate Southern Banana Pudding
Black Folks Chocolate Southern Banana Pudding Recipe
This chocolate banana pudding recipe is as quick and easy as the original soul food banana pudding recipe.
You simply add an additional layer of chocolate pudding and crunchy buttery Nilla Wafers for pure chocolate bliss!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks Southern bread pudding
Black Folks Southern Bread Pudding
Black Folks Southern Bread Pudding
Are you looking for an old-fashioned Southern bread pudding or a soul food African American bread pudding recipe?
Then look no further than this Black folks' Southern bread pudding – your easy go-to recipe!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks baked apples

Is it a dessert or a side dish? Of course, it’s 100% a dessert if you add vanilla ice cream! But you can let guests decide the role of this conversation starter recipe at your next Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas feast!!

Black Folks Baked Apple Slices
Black Folks Baked Apple Slices
What makes this a soul food specialty? It’s gotta be the spices! 
Cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla combine with fresh apples to make Black folks baked apple slices.
Check out this recipe!
  • Soul food apple pie recipe

This sweet soul food apple pie recipe is not difficult to make, and any beginner can master it.

Soul Food Apple Pie Recipe
Soul Food Southern Apple Pie Recipe
What makes this apple pie a Southern soul food specialty?
The flavor! This soul food apple pie recipe features fresh apples sweetened with brown sugar and spiced with a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Seasoned to perfection, the apples are roasted and then baked in the pie to leave you reminiscing on the best Southern dinners!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks Southern soul food carrot cake
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Carrot Cake Recipe
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Carrot Cake Recipe
Soul food carrot cake is a Southern dessert specialty enjoyed by many African-American families as a sweet holiday tradition.
Black folks tend to make a more spiced carrot cake with classic homemade cream cheese frosting. 
Check out this recipe!
  • Cranberry sauce cornbread 

It’s the best of both worlds with this recipe! A combination of Black folks’ fresh cranberry sauce and Black folks’ homemade cornbread.

Also, check out this recipe for how to make fresh cranberry sauce even easier in an Instant Pot!

Cranberry Sauce Cornbread Recipe
Cranberry Sauce Cornbread
A sweet soul food cornbread and fresh cranberry sauce treat!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks red velvet cake 
Black Folks Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Southern Red Velvet Cake
Red velvet cake is considered to be soul food of the South!
A Black folks' Southern red velvet cake is a made-from-scratch decadent red sponge cake with homemade cream cheese frosting. A cake that's just sweet enough to be irresistible!
Check out this recipe!
Best Southern Desserts Purple Sweet Potato Pie
  • Black folks sweet potato pie 

Black folks’ deep-south sweet potato pie is somewhere between a Southern candied yam and an old-fashioned gingersnap! 

Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe™
A Black folks’ sweet potato pie recipe is a delightful Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert packed with flavorful seasonings and spices in the tradition of Black folks’ soul food cooking. 
Check out this recipe!

 

  • Purple sweet potato pie 

Try Black folks sweet potato pie’s contemporary cousin made with Stokes purple sweet potatoes!

Black Folks Purple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Black Folks Purple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
New twist on an old classic: Introducing Black folks purple sweet potato pie recipe!
Same but new – incredible soul food flavors with a regal purple hue!
Check out this recipe!
  • Wakanda food purple sweet potato pie
Wakanda Food Purple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Wakanda Food Purple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Join the kings and queens of Wakanda and take in African flavor-packed meals of Wakanda Forever food! 
This Wakanda food purple sweet potato pie is reminiscent of the purple ancient Heart-Shaped Flower known to give strength to the new Black Panther.
Check out this recipe!
  • Southern sweet potato pie

What makes this sweet potato pie Southern? It’s the addition of the smooth velvety cream cheese frosting!

