Thanksgiving desserts go beyond the traditional pumpkin pie. From creamy cheesecakes to fruity cobblers, there are countless sweet treats to end your holiday feast.
You’ll find options that range from quick and easy to impressive showstoppers.
Whether you prefer classics like pecan pie or want to try something new like pumpkin cream trifle, these 21 best Thanksgiving dessert recipes will satisfy everyone at your table. Many can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to focus on the main meal while ensuring a delicious finale.
From make-ahead bars to last-minute cookies, these desserts will complete your celebration perfectly.
1. Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream
Pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream is a classic Thanksgiving dessert that never goes out of style. The smooth, spiced pumpkin filling pairs perfectly with light, airy cream.
You can make a traditional pumpkin pie with a flaky crust or try something different like a graham cracker crust for extra flavor. Some recipes even use phyllo dough for a unique twist.
For the best results, make your pumpkin pie the night before Thanksgiving. This gives the flavors time to develop fully.
When serving, add a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream. For extra flair, try bourbon-infused whipped cream to elevate this timeless dessert.
2. Classic Apple Pie
Classic apple pie is a staple at Thanksgiving tables across America. This timeless dessert features a flaky, buttery crust filled with sweet-tart apples, cinnamon, and sugar.
To make a perfect apple pie, choose firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape when baked. Mix them with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of lemon juice for brightness.
The secret to a standout apple pie is balancing the sweetness and ensuring the bottom crust doesn’t get soggy. You can pre-cook your filling slightly or add a tablespoon of flour to thicken the juices.
Serve your pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert everyone will love.
3. Pecan Pie with a Touch of Bourbon
A splash of bourbon takes traditional pecan pie to new heights. This twist on the classic dessert adds depth and warmth that perfectly complements the sweet, nutty flavors.
Brown butter and bourbon create an instant holiday classic that will impress your guests. The alcohol cooks off during baking, leaving behind just the rich, caramel-like flavor notes.
For the best results, some recipes suggest soaking the pecans in bourbon overnight. Others recommend placing chocolate chips on the bottom of the crust for an even more decadent treat.
This no-corn-syrup version uses maple syrup instead, creating a more natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the bourbon.
4. Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
This delightful dessert combines the warmth of fall flavors with a creamy texture. The gingersnap crust replaces traditional graham crackers, offering a spicier base that enhances the pumpkin flavor.
The filling features a light, fluffy cheesecake texture infused with pumpkin and warm spices. You’ll find the contrast between the gingery crust and the smooth pumpkin filling creates a perfect balance.
For the crust, you’ll need gingersnap cookie crumbs, some brown sugar, and melted butter. Some recipes also add ground hazelnuts for extra texture and flavor.
This dessert makes an impressive alternative to traditional pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving table.
5. Caramel Apple Tart
A caramel apple tart combines the sweet taste of caramel with tart apples for a perfect Thanksgiving dessert. You can use a cream cheese pastry crust for extra richness or a basic pie crust for simplicity.
For the filling, choose a mix of tart and sweet apple varieties. This balance helps prevent the dessert from becoming too sweet when paired with caramel.
Top your tart with a dollop of whipped cream before serving. Some bakers also add a light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra fall flavor.
This dessert looks impressive on your holiday table but is surprisingly simple to make.
6. Maple Pecan Bars
Maple Pecan Bars offer all the delicious flavor of pecan pie without the fuss of making a full pie. These sweet and salty treats feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a gooey maple pecan filling.
Unlike traditional pecan pie, these bars don’t use corn syrup. Instead, they rely on pure maple syrup for a more complex, natural sweetness.
These dessert bars travel exceptionally well, making them perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings where you need to bring a dish. They can be cut into small squares, yielding about 24-30 pieces from a single batch.
The combination of crunchy pecans and maple-infused filling creates a delightful texture contrast that your guests will love.
7. Chocolate Silk Pie
Chocolate Silk Pie offers a smooth, rich dessert option for your Thanksgiving table. This classic treat consists of eggs, cream, chocolate, sugar, and butter blended into a mousse-like filling.
