These Global Favorites are Among the Most Popular Desserts to Come Out of America

America is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, which is also reflected in its culinary heritage. Here are their best desserts for you to try and recreate at home.

The United States is a nation rich in diversity, with people from all over the world bringing their cultures and cuisines to it. This makes it tricky to define what's considered “American culture”.

However, while many dishes may have origins in other cultures, the US has, over time, adapted them and made them its own. So here we look at some quintessentially American desserts—from apple pies, to donuts and cakes.

Apple Pie

Recognized as an American classic and loved the world over, apple pies are often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and are normally present during the 4th of July and Thanksgiving celebrations. Although the dish has British origins, the Americans have altered it and customized it, making it their own. In fact, they became so intrinsically American that by the time of the Second World War, soldiers would often say that they were “fighting for mom and for apple pie”. The phrase essentially refers to core American values and characteristics—so ingrained is the dessert in American hearts!

Donuts

Donuts are another American classic. They come in two varieties—ring and filled. They’re often treated as snacks as much as desserts, and come in several flavors and varieties. Although it's the Dutch settlers who brought donuts to the Americas, locals quickly adapted it to their tastes and understanding. During the First World War, a group of women emerged, called the “Donut Lassies,” who made donuts for the men fighting on the frontlines, marking the importance of the dish in modern American culture. Today, they're a beloved dessert all over the world, and this popularity can be ascribed to the US.

Cheesecake

Although the concept of cheesecakes has been around since ancient Greece, it's as recently as the 1930s that the cheesecake got its modern look and feel. This is because, around that time, it was the Americans who introduced cream cheese, fundamentally altering the look and feel of cheesecakes. Today, there are different varieties, like the New York Cheesecake, the Philadelphia cheesecake, and more. The creamy middle and crunchy graham cracker-crusted dessert has global appeal today, and the world only has Americans to thank for it.

Sundae

Sundaes originated from the simple concept of a bowl of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce. But the elaborate creations we are used to seeing today can be attributed to the Americans and their culinary inventiveness. Today, a sundae consists of multiple scoops of ice cream, often in different flavors, topped with chocolate, caramel or other sauces and garnished with a variety of toppings like chopped nuts, whipped cream, fresh fruits, and more. It's an indulgent, elaborate dessert, and ever present at most ice cream parlors across the country.

S'mores

Ideally consumed around a campfire, s’mores are a delectable dessert. Essentially, roasted marshmallows and slices of chocolate are sandwiched between graham crackers, leading to a bite sized dessert that's full of various textures and flavors. Now, they’re also popular during festivals like Halloween and Christmas, but are available year round. It is popularly believed that the name is a short form of the phrase ‘some more’, attesting to their addictive quality. Although its origins are unknown, it is a popular dessert in America.

Brownies

Originating in the early 20th century, brownies are one of those desserts that have been created by an American, with not much debate about the cultural origins of the dish. They’re as American as a dish can get. These little squares of delight come are traditionally made with chocolate but can also come in flavors like vanilla, called blondies, or red velvet, caramel and other inventive options. One will often find nuts like almonds or walnuts in the batter, and such nut brownies are especially famous. They're often served with a scoop of ice cream, contrasting the warmth of the brownie with the coolness of the ice cream.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are another surefire American dish, invented by Ruth Wakefield in the 1930s. Gooey and chewy, warm and fresh, they are found in the arsenal of most American home bakers today. While traditionally enjoyed with a glass of warm milk, in recent times there’s also inventions like ice cream sandwiches, where the ice cream is sandwiched between two cookies.