Desserts typically feature sweet ingredients that can balance the flavors of savory entrees and provide a satisfying end to meals. The next time you dine at a restaurant that serves Southern cuisine, you may wonder which sweets to order. Here are some of the most widely beloved and delectable desserts to enjoy at the end of your lunch or dinner. 

4 Mouthwatering Southern Desserts

1. Beignets

The N’Awlins renowned French donut, beignets put a unique spin on the concept of fried rings of dough. Popularized by 18th-century French colonists in New Orleans, a beignet is a rectangular ball of yeast dough that chefs deep-fry to a golden brown before smothering with powdered sugar. These confections are crispy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth on the inside, and have a decadently sweet finish. You can balance their sugariness by enjoying them with a cup of coffee.

2. Fruit Cobbler

Cobbler is one of the most recognizable and widely beloved Southern desserts. It often consists of peaches, blueberries, or apples mixed with sugar and sweet bread chunks. The dessert is topped with a cinnamon and spice crust and then baked until it becomes golden brown and crispy. This sweet treat is made even more satisfying at our restaurant served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which provides a delicious temperature and flavor contrast with the warm, fruity filling. 

3. Bread Pudding

Though it has origins in Europe, bread pudding is a mainstay on dessert menus in restaurants that serve Southern cuisine. It was invented as a way to use day-old bread and, thanks to its affordability and simplicity, has become one of the most popular sweets throughout the South. Mama's Bread Pudding features assorted sweet breads combined with cream, vanilla, and raisins, baked until golden brown. Chefs often cover it with caramel and vanilla sauces for extra sweetness and a creamy finish. 

4. Key Lime Pie

Hailing from Key West, Florida, this pie is a popular dessert in restaurants throughout the South. It features a yellow custard made with egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh authentic key lime juice, poured into a graham cracker crust and baked until the filling sets and turns slightly golden on top. This creamy and tart pie can provide a refreshing zing that cleanses the palate after eating seafood or Cajun food.

When you're in the mood for these desserts or other delicious options, dine at Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill for Southern cuisine. This restaurant is known for its seafood with a Cajun flair, and they have locations in Creve Coeur, MO, and Edwardsville, IL and soon to be the newest location in St Peters. Call (618) 650-9109 to place an order for delivery, and visit the website for their dessert menu.