27 Of The Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Thanksgiving desserts are full of rich flavors and creamy sauces, the perfect end to a delightful family feast. Here we have found 27 of the best dessert recipes for you to try out over the holiday season. 

1. Mini Brownie Turkeys

These mini brownies are perfect for a little treat or snack throughout the day, for your kids to take into class, or even just as an adorable centerpiece. Kids can easily get stuck in with this simple, tasty recipe. 

It may look like a lot of work has gone into these turkey brownies, but really it’s just some small pieces of candy.

Chocolate frosting is used to stick pieces of candy corn, some eyeballs, and candy-coated chocolate pieces to the brownie base. 

2. The Great Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Pumpkin pie is a traditional Thanksgiving dessert (see also ‘28 Festive Thanksgiving Pies‘), the holiday wouldn’t be complete without it. This pie is rich, smooth and pairs perfectly with some delicious whipped cream.

A homemade pie crust is used here to create a tender and flaky coating for the filling. 

Fresh or canned pumpkin can be used in this recipe, all depending on specific tastes, however, canned pumpkin tends to be a little more sturdy.

The secret ingredient to this pie is freshly ground black pepper which is added to the filling. Top with sugared cranberries and pie crust leaves if you have enough left for a festive touch. 

3. Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

Cheesecake mixed with pecan pie? Yes please!

These cheesecake bars have a buttery graham cracker crust (see also ‘Graham Cracker Crust Pies – 28 Amazing Recipes!‘), a rich cheesecake filling, and a caramel pecan topping that tastes just like pecan pie.

An extra drizzle of sweet and sticky caramel sauce is added to the top as abundantly as you wish. 

This is a baked cheesecake recipe, it’s suggested to bake in a hot water bath in the oven to prevent cracking.

The pecan topping (see also ‘20 Delectable Cheesecake Toppings You Need To Try‘) is added once the cheesecake filling has set before continuing to bake to bring the dish together. Serve with any leftover caramel sauce.

4. Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread is a great all-rounder when it comes to putting something sweet on the table. Standard pantry ingredients are mixed with autumnal spices and pumpkin.

Here a can of 100% puré pumpkin is used, but using fresh pumpkin also works well. 

The mixture is enough to fill two pans, so you can even give one to your neighbor and keep one for yourself. Once cooked, they are ready to eat. To revive freshness, toast individual slices to get the same fresh-baked taste. 

5. Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is another traditional Thanksgiving dessert that we wouldn’t be without. It’s simple to make and utterly delicious. There is minimal effort needed to make this pie, which gives you plenty of time to spend with your loved ones.

This recipe uses an unbaked deep dish pie shell to save time and energy, once the filling is prepared, pour in and bake until set. 

6. Mississippi Mud Pie

For an uber indulgent and chocolatey dessert, try making this Mississippi mud pie. Chocolate lovers will certainly be thanking you.

A crust is made from crushed chocolate wafer cookies and melted butter, similar to a cheesecake crust. The rich brownie layer uses a high percentage dark chocolate for a full-flavored brownie. 

A chocolate pudding layer, made from cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and baking staples to form a thick, smooth paste when heated.

Once the brownie layer is cooked, the warm pudding is poured over it to cool to room temperature. When all done and cooled, the mud pie is served with whisked chilled cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. 

7. The Most Amazing Vegan Pecan Pie

Vegan guests don’t have to miss out this Thanksgiving, as there are so many delicious plant-based dishes for them to try.

The mixture of flax eggs, cornstarch, Bourbon, vanilla extract, and melted vegan butter help to create a thick and creamy pie filling. Once the filling is made, the pie crust can be filled and topped with pecans before baking. 

There is no need to pre-bake this vegan pie crust, which is simple to make and linked in the recipe if you’d like to have a try yourself.

Otherwise, you can find pre-made pie crusts in well-stocked grocery stores. Serve with coconut whipped cream and enjoy! 

8. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies are a great addition to any Thanksgiving dessert table, everyone likes them and they can be eaten as a little cooking snack.

These cookies are incredibly moist, light, and fluffy in texture, everything you’d want from a cookie. If you’re using fresh pumpkin puree, drain some of the liquid out with a paper towel to avoid soggy cookies. 

