Delicious desserts abound all across the southeastern United States. Today I invite you to come along with me as we consider a sampling of the most popular and luscious desserts. We will go alphabetically through the 13 states covered by Embrace Southern States. Are your taste buds ready for this totally tempting tour of desserts across the South?
No mud was disturbed and no possums were harmed in the creation of this post. Dang, y’all, let us know by your Comment when you figure out what this means! Here we go!
ALABAMA
The general consensus is that Alabama’s most iconic dessert is the Lane cake. The 22 ingredients include bourbon, coconut, raisins, and pecans. This writer has never had the patience to actually make one from scratch, but certainly loves the taste.
Another favorite is the humble pound cake. While it may appear plain, pound cake is easy to make and is moist and flavorful.
I discovered a new favorite in Florence, Alabama at the Odette restaurant https://www.odettealabama.com/. It is a strawberry-rhubarb cobbler with almond-oat crumble and topped with caramelized honey ice cream.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler, deliciously different!
ARKANSAS
Would you try Possum pie? It does not contain possum, but does have a creamy filling, chocolate, and whipped cream. This icebox pie is perfect for a scorching summer day.
The other top favorites in Arkansas are the super sweet pecan pie and the summer favorite watermelon pops.
FLORIDA
Key lime pie is number one in Florida, just ask anyone. But don’t ask them to explain how it is both tart and sweet.
Two of the most delightful contenders for second place are strawberry shortcake and, because Florida is known for oranges, orange crunch cake.
GEORGIA
One nickname for Georgia is “The Peach State” so perhaps it is only fitting that the favorite dessert is peach cobbler. The gooey goodness is best served hot with the option of an ice cream topping.
Another favorite is peanut butter pie.
I found a new favorite in Savannah, Georgia at Lizzy’s Burger Bar https://www.lizzysgrill.com/ . It is a boozy caramel milkshake spiked with Savannah’s own Ghost Coast Bourbon. Oh, so good.
KENTUCKY
The first choice in Kentucky is bourbon balls. These boozy little morsels are coated with semisweet chocolate.
Second place goes to blackberry cobbler and third place goes to fudge. This makes me want to spend more time in Kentucky.
LOUISIANA
Just saying the word beignet makes me happy. Knowing that these beloved little powdered doughnuts are the favorite in Louisiana… well, I’m ready to meet you at Café du Monde https://shop.cafedumonde.com/ anytime you’re buying!
The other two top desserts, bananas Foster and pralines, are also yummy beyond words.
MISSISSIPPI
The top two desserts across the South noted here are bread pudding and Mississippi mud pie. “Mud” in this case is a chocolate filling said to resemble mud by the banks of the Mississippi river.
Two other treats I enjoy are the sweet potato muffins from https://www.coffeehouseon5th.com/ Coffee House on 5th in Columbus and the crème brulee from The Chimneys in Gulfport https://www.chimneysrestaurant.com/ .
MISSOURI
The “Show Me” state loves cake and ice cream. Gooey butter cake comes in first and is closely followed by coconut cake.
The history of the ice cream “cornucopia” or cone may have several versions, but we know it took on a starring role in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. The ice cream cone never goes out of style, especially in Missouri.
NORTH CAROLINA
Sonker is comparable to cobbler and is so loved in Surry County, North Carolina that they celebrate a sonker festival every October.
Red velvet cake is another favorite that has several odd stories about how and why it got the red color and why it should be one of the desserts across the South.
A most tasty treat I enjoyed at Mash House in Fayetteville, North Carolina https://www.themashhouse.com/ is a butterscotch brownie with spiced rum caramel topped with coffee ice cream, yum.
SOUTH CAROLINA
There are too many choices with no clear favorite here. Top contenders include the Huguenot Torte (which is not really a torte) , benne wafers (made with sesame seeds), and sweet potato pie.
The best sweet treats I had on my most recent visit to Charleston https://lemacaron-us.com/locations/charleston/ were macarons from Le Macaron French Pastries on Meeting Street.
TENNESSEE
Classic banana pudding is a favorite in “The Volunteer State” that looks especially decadent when the peaks of fluffy meringue are slightly toasted.
Nashville’s Standard Candy Company created the Goo Goo Cluster back in 1912. It was the first combination candy bar which includes caramel, marshmallow, peanuts, and milk chocolate https://googoo.com/ .
Chattanooga Bakery really started something “outta-this-world” when they created Moon Pie back in 1917. This marshmallow marvel still thrills dessert lovers today https://moonpie.com/about .
VIRGINIA
The top two preferred desserts of Virginia are said to be chess pie and funnel cakes.
I must let you know about affogato. Have you ever heard of it? https://geraldsicecream.com/ Gerald’s Ice Cream in Virginia Beach has perfected the Italian treat by pouring espresso over ice cream and a very precisely prepared whipped cream. This sensory stimulation is sweet satisfaction.
WEST VIRGINIA
According to several sources, the top two desserts in West Virginia are molasses cookies and apple spice cake.
Another favorite is the banana split. Rumor has it that you can order one in the town of Fairmont that weighs in at nine pounds. Get several friends to help you with that one!
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So, there you have it! We have delved into the 13 southeastern states and uncovered a total of 41 unique and not-to-be-missed desserts across the South! Now I am so hungry!
PLEASE COMMENT ABOUT YOUR FAVORITES AND WHICH ONES YOU WISH TO TRY! Also, share this article with every dessert lover you know. They will thank you for it.
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I read about several of my favorite desserts in this blog post! Now I’m drooling.
Glad you enjoyed the dessert article, Cindy!
So many delicious options. I had the most amazing key lime pie at Blue Heaven in Key West and of course the beignets in New Orleans are awesome.
Key lime pie and beignets, definitely two of my favorites… in Florida or Louisiana… or anywhere! Thanks.
Strawberry rhubarb cobbler sounds like a great twist on a favorite!
Yes, it is deliciously different, thanks!
Many of the desserts sound amazing. I have tried Creme Brulee and Affogato, but I must admit that the Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler photo made me hungry!
YOU sound like a kindred spirit… an adventurous dessert lover! Thanks.
This Florida native is not a fan of Key Lime pie. So I’m saddened that my most favorite dessert is not a fave in any of the southern states. But guess that means more for me!
Some of these sounded delicious, but my favorite one I want to try is the beignets in Louisiana!
I’d love to be right there with you when you have those beignets! Now I’m really curious about your fave??!!
Yummy desserts, so inviting! I would love to have creme brulee and the Lane cake. That photo of Butterscotch brownie looks so yum. 🙂
Every dessert is a special reward to yourself! Thanks.
Ooooh so many fabulous desert options! I am a huge fan of key lime pie. I’d reeeally like the try the butterscotch brownie and the banana pudding as well.
Each one you named is awesome and unique….. hey, just like humans!! Glad you liked the yummy topic!