Iconic Desserts From Every State You Must Try

The iconic Alabama white sponge cake filled with raisins or coconut was the creation of Emma Rylander Lane from Clayton, Alabama. Lane published the cake’s recipe in her cookbook, “A Few Good Things to Eat,” in 1898.

The name of this igloo-shaped dessert consisting of cake and ice cream topped with browned meringue was inspired by Alaska’s history of becoming the 49th U.S. state. The dessert might have actually been invented in New York by a French chef who called it “Alaska, Florida,” and was first served to celebrate the purchase of Alaska in 1867.

Eegees is an Italian ice slush dessert that is only available in Tucson and Casa Grande, Arizona. The dessert was invented in 1971 by two college students — Ed Irving and Bob Greenberg — who named it after themselves.

There is no possum meat in this pie with chocolate pudding, often paired with cream cheese or vanilla pudding. This layered dessert is topped with whipped cream. Unofficially, possum pie is the state’s treat.

The date shake — a milkshake flavored with locally grown dates — was invented in the late 1920s by Russell Nicoll. The drink is iconic to Palm Springs.