As Americans, we are serious about our sweets.
Whetherdessertsare chocolatey or fruity, simple or decadent, our country loves sugar in almost any form.
But what are the most iconic desserts the United States has to offer?
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Here are a few of the sweets that are popular across the land, from sea to shining sea.
Just don’t be surprised if you have a hankering for a baked treat after reading this scrumptious list.
Chocolate chip cookies
No cookie is more American than a chocolate chip cookie.
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With very little variety, this recipe has remained basically the same since the 1930s.
But one thing is certain: You have Ruth Wakefield to thank for the simple, delicious treat.
A quick substitution was made with some Nestle’s semi-sweet chocolate that she had on hand in her kitchen.
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She expected it to mix into the dough, but instead, it stayed suspended in the sweet batter.
After locals and guests sampled the “Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookie,” it grew in reputation.
Stuffed with apples, this dessert can be served hot and topped with creamy, cold vanilla ice cream.
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But was apple pie really an American dessert?
And asSmithsonianpointed out, the oldest-known apple pie recipe comes from 14th-century England, too.
The easy way to make healthier comfort foods.
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Cheesecake’s crust is either a cookie crumb mix, pastry, or a buttery graham cracker bed.
Dense or fluffy, it can be topped with fruit, nuts, cookies, or syrups.
If you want a traditionalNew York cheesecake slice, try a piece of cheesecake topped with strawberries or cherries.
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Alternatively, there are also no-bake cheesecakes that are extra easy to make.
Not sure where to start?
Check out these20 Delicious Cheesecake Recipes.
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Pecan pie
If you appreciate sugar and nuts, chances are you will like a pecan pie.
As McWilliams explains, Callie Williams worked six days a week, baking pies at the Magnolia Room.
Over the course of 1948, Williams baked a whopping 28,960 pies for the restaurant’s guests.
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Most pecan pie recipes today are based on theKaro Syrup versionprinted on the bottle.
Still, the official origin of carrot cake is unknown.
However it came about, though, it’s a recognizable part of any cake spread.
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Bakers and tasters have strong opinions about carrot cake add-ins, like coconut, ginger, or nuts.
Instead, carrot cake brings more caramel and spice comfort to the palate.
Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!
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Ready to get your cone on?
Check out thebest ice cream shops in every state.
The first version of Boston cream pie used sponge cake filled with custard and drizzled with chocolate icing.
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If you’re interested in the original version, the Omni Parker House deliversBoston cream pieacross the country.
Banana pudding isn’t the easiest dessert to create, and cooks can be tempted to cut corners.
But to truly appreciate the depth of flavor and texture, using the originalbanana pudding recipeis best.
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The classic Baked Alaska is still on theDelmonico’s dessert menutoday.
And for more nostalgic treats, don’t miss these15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
Buckeyes
The Ohio legislature adopted theOhio Buckeye as its state treein 1953.
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Residents of Ohio referred to themselves as Buckeyes as early as the 1840s.
Gail recreated the recipe, but she didn’t cover the peanut butter entirely.
The visible portion of peanut butter looked like the nut from a buckeye tree.
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And from that day forward, Gail made the candy for tailgating crowds.
It became a tradition for Ohio State’s most devoted fans.
It is a rich custard in a buttery pie crust, dusted thickly with powdered nutmeg.
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The filling is whisked together, occasionally cooked on the stovetop, and added to the crust to bake.
Stirring while the pie is baking keeps it from rising and results in a thick, creamy interior.
Everyone has their own favorite way of roasting marshmallows.
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Therich ingredient listresults in a special and different bang out of cake creation.
Half dessert and half experience, Bananas Foster features flaming banana liqueur or rum.
German immigrants created the cookie, which is actually more like a cake.
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After baking, the cookies are topped with one side of vanilla icing and one side of chocolate icing.
And if you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss these34 Healthy Cookie Recipes.
The popularity of rolled cakes took off in America in the 1800s.
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Swiss rolls roots are European, but not necessarily Swiss, but the title has lived on.
When cut into slices, the dessert has a gorgeous spiral pattern.
And while they may look similar, shave ice is much different from a snowcone.
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A snow cone has harder pieces of ice, while shave ice is more delicate, like snow.
Mamoru Matsumoto immigrated to Hawaii with his brother from Hiroshima.
Tourists and locals alike came to enjoy the treat.
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Coca-Cola cake
The South loves its Coke.