You can enhance the flavor by using dark chocolate, which creates a less sweet version that balances nicely with the richness. Some bakers prefer 70% dark chocolate for the perfect depth of flavor.
Top your pie with freshly whipped cream instead of store-bought options for the best taste. The contrast between the light, airy topping and the dense, silky chocolate filling makes this dessert irresistible to your holiday guests.
8. Cranberry Orange Cake
Cranberry Orange Cake brings together two festive flavors perfect for your Thanksgiving dessert table. This cake features tender layers infused with bright orange zest and tart cranberries.
A cream cheese frosting adds the perfect balance of sweetness to the tangy fruit flavors. You can decorate the top with sugared cranberries for an elegant presentation.
The cake works well as both a bundt or layer cake. Some versions include a cinnamon swirl inside for added warmth and complexity.
This versatile dessert can be prepared a day ahead, giving you more time to focus on other Thanksgiving preparations.
9. Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie is a classic Thanksgiving dessert that offers a delicious alternative to pumpkin pie. Made with creamy sweet potatoes, this pie features a warm blend of spices that creates a comforting flavor profile.
For the best results, choose small to medium sweet potatoes, which tend to be sweeter and creamier than larger ones. The recipe typically calls for ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
This pie is both impressive and easy to prepare, making it perfect for your holiday table. Your guests will appreciate the smooth texture and subtle spice notes that complement the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
10. Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
Gingerbread cookies make a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. These cookies are soft, chewy, and warmly spiced with ginger and other fall spices.
The rich molasses flavor pairs perfectly with sweet royal icing. You can use royal icing to create festive designs on your cookies for a decorative touch.
Most recipes call for simple ingredients like flour, baking soda, butter, and spices such as pumpkin pie spice and ground ginger. Some recipes even start with sugar cookie mix as a base.
These cookies are versatile enough to be cut into any shape you desire, from traditional gingerbread people to Thanksgiving-themed cutouts like leaves or turkeys.
11. Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie is a clever twist on traditional apple pie that uses canned cinnamon rolls instead of pie crust. This innovative dessert combines two beloved treats into one delicious Thanksgiving option.
To make this pie, you’ll need tart Granny Smith apples, sugar, pie spice, flour, and canned cinnamon rolls. The apples are tossed in a sweet mixture, then sandwiched between sliced cinnamon rolls.
Some recipes use store-bought apple pie filling to make this even easier. This dessert bakes into a warm, gooey treat that your Thanksgiving guests will love. It’s perfect when you want something impressive but don’t have much time to spare.
12. Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies
Brown butter pumpkin cookies are a delightful alternative to traditional Thanksgiving pies. They capture all the warm fall flavors you love in a convenient cookie form.
The secret to these cookies is the brown butter, which adds a nutty, rich flavor that perfectly complements the pumpkin and spices. Many recipes include a brown butter icing that takes these treats to the next level.
These cookies are typically soft and chewy, with a perfect balance of pumpkin, brown sugar, and spices. You can add oatmeal for extra texture and heartiness.
Your guests might forget about pie once they taste these flavorful cookies. They’re the perfect sweet ending to your Thanksgiving feast.
13. Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart
A Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart makes an impressive addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. This elegant treat features a buttery shortbread or almond crust as its foundation.
The middle layer consists of gooey, rich salted caramel that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty. This caramel filling adds a wonderful textural contrast to the dessert.
Topping it all is a smooth, bittersweet chocolate ganache that provides a luxurious finish. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt completes this sophisticated dessert.
You can prepare this tart a day ahead, making it a convenient option for your busy Thanksgiving preparations.
14. Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake
This festive dessert combines juicy pears with warm fall spices for a show-stopping Thanksgiving finale. The caramelized pears on top create a beautiful presentation when the cake is flipped over.
You’ll need ripe pears, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the topping. The cake itself features classic spices like cinnamon and possibly ginger for that perfect holiday flavor.
When baking, the pears soften and their juices mingle with the brown sugar to create a natural caramel sauce. The result is a moist, flavorful cake that’s not too sweet.
Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream for an elegant dessert that will impress your Thanksgiving guests.
