Unearth The Voyage
Washington State grows some of America’s best apples, and fall brings out the most amazing desserts using these crisp, sweet fruits. From warm donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar to flaky pies bursting with orchard-fresh flavor, these treats capture everything we love about autumn. Local bakeries and farms across the state create desserts that make your kitchen smell like happiness and taste like pure comfort.
1. Apple Cider Donuts at Lattin’s Country Cider Mill & Farm
Golden rings of pure autumn magic wait for you at this beloved Olympia destination that’s been perfecting their craft since 1972. Fresh-pressed apple cider gets transformed into cake-style donuts that emerge warm from the fryer, immediately rolled in cinnamon sugar that sticks to every delicious curve.
Morning visits offer the best experience when steam still rises from each donut and the sweet aroma fills the crisp fall air. The texture strikes that perfect balance between tender cake and satisfying chew.
Pair your donuts with a cup of their famous apple cider for the ultimate Washington autumn experience.
2. Fresh Apple Pies at Whidbey Pies Café
Nestled among the apple trees at Greenbank Farm on Whidbey Island, this charming café creates pies that taste like they came straight from grandma’s kitchen. Washington-grown apples get nestled into handmade flaky crusts with just enough cinnamon and spice to make your taste buds dance.
The orchard setting makes every bite taste even better as you watch the same trees that provided your pie’s filling sway in the island breeze. Each slice reveals tender apple pieces that hold their shape beautifully.
The buttery crust crumbles perfectly on your fork, creating the ideal apple-to-pastry ratio in every single bite.
3. Apple Crisps from Dahlia Bakery
Tom Douglas’s Seattle bakery elevates the humble apple crisp into something extraordinary that makes fall feel like a celebration. Warm, tender apples get crowned with caramelized oat streusel that provides the most satisfying crunch against the soft fruit below.
The magic happens when you add their house-made vanilla bean ice cream, creating temperature and texture contrasts that make each spoonful absolutely perfect. Real vanilla beans create tiny black specks that prove this isn’t ordinary ice cream.
Urban sophistication meets farmhouse comfort in this dessert that captures both Seattle’s culinary creativity and Washington’s agricultural bounty in one memorable dish.
4. French Apple Pie from A la Mode Pies
Granny Smith apples from Washington orchards meet French pastry techniques in this Seattle area favorite that redefines what apple pie can become. The buttery crumb topping provides textural interest that traditional lattice crusts simply cannot match, creating little pockets of sweet, spiced perfection.
Each slice reveals layers of carefully spiced apples that maintain just enough tartness to balance the sweet crumb topping. The filling never turns mushy, thanks to careful apple selection and expert baking techniques.
This isn’t your typical American apple pie, but rather a sophisticated take that honors both Washington’s apple heritage and French culinary traditions.
