Hummingbird Cake
This impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It also makes a great Easter dessert and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Iva’s Peach Cobbler
My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
Southern Bourbon Pecan Pie
When I first made the original recipe for this bourbon-splashed pie, I added some vanilla extract and eliminated the flour. We loved the result. —Paul Falduto, Efland, North Carolina
Down South Sweet Tea Cake
I think this recipe combines two of the best and most famous ingredients from the South: sweet tea and pecans! Using a cake mix simplifies prep and helps ease the holiday time crunch. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Mississippi Mud Cake
Make this tempting cake and you’ll satisfy kids of all ages! A fudgy brownie-like base is topped with marshmallow creme and a nutty frosting. Your family will be very merry when you serve up big slices with glasses of cold milk or steaming mugs of coffee.
Georgia Peach Ice Cream
My state is well known for growing good peaches. This delicious recipe has been a family favorite for more than 50 years. —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Key Lime Pie
We created this refreshing mini pie with a homemade crumb crust and a pudding-like lime filling. If you can’t find key lime juice, regular lime juice works just fine. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bananas Foster Sundaes
I have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat. —Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina
Lemon Chess Pie with Berry Sauce
This is one of those old-fashioned Southern desserts that makes everyone feel good. The easy-as-pie berry sauce gives it color and a tantalizing tang. —April Heaton, Branson, Missouri
Butterscotch-Pecan Bread Pudding
Bread pudding fans just might hoard this yummy butterscotch version. Toppings like whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle make this dessert absolutely irresistible. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Banana Pudding
I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I first saw him at the airport last fall, I just grabbed hold of him and busted out crying. Back home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true Southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia
Southern Lane Cake
I just love this southern-style dessert, and so do dinner guests. With pecans, cherries and raisins in the filling and topping, this version reminds me of a fruitcake—only so much better! —Mabel Parvi, Ridgefield, Washington
Buttermilk Pie with Pecans
Branch out from the usual pecan pie with a creamy-crunchy version that comes out of the oven golden brown. Big slices are even better with a dollop of whipped cream.—Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri
Southern Peach Upside-Down Cake
A dear friend from the South gave me the idea for this peachy cake. I add bourbon and top each slice with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. —Trista Jefferson, Batavia, Ohio
Pineapple Orange Cake
This is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina
Frozen Peach Pies
A refreshing, peachy filling and a buttery graham cracker crust are the perfect pair. I’ve found that this pie can be frozen up to three days. —Athena M. Russell, Florence, South Carolina
Grits Pie
Simple, southern and scrumptious, this pie will be a definite hit even with people who dislike grits. It has the perfect custardy texture.—Victoria Hudson, Pickens, South Carolina
Buttermilk Peach Ice Cream
My mother’s family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Cola Cake with Strawberries & Cream
We Southerners have been eating cola cake for decades. This easy version has strawberries, too. Chill it in the fridge for a dreamy summer dessert. —Peggy Walpert, Fort Worth, Texas
Favorite Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Tart
I grew up in Louisiana where, as in most of the South, pecan pie is a staple. this tart variation is extra good because it includes chocolate. I decided to up the decadence even more by adding bourbon and drizzling some caramel on top. —Amber Needham, San Antonio, Texas
Mississippi Mud Pie
This southern favorite is one my family can never get enough of and there are never any leftovers. My grandmother, mother and aunts always made this recipe for family gatherings. Now I make it for everyone because it’s so easy to prepare and everyone loves it! —Elizabeth Williston, Thibodaux, Louisiana
Praline Sweet Potato Pie
Adding a pleasant crunch, praline crumbles contrast perfectly with the smooth sweet potato filling in this recipe. It’s a fun, festive update on a classic Southern dessert. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Florida Citrus Meringue Pie
Why limit a great dessert to just one kind of citrus fruit? Thanks to orange and lemon, this lovely pie packs a bold sweet-tart flavor! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
Buttermilk Pound Cake
Now that I’ve retired from teaching, I have more time to bake. This buttermilk cake is the one I make most often. It is a truly Southern recipe, and one I think can’t be topped—once people taste it, they won’t go back to their other recipes with buttermilk. —Gracie Hanchey, De Ridder, Louisiana
Southern Tea Cakes
There were nine children in our family and Mother had to stretch the budget, so she made these often for dessert. I loved them when I was a child, and they’re still a special treat. In fact, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like these cookies. They’re so simple and quick to make.
Creamy Pineapple Pie
Creamy Pineapple Pie is a light and refreshing dessert that’s quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Honey Pecan Pie
Looking for a sweet ending to a special meal? This attractive pecan pie is bound to please with its traditional filling and honey-glazed pecans. —Cathy Hudak, Wadsworth, Ohio
Billie’s Southern Sweet Potato Cake
I made sweet potato cakes for my kids when they were younger and they told me in their little voices, “Mommy, you’re the best baker.” Little did they know that was Mommy’s first attempt at homemade cake! —Billie Williams-Henderson, Bowie, Maryland
Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie
There is nothing I don’t love about this pie! I adore the flavors and I like that I can sneak in some whole grains into the crust. It belongs on every holiday dessert buffet. —Mary Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Bourbon-Kissed Pecan Pie
This rich pie is always on our Thanksgiving dessert table. Find more of my recipes on my blog, A Southern Grace.—Grace Mannon, Abingdon, Virginia
The post 30 Southern Desserts We’d Hop on a Plane For appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Racette Parulski