With some simple mixing of ingredients, be careful not to overmix, the cookie dough is ready in a flash. Scoop the mixture out and place it on a prepared baking tray to cook.

Although they are perfect by themselves, other serving suggestions include chopped nuts or a delicious cream cheese frosting. 

9. Apple Pie From Scratch

Making an apple pie from scratch is easy to do and produces amazing results. The pie dough may be the most daunting part of the process but adding ice water to the dough helps it come together without it being too dry or too sticky.

Apples are mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice for a delicious filling. 

Once the pie dough has filled and edged a dish, the spiced apple filling can be poured in and the top carefully placed on before using a simple egg wash to brush over the pie for a sticky glaze and shiny end result.

Cutting slits into the pie helps to create a vent. When cooked and cooled, serve with a nice big dollop of ice cream and enjoy. 

10. Vegan Apple Cake

This vegan apple pie recipe produces a soft, moist and delicious dessert that’s packed full of apple pieces (see also ‘27 Amazing Apple Desserts Recipes‘). Using an easy one-bowl recipe, you can achieve tasty results quickly.

Cinnamon is essential to create a classic Thanksgiving taste in the cake batter. Apple slices are added to the top layer of the cake, these can be arranged however you’d like. 

Serve with a light vegan custard for best results. This can easily be bought at the store or homemade as indicated by this recipe. 

11. Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie (see also ‘The Top 13 Canned Sweet Potato Recipes‘) is perfect for Thanksgiving as it’s full of autumnal spices and is just a great comfort food on a rainy day.

Using fresh sweet potatoes will give you a deeper and richer flavor, but you can use a canned version if you’re strapped for time. As sweet potatoes are naturally sweeter and flavorful, you don’t need to overload the pie with spices. 

Here vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon are combined to create a lightly spiced and cozy flavor. Homemade or premade pie crusts are fine, as long as you buy one which is full of buttery flaky goodness.

Once the filling is made, simply fill the unbaked pie crust and pop it in the oven until cooked. 

12. Pear And Berry Crumb Pie

If you’re looking to mix things up a little this Thanksgiving, why not try a pear and berry crumb pie rather than the more traditional pecan or pumpkin.

Oats and almonds, spiced with cinnamon and cloves make a fantastic pie crust. 

For the pear and berry filling apples, pears, and berries such as cranberries, blackberries or raspberries are used for natural sweetness.

Freshly grated nutmeg enhances the flavors alongside some fresh lemon juice for the ultimate sweet and nutty pie. 

13. Cranberry Cobbler

Fresh cranberries are a fantastic ingredient to use in Thanksgiving baking, such as this easy cranberry cobbler recipe. Sugar, orange juice, and zest alongside the cranberries provide you with the perfect amount of sweetness.

The simple topping combines flour, sugar, cinnamon, and egg to create a crumbly covering with a slight hint of autumn. 

Once everything is prepared, thin slices of butter are placed on top of the topping to melt and make the cobbler a perfect golden brown. 

14. Salted Caramel Pears

Spiced poached pears are certain to warm you up in the cooler months, paired with a salted caramel sauce this rich and delicious dessert will be sure to wow your guests this holiday period.

Pears are boiled with cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, cloves, and orange rind for the perfect autumnal infusion of spices. 

The salted caramel sauce is easily made at home, using cream, sea salt, brown sugar, and butter. Pouring the sauce over the poached pears (see also ‘26 Easy Pear Desserts Everyone Will Love‘) and serving with natural yogurt creates a gourmet dessert full of flavor. 

15. Light And Spiced Pumpkin Pie Tarts

These mini pumpkin pie tarts are great to have around the kitchen during the holiday season. This simple recipe is easy to make for fabulous results.

A can of pumpkin puree is used here for ease, mixed with the usual pumpkin pie ingredients such as ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. 

All of the ingredients are mixed together and spooned into pre-made tart shells (homemade is optional) before baking. Once cooked you can enjoy these light and delicious mini pumpkin pie tarts.

Why not serve with a dollop of whipped cream on top. 

