The Most Popular Dessert in Iowa, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the dessert you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:35
Choosing a favorite dessert can be a delightful dilemma, especially in a place like Iowa where the options are as rich as the state's agricultural heritage. By ranking these sweet treats, we gain insights into local preferences that can guide newcomers and delight residents. It's an engaging way of assessing what tickles the palate in this part of the world.
The value of such a ranking doesn’t just end at curiosity. It offers a unique perspective on regional culture, leaning into the traditions and innovations that define Iowa's culinary scene. As people vote for their preferred desserts, they contribute to a dynamic, community-driven list that highlights the state’s gastronomic identity.
What Is the Most Popular Dessert in Iowa?
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181votes
Dutch Letters
Dutch settlers in Pella, IowaA flaky, almond pastry that is a staple in Iowa's Dutch community. They are made with puff pastry and an almond paste filling, shaped into the letter "S."Dutch Letters are a popular dessert in Iowa that originated from the Dutch culture. They are pastries in the shape of the letter 'S', filled with almond paste and baked until golden brown. The pastry is flaky and buttery, while the almond filling provides a sweet and nutty flavor. Dutch Letters are often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea as a delightful treat.- Shape: Letter 'S'
- Filling: Almond paste
- Texture: Flaky and buttery
- Flavor: Sweet and nutty
- Origin: Dutch settlers in Pella, Iowa
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211votes
Jonathunder · GFDL 1.2Rhubarb grows well in the Iowa climate, making rhubarb pie a popular dessert. It is typically made with a sweetened rhubarb filling and a flaky crust.Rhubarb pie is a classic dessert that originated in Iowa and has become one of the most popular desserts in the state. It features a flaky and buttery crust filled with a sweet and tangy filling made from fresh rhubarb stalks.- Texture: Flaky crust with a soft and tender filling.
- Preparation Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
- Baking Time: Around 45 minutes to an hour.
- Ingredients: Rhubarb, sugar, flour, butter, and pie crust.
- Taste: Sweet and tangy.
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335votesCherries also grow well in Iowa, making cherry pie a popular dessert.Cherry pie is a classic dessert that features a filling made primarily of sweet cherries encased in a flaky pastry crust. It is commonly enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cherry filling has a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, making it a popular choice among pie lovers.
- Filling: Sweet cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and sometimes spices like cinnamon or almond extract.
- Pastry Crust: Flour, butter, salt, and water, mixed to a dough consistency.
- Pie Size: Cherry pies are typically made in a 9-inch (23 cm) pie dish.
- Baking Time: Cherry pies usually require around 45-60 minutes of baking time.
- Topping: Cherry pies can be served plain or with a lattice or crumb topping.
Cherry Pie in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular food in Nebraska
- Position 7 of 10 in Most difficult pie to make
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular Christmas pie
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular food in Wyoming
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428votes
Nono vlf · CC BY-SA 3.0Iowa is known for its blueberry farms, and blueberry pie is a popular dessert during the summer months.Blueberry pie is a classic dessert that is immensely popular in Iowa. It is a delicious pie made with a sweet and tangy filling predominantly consisting of blueberries. The crust is typically flaky, buttery, and acts as a perfect complement to the fruity filling. Blueberry pie is often served warm or at room temperature and is enjoyed on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.- Main ingredient: Blueberries
- Crust: Flaky and buttery
- Flavor: Sweet and tangy
- Serving temperature: Warm or room temperature
- Accompaniment: Vanilla ice cream
Blueberry Pie in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular pie at Marie Callender's
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516votesPecan pie is a classic dessert that is enjoyed in Iowa. It is made with a creamy, sweet filling and crunchy pecans.Pecan pie is a rich, indulgent dessert made with a sweet, gooey filling that is primarily composed of pecans. The filling is typically made with a mixture of eggs, sugar, butter, and corn syrup, creating a luscious and caramel-like consistency. It is then poured into a flaky, buttery pastry crust and baked until the filling sets and the crust becomes golden brown.