15. Chai Spiced Pumpkin Bread
Chai Spiced Pumpkin Bread blends the warm flavors of fall into one delicious loaf. This super moist bread combines pumpkin puree with chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.
You can make this bread even more flavorful by adding chai tea latte concentrate to the batter. The rich pumpkin base pairs perfectly with these aromatic spices, creating a treat that’s perfect for your Thanksgiving dessert table.
For an extra special touch, add a chai crumble topping. This gives your bread a delightful texture contrast while boosting the chai flavor profile.
Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly memorable holiday dessert.
16. Apple Cranberry Crisp
Apple cranberry crisp is a delightful dessert that combines sweet apples with tart cranberries. This classic treat features a juicy fruit filling topped with a crunchy oat and pecan mixture.
It’s a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. You can serve it alongside traditional pumpkin pie for a nice contrast of flavors.
The beauty of this dessert is its simplicity. You can prepare it ahead of time and pop it in the oven while you’re enjoying your holiday meal.
The combination of warm spices, sweet-tart fruit, and crunchy topping creates a balanced dessert that isn’t too heavy after a big Thanksgiving feast.
17. Walnut Maple Fudge
Walnut Maple Fudge brings a taste of autumn to your Thanksgiving dessert table. This creamy treat combines rich maple flavor with crunchy walnuts for a delightful texture contrast.
You can make this fudge without a candy thermometer, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. The basic recipe includes white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and maple extract.
For the best results, stir in about 1¼ cups of walnuts before pouring the mixture into your prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of walnuts on top for an attractive finish.
This fudge can be made a few days ahead, making your Thanksgiving preparation easier.
18. Butterscotch Blondies
Butterscotch blondies offer a delicious alternative to traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin desserts. These chewy treats have the texture of brownies but with a lighter taste from brown sugar and vanilla.
The rich, buttery flavor comes from a combination of brown sugar and butterscotch chips. Some recipes even include butterscotch pudding mix for extra flavor intensity.
For a perfect balance, try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top. This sweet-salty combination enhances the butterscotch flavor.
White chocolate chips make a great addition if you want to create more flavor complexity in your blondies. These easy-to-make treats will satisfy your sweet tooth after a hearty Thanksgiving meal.
19. Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Pumpkin bread pudding offers a perfect fall dessert for your Thanksgiving table. This comforting treat combines cubed bread with a rich pumpkin custard that bakes into a soft, fluffy texture.
The recipe requires simple ingredients and is quite straightforward to make.
Start by toasting cubed bread, preferably brioche, on a sheet pan until lightly golden.
Mix pure pumpkin puree with warm spices, then combine with a standard custard base. Pour this mixture over your toasted bread cubes and bake until set.
For an extra special touch, consider serving it with dulce de leche drizzled on top. Your guests will appreciate this seasonal twist on a classic comfort dessert.
20. Hazelnut Chocolate Torte
The Hazelnut Chocolate Torte is a showstopping Thanksgiving dessert that will impress your guests. This rich cake features layers of moist hazelnut cake filled with velvety chocolate.
You can make this elegant dessert using hazelnut meal for a flourless, gluten-free option. The combination of chocolate and hazelnuts creates a decadent flavor profile that’s perfect for special occasions.
For an extra special touch, consider a Nutella filling between layers. The creamy hazelnut spread enhances the nutty flavor and adds sweetness to each bite.
Serve small slices as this torte is quite rich. A dollop of whipped cream balances the intensity perfectly.
21. Coconut Cream Pie
Coconut Cream Pie is a perfect ending to your Thanksgiving feast. This classic dessert features a silky, creamy filling bursting with tropical coconut flavor.
You can make it with a homemade crispy pie crust for the best results. The filling should be thick and rich, made with real coconut milk or cream.
Top your pie with sweet whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut for added texture and visual appeal. The combination of the smooth filling and crisp toasted coconut creates a delightful contrast.
This dessert brings a refreshing change from traditional fall flavors while still feeling indulgent enough for your holiday table.
Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dessert Table
Creating a memorable dessert table requires thoughtful planning around flavors, ingredients, and presentation. Your guests will appreciate a well-balanced selection that offers both traditional favorites and unexpected treats.