Southern Sweet Potato Pie With Cream Cheese
Southern Sweet Potato Pie With Cream Cheese
Similar to my original Black Folks' Sweet Potato Pie™, this Southern sweet potato pie recipe uses fresh sweet potatoes and soul food spices and seasonings. 
But for this recipe, it's the Southern charm added to the pie after it bakes, a thin layer of homemade cream cheese frosting is spread on top to savor the sweet taste of Southern hospitality!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks Southern pecan pie recipe
Black Folks Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Black Folks Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Black folks' Southern pecan pie recipe is an old-fashioned African American soul food classic that yields an abundance of sweet flavor with each bite.
Brown sugar is combined with a syrupy pecan filling, caramelized, and then baked.
Check out this recipe!
  • Soul food almond flour pie crust

An almond flour pie crust is so easy to make, just like a regular pie crust. Even if you don’t have any baking experience at all, trust me, you’ll be able to whip this up in minutes!

Soul Food Almond Flour Pie Crust
Soul Food Almond Flour Pie Crust
What’s the story of soul food and almond flour pie crust?
Almond flour has a Black folks' history and soul food legacy.
Black cooks in the South used to bake with almond flour because they didn't have access to traditional flour. The result was a moister, richer, and softer baked good!
Check out this recipe!
  • Black folks Southern tea cakes
Black Folks Southern Tea Cake Recipe
Black Folks Southern Tea Cake Recipe
A Black folks' tea cake recipe is a delightful Southern dessert. These little round cakes are light and airy, sometimes compared to soda bread or pound cake. Like sweet little biscuits, tea cakes are highly valued in the South and are a traditional African American treat dating back to the 1600s.
Check out this recipe!
  • Cranberry brie bites
Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry Brie Bites
Sparkling cranberry brie bites is one of my all time favorite dishes to make when entertaining during the holidays. Not only is it a beautiful dish, but it’s very tasty, too!
Check out this recipe!

What do you think about this best Southern desserts recipes list?

What’s your favorite Southern dessert recipe here?

If you like this recipe roundup, then you’ll love these Black folks best cornbread dressing recipesbest soul food cornbread recipe roundup HERE.

Leave a 5-star rating and a comment below, and share your finished Thanksgiving turkey pictures HERE in the Facebook group!

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12 Best Southern Desserts
Black Southern Banana Pudding

Best Southern Desserts | Black Folks Southern Banana Pudding

How to make banana pudding the Black way
You'll never be able to look at other Southern desserts or banana pudding the same way once you've tried this soul food delicious delight – Southern banana pudding prepared the Black way!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 12
Calories: 301kcal

Equipment

  • 9×13 baking dish

Ingredients

  • 3 bananas ripe & sliced into 1″ discs
  • 8 oz. whipped cream 1 container
  • 8 oz. cream cheese 1 container, whipped
  • 4.6 oz. vanilla pudding 1 box of cook & serve
  • 11 oz. Nilla Wafers 1 box and ¼ cup of crumbled Nilla Wafers cookies

Instructions

  • Make the instant pudding according to the pudding mixture instructions and set it aside in the refrigerator.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, mix the whipped topping and cream cheese and set aside.
  • Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking pan with Nilla Wafer cookies.
  • Add a layer of banana slices over the Nilla Wafers.
  • Using a small spatula, spread the vanilla pudding evenly over the bananas.
  • Add a layer of the whipped topping and cream cheese mixture over the layer of pudding.
  • Sprinkle the ¼ cup of crumbled cookies all over the top layer of whipped cream.
  • Allow the banana pudding to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe can be made per the instructions and transferred to individual baking cups, ramekins or mason jars.
Slice pieces carefully to preserve the banana pudding layers when transferring.
Black Southern Banana Pudding
  • Want to make just half of this recipe, or need to make more or less banana pudding?
You can use this dynamic recipe card above to adjust the serving size for the proportionate amount of ingredients you’ll need!
Black Southern Banana Pudding Recipe
Soul Food Banana Pudding Recipe The Black Way

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 183mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 402IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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One Comment

  1. Cyrene Peñas says:

    My sweet tooth is craving from all these desserts! LOL