12 Sweet North Carolina Treats That Aren’t Banana Pudding
In North Carolina, banana pudding has long reigned as the ultimate dessert, but it’s far from the only sweet worth savoring.
Across the state, bakers and candy makers have crafted indulgences that shine just as brightly, from old-fashioned candies to bakery staples with deep local roots.
These treats capture the flavors of Southern tradition while offering something refreshingly different.
If you thought banana pudding was the star of the show, these other delights are ready to change your mind.
1. Moravian Sugar Cake
Imagine the best cinnamon roll you’ve ever had, but in cake form. That’s Moravian Sugar Cake, a specialty from Winston-Salem’s historic Moravian settlers who brought this recipe from Europe in the 1700s.
The yeast-raised dough gets poked with finger indentations that hold pools of melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Best enjoyed warm from the oven, this breakfast treat remains a Christmas morning tradition for many North Carolina families.
2. Moravian Cookies
Paper-thin and crisp enough to shatter at first bite, these spice cookies pack more flavor than seems physically possible.
Winston-Salem’s Moravian bakers have been crafting these delicate treats since the 18th century.
Traditionally flavored with ginger and molasses, modern varieties include everything from lemon to chocolate.
A single batch can yield hundreds of cookies, making them perfect for sharing during holidays. Some local bakeries still roll the dough using century-old methods to achieve their signature thinness.
3. Atlantic Beach Pie
Salty-sweet heaven awaits in this coastal creation featuring a saltine cracker crust filled with tangy citrus custard.
Once known as “Lemon Pie,” this refreshing dessert was born from the old beach tradition that warned against eating dairy after seafood.
The contrast between the salty, crumbly crust and the bright lemon filling creates an addictive combination. A dollop of whipped cream balances the tartness.
The pie gained national attention when food writer Bill Smith shared his grandmother’s recipe, launching it beyond the Outer Banks into culinary stardom.
4. Surry County Sonker
Part cobbler, part deep-dish pie, this rustic fruit dessert originated with Surry County’s early settlers who needed to stretch fruit harvests. The name “sonker” remains a delicious mystery that’s unique to this corner of North Carolina.
Traditionally made with whatever fruit was in season, blackberries, peaches, sweet potatoes, or apples, and served in a deep dish with a pourable crust.
The dessert gets topped with “dip,” a sweet milk sauce that soaks into the warm fruit mixture. Every family claims their recipe is the authentic one!
5. Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnut
Born in Winston-Salem in 1937, these pillowy rings of perfection have inspired cult-like devotion across the globe.
The magic happens when hot doughnuts pass under the glaze waterfall, creating that signature sweet shell that crackles between your teeth.
Nothing beats watching them being made through the glass windows while waiting for the “Hot Now” sign to light up.
Vernon Rudolph started with a secret yeast-raised recipe he bought from a New Orleans chef. Today, North Carolinians still proudly claim these doughnuts as their sweet contribution to the world.
6. Cheerwine Float
Cherry-red bubbles meet creamy vanilla ice cream in this fizzy treat born in Salisbury. Cheerwine soda, a North Carolina staple since 1917, provides the distinctive wild cherry flavor that makes this float unique.
The combination creates a frothy, pink concoction that tastes like summer in a glass. Local ice cream shops often feature it as their signature float.
Despite the name, there’s no wine involved, but the deep burgundy color and effervescence earned this beloved soda its distinctive moniker that’s been confusing out-of-state visitors for generations.
7. Scuppernong Wine Cake
Golden and fragrant, this boozy pound cake celebrates North Carolina’s state fruit, the scuppernong grape.
These bronze-green muscadines grow wild throughout the state and have been transformed into sweet wine since the first colonies.
The cake incorporates scuppernong wine into both batter and glaze, creating a moist texture with subtle fruity notes. Some bakers add crushed grapes for extra flavor and texture.
September harvest festivals often feature this cake alongside fresh scuppernongs, celebrating North Carolina’s distinction as home to the oldest cultivated grapevine in America.
8. Persimmon Pudding
Fall brings ripe persimmons dropping from trees across North Carolina, signaling it’s time for this spiced, steamed pudding.
Unlike its English counterparts, this Southern version resembles a dense, moist cake made with pulp from native American persimmons.
The fruit must be fully ripe, soft and almost translucent, or the pudding will pucker your mouth with astringent tannins.
Traditionally steamed for hours, modern recipes adapt to oven-baking. Served warm with a dollop of whipped cream, this dessert captures autumn’s essence in every spoonful.
9. Sweet Potato Pie
Velvety smooth with warm spices, this pie showcases North Carolina’s agricultural pride, the humble sweet potato.
The state leads the nation in sweet potato production, making this dessert both delicious and patriotic for locals.
Similar to pumpkin pie but with deeper flavor and natural sweetness, this custard-like filling nestles in a flaky crust.
Many family recipes include secret ingredients like orange zest or bourbon. Holiday tables across the state wouldn’t be complete without this pie, which some claim tastes even better the day after.
10. Outer Banks Saltwater Taffy
Stretchy, chewy nostalgia wrapped in wax paper, this coastal candy has been a beach vacation souvenir for generations.
Legend claims saltwater taffy was born when a candy shop flooded, soaking regular taffy in seawater.
While that story is dubious, the connection to beach towns remains strong. Watching the taffy-pulling machines hypnotizes tourists as they select from dozens of flavors.
The salt air seems to enhance the experience of unwrapping these colorful twists while walking the boardwalk with sand between your toes.
11. Apple Stack Cake
Thin layers of spiced cake alternating with dried apple filling create this rustic Appalachian masterpiece.
Mountain families would each contribute a single layer to wedding celebrations, literally stacking their contributions into a community-made dessert.
The cake improves with age as the moisture from the cooked apples softens the firm layers. Traditional recipes use sorghum molasses in the batter for distinct flavor.
Heirloom apple varieties from North Carolina mountain orchards provide the authentic taste that’s been passed down through generations of skilled bakers.
12. Tar Heel Pie
Fudgy, nutty, and decadent, this chocolate chess pie variation got its nickname from the state itself.
The gooey filling resembles thick, dark tar, a playful nod to North Carolina’s “Tar Heel” moniker that dates back to Colonial days.
Studded with chocolate chips and pecans, the filling develops a crackly top while remaining molten inside. Some bakers add a splash of bourbon for complexity.
Served warm with vanilla ice cream, this pie represents the perfect marriage of Southern chess pie tradition with chocolate lover’s indulgence.