Balancing Flavors
A successful Thanksgiving dessert table offers variety to please every palate. Include a mix of sweet, tart, spiced, and rich options for guests to choose from.
Start with traditional favorites like pumpkin pie alongside chocolate options. Many guests expect these classics, so don’t skip them entirely.
Add some contrasting flavors with tart options like lemon cranberry bars or cranberry crumble bars. These provide a refreshing counterpoint to rich desserts.
Consider texture variety too—combine creamy desserts (cheesecakes), crunchy treats (pecan pie), and soft options (bread pudding).
For spice lovers, include cinnamon-forward treats like snickerdoodle cookies or apple crisp. Warming spices connect perfectly with the season.
Remember that not everyone enjoys heavily spiced or extremely sweet desserts. Include at least one lighter option like a fruit tart.
Incorporating Seasonal Ingredients
Thanksgiving desserts shine brightest when featuring autumn’s best produce. Apples, pumpkins, cranberries, and pecans should star in your selections.
Fall Fruits to Feature:
- Apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn)
- Pears
- Cranberries
- Persimmons
Transform these ingredients into showstoppers like caramel apple dump cake or pumpkin crunch cake. These dishes highlight seasonal flavors while bringing comfort to your table.
Don’t overlook herbs and spices that complement fall fruits. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger enhance the natural sweetness of your desserts.
Local honey or maple syrup can replace some sugar in recipes, adding depth and connecting your meal to regional traditions.
Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can surprisingly elevate fruit-based desserts, especially when paired with apples or pears.
Presentation Tips
Your dessert table should look as good as it tastes. Thoughtful presentation transforms good desserts into a memorable experience.
Height matters. Use cake stands, tiered plates, or even inverted bowls under cloths to create different levels. This makes your table visually interesting and allows more space for desserts.
Consider a color scheme that complements your desserts. Autumn tones like deep oranges, browns, and reds work beautifully with Thanksgiving treats.
Label each dessert with simple cards, especially if they contain common allergens. This helps guests choose confidently.
Provide appropriate serving utensils for each dessert. Nothing frustrates guests more than having to use the wrong tool for a delicate slice.
Pre-slice some desserts like pies and bars. This makes serving easier and encourages guests to try small portions of multiple options.
Keep garnishes simple but intentional. Fresh mint leaves, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or a small dollop of whipped cream can elevate presentation.
Pairing Desserts with Thanksgiving Meals
Choosing the right desserts for your Thanksgiving feast can enhance the overall dining experience. The perfect pairings consider both flavor harmony and portion sizes to ensure guests leave satisfied but not overwhelmed.
Selecting Complementary Flavors
When pairing desserts with Thanksgiving meals, consider the dominant flavors of your main course. Traditional turkey dinners with savory herbs pair beautifully with desserts that offer contrast. Pumpkin pie, with its warm spices, provides a classic transition from savory to sweet.
For meals featuring cranberry sauce or other tart sides, balance with sweeter desserts like pecan pie or coconut-pecan tart. The richness offsets the acidity nicely.
If your meal includes earthy flavors from mushrooms or root vegetables, apple desserts like apple-raspberry pandowdy complement these notes wonderfully.
Consider offering variety. A mix of fruit-based desserts (poached pear tart) alongside richer options (pumpkin-cheesecake pie) ensures something for everyone’s palate.
Appropriate Serving Sizes
After a hearty Thanksgiving meal, guests often have limited room for dessert. Plan smaller portions than you might for a standalone dessert occasion.
Mini tarts or pie slices (about 2-3 inches wide) are ideal.
Consider a dessert bar approach with bite-sized options. Small squares of pecan brownies, two-bite pumpkin cookies, or mini cheesecake cups let guests sample multiple treats without overindulging.
Timing matters too. Allow 1-2 hours between the main meal and dessert service when possible. This gives guests time to digest before enjoying sweets.
For large gatherings, plan about 1.5 dessert portions per person. Some will want seconds, while others might skip dessert entirely.
Light options like fruit-and-herb sorbets can be perfect palate cleansers that don’t overwhelm already-full guests.
