Nothing hits the spot like something sweet after a delicious meal, and luckily in the southern U.S. there’s no shortage of delicious desserts to treat yourself to. These are the top 10 deserts that many would consider a staple of the south.
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Back when meals were regularly cooked in a skillet over an open fire the pineapple upside-down cake was born. These cakes are known for being cooked in a pan then flipped over and topped with butter, brown sugar, pineapple and cherries.
- Chess Pie
Made with anything they could find in their pantry, chess pie is an old southern recipe known for its extremely sweet flavor and very simple recipe. All you need is just butter, sugar, and eggs.
- Lemon Bars
A popular treat at baby showers and other lunch-like occasions, lemon bars are a deliciously tart and sweet combination. They usually consist of a lemon crude filling baked on a shortbread crust and are the perfect platter-ready snack.
- King Cake
Known for its association with Mardi Gras, king cake is a unique dish with much historical presence. The eating of a king cake represents the story of the three kings who brought gifts to the baby Jesus and many of the cakes were baked with a toy baby inside of them. The idea is that whoever gets the slice with the baby they are the king. King Cake is traditionally made with cinnamon and cream cheese icing with the optional addition of varied fruits and nuts.
- Pecan Pie
A trademark of desserts in the south, the pecan pie is another relatively simple dessert that consists of eggs, sugar, and butter, all caramelized into the crust with a healthy serving of chopped pecans. According to legends, the pecan pie was first made by the French settlers of New Orleans with pecans given to them by the local native tribes.
- Mississippi Mud Pie
Similar in appearance to the banks of the Mississippi River, Mississippi Mud Pie is a multiple-layered chocolate cake often made with chocolate sauce, brownie, chocolate custard, and a chocolate crust and sometimes is even served with ice cream.
- Sweet Potato Pie
Often associated with Thanksgiving, sweet potato pie is a delicious southern alternative to pumpkin pie. These pies can be made with or without a top but all have a healthy serving of sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, and spices that is sure to please on any occasion.
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
For those who love a sweet and salty treat, strawberry pretzel salad is a delicious and unique snack that incorporates pretzels, cream cheese, strawberries, and sugar. The idea for dishes like strawberry pretzel salad may have originated from the rationing that took place after WWII.
- Banana Pudding
Perfect for a midnight snack, banana pudding is the ultimate example of simply southern. All it takes is some bananas, pudding, and vanilla wafers.
- Key Lime Pie
Out of all the southern deserts, nothing compares to the rich and creamy combination that is key lime pie. Originating in Key West Florida, key lime pie is a staple of the southern desert made of sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and egg yolks. Key lime pie is considered to be one of the best pies in the eternity of America.