Cooks have added it to the most unexpected placesin stews, over hams, and even inCoca-Cola cake.
Rich chocolate icing is poured over the top, filling in the cracks and crevices.
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Coca-Cola cakehas graced tables in the United States since the 1950s, and it’s still popular today.
The desserts went national when Day suggested the Camp Fire Girls sell the treats as a fundraiser.
The recipe was officially added to the cereal boxes in 1941.
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Pumpkin pie
Thanksgiving just isn’t the same without pumpkin pie.
Native Americans brought pumpkins as gifts to the first residents of the European settlement to help prevent scurvy.
Red velvet cake
There seem to be some differences of opinion about the origins ofred velvet cake.
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The Adams Extract Company and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York both claim to have invented the cake.
Regardless, red velvet cake rose in prominence during the mid-1900s in the United States.
The cake itself is airy and smooth, with the cocoa adding to the batter without overpowering it.
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It’s topped with buttery and rich cream cheese icing.
People rush past, carrying plates of squiggly fried dough, dusted with a coating of powdered sugar.
In no time, you’ll find yourself in line, anxious to sample the airy confection.
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Legend has it that German immigrants called thePennsylvania Dutch brought funnel caketo the United States.
Lady Baltimore cake
Lady Baltimore Cake is a favorite choice for weddings.
The additions to the icing, nuts, and dried or candied fruits make Lady Baltimore Cake unique.
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Either way, its roots are decidedly Southern.
Pralines
Brown sugar butter and cream with pecans come together to make this burnt sugar candy.
Careful of yourpraline pronunciation, though.
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Purists in New Orleans pronounce this candy “prah-lean” not “pray-lean.”
The top is dusted with confectioners' sugar.
Recipes use real lemon juice and lemon zest, and they seem to be inspired by lemon meringue pie.
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And for more iconic foods, don’t miss these35 Southern Dishes Your Grandparents Used to Make.
And biscuit dough, usually sweetened, is “dropped” on the top of the fruit.
Serve the peach cobbler with ice cream, and you’ve got the perfect summer dessert.
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The cake became popular for its simplicity and beauty, and it’s not hard to see why.
The sleeves of chocolate wafers are sandwiched with fluffy sweetened and vanilla-flavored whipped cream.
The dessert comes together quickly, and there’s no need to use the oven.
Donuts
Donuts' roots in the United States came from Dutch settlers in New York.
Coming back from the war, they craved the doughnuts.
In the late 1930s, Krispy Kreme also started its march across the Southern parts of the country.
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Gooey butter cake
Gooey butter cakeis sweet, incredibly sweet.
The interior ended up, well, gooey.
The cake was delicious, and he quickly explored the recipe, going into production in his bakery.
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However it originated, this is one delicious treat.
Want to whip up something a little simpler?
you could’t go wrong withThe Most Basic Cake Recipe Ever.
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Fudge is supposedly another of the culinary errors that resulted in something delicious.
After the original ingredients have melted, additions like nuts or vanilla can be added.
The fudge is then spread into a baking dish.
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It typically sets in about two hours and can be cut into squares for sharing.
Fudge is usually found in chocolate varieties, but there are also fudge flavors like peanut butter or vanilla.
Strickler didn’t know how famous his invention would be, but it’s become a beloved American treat.
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Latrobe also hosts theGreat American Banana Split Celebrationin August.
Jell-O
Jell-O was invented in the late 1800s, but it really took off around 1900.
There were a few factors for its growth in popularity.
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Sour cream pound cake
The firstpound cakeskept it simple.
The problem was that the cake was huge in these quantities, so techniques began to change.
This debate has yet to be decided on the origins of lime-infused pie with the graham cracker crust.
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The cherry filling is poured into the pie crust, and it’s baked until bubbly.
Seven-layer bars
Seven-layer barshaveyou guessed itseven layers.
Coconut cake hasn’t just been popular in modern times, either.
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PoetEmily Dickinson had her own coconut cake recipe, too.
Brownies
The first brownie was made by an unnamed chef at thePalmer House Hotelin Chicago.
They are almost opposites, though, as blondies don’t contain any chocolate flavor.
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A version of the ice cream sundae has a blondie, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce.
Thewhoopie pie’s roots are Amish.
When they saw that they had the sweet treat, the children would shout, “Whoopie.”
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These 42 desserts have stood the test of time across the country.
So it’s no wonder they’re the most iconic desserts in the United States.
The only question now is which one you’ll want to eat first.
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