- Main Ingredient: Pecans
- Filling: Sweet, gooey mixture of eggs, sugar, butter, and corn syrup
- Crust: Flaky, buttery pastry crust
- Baking Time: Approximately 50-60 minutes
- Serving Temperature: Best served at room temperature or slightly warmed
Pecan Pie in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular pie at Marie Callender's
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Christmas pie
- Position 5 of 10 in Most difficult pie to make
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular pie in South Africa
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66votesApples are abundant in Iowa, making apple pie a popular dessert. It is typically made with a cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a flaky crust.Apple pie is a classic dessert in America, loved for its warm and comforting flavors. It typically consists of a flaky pie crust filled with a sweet and tart apple filling. The filling is made by combining sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes other spices or flavorings. The pie is typically baked until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender. It is often served warm and can be enjoyed plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Crust: Flaky pie crust
- Filling: Sweet and tart apple filling
- Ingredients: Apples, sugar, cinnamon, spices/flavorings
- Baking: Baked until golden brown crust and tender apples
- Serving: Often served warm
Apple Pie in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most beloved dessert in America
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular pie at Marie Callender's
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Christmas pie
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular pie in South Africa
- Position 10 of 10 in Most beloved Thanksgiving food
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular food in Kansas
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79votes
Peachyeung316 · CC BY-SA 4.0Ice cream is a popular dessert in Iowa, especially during the summer months. There are many ice cream shops throughout the state that offer unique flavors.Ice cream is a popular frozen dessert enjoyed by people of all ages in America. It is made from a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, and various flavorings, often including fruits, chocolate, nuts, or candies. The mixture is churned to incorporate air, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. Ice cream can be served in various forms, including cones, cups, or as a topping for other desserts. It is typically enjoyed cold and is known for its refreshing and indulgent nature.- Ingredients: Milk, cream, sugar, flavorings
- Texture: Smooth and creamy
- Serving Form: Cones, cups, or as a topping
- Temperature: Served cold
- Variety of Flavors: Numerous flavors available, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, and more
Ice Cream in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular comfort food
- Position 5 of 10 in Most beloved dessert in America
- Position 8 of 10 in Most beloved food in America
- Position 9 of 10 in Most delicious snack
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87votes
SimonJamesKent · CC BY-SA 3.0Chocolate cake is a classic dessert that is enjoyed in Iowa. It is typically made with a rich chocolate cake and a creamy chocolate frosting.Chocolate Cake is a rich and decadent cake made with layers of moist chocolate sponge cake and creamy chocolate frosting. It is a classic dessert that has been enjoyed for generations.- Type: Dessert
- Flavor: Chocolate
- Texture: Moist
- Layers: Multiple
- Frosting: Creamy chocolate
Chocolate Cake in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most beloved cake
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular recipe on the Internet
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95votesCheesecake is a popular dessert in Iowa. It is typically made with a graham cracker crust and a creamy, sweet filling.Cheesecake is a rich and creamy dessert made with a crust at the bottom and a smooth, velvety filling made primarily from cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. The crust is usually made from crushed graham crackers or biscuit crumbs mixed with melted butter. The filling is then poured over the crust and baked until set. Cheesecake is known for its luscious texture and indulgent taste, with variations that can include fruit, chocolate, or caramel toppings.
- Crust Base: Graham crackers or biscuit crumbs mixed with melted butter
- Filling: Cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract
- Texture: Smooth and velvety
- Toppings: Variations include fruit, chocolate, or caramel toppings
- Baking: Baked until set
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104votesBrownies are a popular dessert in Iowa. They are typically made with a rich chocolate batter and can be topped with nuts or frosting.Brownies are a popular chocolate dessert in America that are often enjoyed as a sweet treat or indulgence. They are typically square-shaped and have a rich, fudgy texture. Brownies are made using ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and chocolate or cocoa powder. They can be customized with various additions such as nuts, chocolate chips, or even frosting. These delicious treats are often served warm or at room temperature. Brownies are enjoyed by people of all ages and are often served at celebrations or as a comforting dessert.
- Texture: Fudgy
- Shape: Square
- Main Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, chocolate/cocoa powder
- Optional Additions: Nuts, chocolate chips, frosting
- Serving Temperature: Warm or room temperature
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular dessert
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Local ingredients and specialtiesConsider ingredients and flavors that are characteristic to Iowa, such as locally sourced fruits, corn, or dairy products. Traditional Iowan desserts or dishes that have been adapted into desserts may also be more popular.
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Cultural influencesIowa's cultural heritage, including the influence of its early settlers and diverse immigrant communities, may affect the popularity of certain desserts.
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SeasonalityThe availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients can influence the popularity of specific desserts in Iowa. For instance, desserts made with fresh, local strawberries may be more popular during the summer months.
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Event-specific or holiday-related popularityCertain desserts might be especially popular during specific events, festivals, or holidays in Iowa, such as the Iowa State Fair, local county fairs, or popular dessert-centered gatherings.
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Iconic restaurants and bakeriesPopular and iconic Iowa restaurants, bakeries, and dessert shops may be known for specific desserts that are especially beloved by locals.
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Social media and online trendsThe popularity of specific desserts can be influenced by social media influencers, food bloggers, or online recipes that gain traction among Iowans.
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Public opinion polls and surveysConsider any available data, polls, or surveys on popular desserts in Iowa that provide insights from the local population.
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Regional variationsDifferent desserts might be more popular in specific regions within Iowa due to local tastes and preferences.
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Health-conscious trendsAs more people become health-conscious and aware of their food choices, the popularity of certain desserts may shift towards healthier or alternative options.
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Nostalgia and traditionDesserts that evoke a sense of nostalgia, tradition, or comfort among Iowans may rank higher in popularity due to their emotional appeal.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular dessert in Iowa. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dessert is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2680 views
- 201 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dessert once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dessert is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular dessert in iowa
Iowa is known for its fertile farmland that produces some of the best crops in the country. With such an abundance of fresh ingredients, it's no surprise that Iowans have a sweet tooth for desserts. From classic pies to decadent cakes, there are plenty of options to satisfy any dessert craving. But what dessert reigns supreme in Iowa? We've conducted a poll to find out which sweet treat takes the cake as the most popular dessert in the Hawkeye State. Read on to discover the results and the top contenders in the race for Iowa's favorite dessert.
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