17 Southern Desserts That Made Sunday the Sweetest Day

Sundays in the South always ended with something sweet on the table—and not just any sweet. These 17 Southern desserts made the day feel complete, no matter what came before. Each one earned its place by showing up when it mattered most: right after dinner and just before the chairs got pushed back. If Sunday meant family, these recipes meant no one skipped dessert.

A slice of Hummingbird Cake with cream cheese frosting and pineapple chunks on top, placed on a decorative green and white plate. The Southern cake appears moist with visible nuts, and a fork is resting at the base. — Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits layers tender biscuits, macerated strawberries, and cream the way Southern desserts handled summer. The brown sugar in the biscuits brings just the right depth without overpowering the fruit. These Southern desserts knew how to end Sunday on a high note with something that felt both homemade and memorable. It’s the kind of dessert that made people save room before dinner even started.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake with Brown Sugar Biscuits

Spiced Pear Cobbler

Spiced Pear Cobbler combines soft, ripe pears with cinnamon and a simple drop biscuit crust that’s baked until golden. It reflects how Southern desserts often came from what was on hand and still turned into something worth sharing. These Southern desserts weren’t fancy, but they always brought people back for seconds. It’s the one that made quiet Sundays stretch out just a little longer.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Pear Cobbler

Butterscotch Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches

Butterscotch Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches brings together caramel notes and juicy fruit in a way that’s unmistakably Southern. The oat topping crisps up fast while the filling bubbles up sweet and sticky beneath. Southern desserts like this one didn’t rely on perfection—they relied on flavor and a hot oven. It’s the kind of dish that cleared the pan before the ice cream was even scooped.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

A stack of three lemon bars on a plate with more lemon bars in the background. — Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust bring a sharp, citrus bite layered over a sturdy, buttery base. The sweet-tart balance gave Southern desserts their signature snap without needing a fork and knife. These Southern desserts often showed up in squares, ready for church events and porch visits alike. It’s the one that left powdered sugar trails across every napkin.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pie came straight from the fridge with a smooth filling and graham cracker crust that made Sunday feel effortless. It’s one of those Southern desserts built for hot kitchens where the oven stayed off after noon. This dessert always earned its spot because it set fast, served cold, and vanished quickly. It’s the pie that never made it to Monday.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pie

Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie

A bite of pecan pie on a fork. — Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie keeps things honest with a rich, sticky filling and a crust that never slumped in the pan. The toasted pecans settle in with just enough chew, bringing that signature texture Southern desserts always nailed. These Southern desserts were passed around after Sunday dinner with zero complaints. It’s the one everyone recognized just by the smell.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie

Strawberry Trifle

Strawberry Trifle stacks cake, cream, and berries in a big glass bowl made for showing off. These Southern desserts knew how to serve a crowd without overcomplicating the steps. No baking meant more time to visit and less time spent in the heat. It’s the dessert that looked like effort and tasted like tradition.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Trifle

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Overhead view of apple pie with apples. — Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie bakes up with a woven crust and spiced apple filling that defines classic Southern desserts. The crust holds its shape while the apples soften just enough to sink your fork into. Southern desserts like this one never needed updating—they came out right the first time. It’s the pie that had someone sneaking a slice before dinner.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Grape Pie

Grape Pie takes Concord grapes and turns them into a thick, jammy filling that holds firm under a golden crust. It might have started elsewhere, but it earned its spot among Southern desserts with its bold flavor and sticky-sweet center. These Southern desserts always made an impression once they hit the table. It’s the pie that had folks asking what it was before the first bite and remembering it long after.
Get the Recipe: Grape Pie

Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Slice of coconut cream pie on white plate with pink tablecloth in background. — Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie layers creamy filling and crisp crust with toasted coconut that holds its own on any dessert table. These Southern desserts were built to chill, slice clean, and serve fast after a long Sunday meal. The filling stays firm, the topping stays crisp, and it all comes together like it always has. It’s the pie Grandma kept in the fridge with a note that said, “Don’t touch ‘til dinner’s done.”
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Butterscotch Pie

Butterscotch Pie delivers thick pudding filling and toasted meringue from just a few ingredients you likely already have. Southern desserts like this made it clear that pantry pies could steal the spotlight on any Sunday. The flavor runs deep without being heavy, and the crust keeps its crunch until the last slice. It’s the pie someone always pointed at before the first plate was passed.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Pie

Basil Peach Cobbler

Overhead of peach cobbler on baking sheet. — Basil Peach Cobbler. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Basil Peach Cobbler folds fresh peaches into a pan with just enough basil to keep things interesting but never overtake the fruit. These Southern desserts made the most of ripe produce and a topping that came together without measuring. It bakes up bubbly and sweet, ready to spoon straight from the dish while it’s still warm. It’s the one that made folks pause mid-sentence when the spoon hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Basil Peach Cobbler

Cherry Cobbler

Cherry Cobbler bakes up sticky and bold, with sweet fruit that bubbles under a golden topping you scoop instead of slice. These Southern desserts didn’t worry about looking perfect—they just had to be gone before sundown. The cherries cook down soft and rich, and the topping gets crisp without extra steps. It’s the one that stained the kitchen towels and still got made again the next week.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cobbler

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

A round pineapple upside-down cake topped with red cherries, displayed on a white plate. Pineapple and cherries in the background. — Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake flips out of the pan with glossy fruit slices and a sticky layer that bakes right into the crumb. These Southern desserts leaned on canned pineapple and a steady oven to get the job done without fail. The center stays soft while the edges hold their shape for slicing on the spot. It’s the one that made you check the fridge twice for leftovers later.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake cuts deep with a soft crumb and tangy cream cheese frosting that coats just thick enough to balance every slice. These Southern desserts brought buttermilk, cocoa, and just enough color to signal something special without going over the top. Every bite lands smooth and familiar, like a recipe passed down on paper yellowed at the edges. It’s the one that always had a place no matter what else was on the table.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!

Round cake with white icing drizzled on top, sitting on a wooden surface. Cake has a cracked texture on the sides and a hole in the center. — Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake bakes low and slow into a dense, rich cake that slices without crumbling and never dries out. These Southern desserts earned their place with nothing more than butter, sugar, and patience. The crust browns just enough to hold in the soft center that practically melts when it hits the plate. It’s the one that needed nothing but a knife and a quiet place to sit down.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Old Fashioned Recipe!

Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake

Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake mixes bananas, pineapple, and pecans into a soft crumb that bakes up moist without needing extra fuss. Topped with thick cream cheese frosting, it’s the kind of Southern dessert that showed up at church lunches and family tables alike. These Southern desserts didn’t need frosting flowers to be remembered—they just needed flavor. It’s the cake that disappeared so fast, you swore someone hid a second one.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Hummingbird Cake