16. Individual Apple Crisp

Individual apple crisps can be served in cute little ramekins for the perfect single-serving portion. This sweet and tart batch of apple crisp is super quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for a weeknight treat.

Any kind of apples work for this recipe and they are combined with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt. 

An oat topping is made with melted butter and crumbled over the top of the ramekins.

You can decide how much topping you’d like for each individual portion. Bake until crisp and golden brown and serve with some rich and creamy vanilla ice cream.

17. Pecan Banana Bundt Cake

To create a super moist banana pecan bundt cake, this recipe can help you out. Oh, it’s also topped with a sticky and sweet caramel glaze. You’ll ideally want a runny batter, but don’t worry this doesn’t mean a soggy cake (see also ‘20 Of The Best Sugar-Free Cakes You Need To Try‘).

Chopped pecans are stirred into the cake mixture, some can be reserved for decorating if you wish. 

The homemade rich and silky-smooth caramel glaze is quick to make. Light brown sugar, heavy cream, salt, vanilla extract, and corn syrup are boiled together to produce the lovely caramel which is then drizzled over the top of the cake.

18. Apple Betty With Almond Cream

Apple Betty is a no-crust pie, filled with a delightful heap of apples. Apples are slow cooked with a combination of cinnamon-raisin bread, more cinnamon, cardamom, and a few baking essentials for 3-4 hours until they are tender. 

Almond cream is a mixture of heavy whipping cream, sugar, grated lemon zest, and the all-important almond extract which is beaten until thickened. Serve over the cooked apple mixture for a warm and creamy comfort meal, ideal during autumn. 

19. Cinnamon Roll Apple Crisp 

Who doesn’t love a cinnamon roll? A cinnamon roll apple crisp is a combination of the two delicious desserts (see also ‘54 Individual Desserts In A Cup‘). Use store-bought cinnamon roll dough with icing for this recipe to make things quicker and easier.

Apples are scattered over the top of the rolls and sprinkled with some sugar and cinnamon for a classic apple crisp taste. 

The crumble topping is similar to a usual crumble topping, combining rolled oats with cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and cloves.

However, you can alter which spices you use here to make your own perfect autumnal topping. Spread over the top and bake until lightly golden brown. Best served with the cinnamon roll icing and whipped cream. 

20. Apple Tart With Walnut Crust

Another fantastic vegan dessert to try out this Thanksgiving is this apple tart with a walnut crust.

This is a healthier option if you fancy something lighter and are wanting to avoid anything too processed around the holiday season. It’s a healthier recipe as it avoids using refined sugar, vegan butter, or white flour. 

The walnut crust is made from toasted walnuts, rolled oats alongside coconut oil, delicious maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

Some of the filling ingredients are a little more specific than usual baking ingredients, such as arrowroot powder (see also ‘5 Substitutes For Arrowroot Powder‘) and agar powder which can be found at health food stores.  

The combination of the nutty crust and tart and sweet apple filling makes for a perfect Thanksgiving dessert. 

21. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

A chocolate and bourbon-infused version of a humble pecan pie can really level up your dessert game this Thanksgiving.

Chocolate can come in the form of chunks of your favorite chocolate bar or some chocolate chips mixed into the filling. Maple syrup is added for extra flavor and richness in this indulgent dessert. 

A flaky pie crust works best with any sweet pie which can either be shop-bought or homemade using the link in this recipe.

Use leftover pecans to layer on the surface of the filling for some extra decoration and bake. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for best results. 

22. Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies

This simple cookie recipe is great for putting out something to nibble on for your guests whilst they wait for the Thanksgiving feast. The cookies themselves are made from simple pantry ingredients and maple flavoring.

The glaze is a combination of confectioners’ sugar and maple syrup. 

Although you don’t have to get a maple cookie cutter, it does pull the whole recipe together nicely. 

23. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is always a crowd-pleaser. Many people aren’t a fan of dates (see also ‘23 Easy And Delicious Dessert Ideas With Dates‘), but these are soaked and roughly chopped so you’ll hardly notice they are there.

Black treacle is added to the sponge mixture, for a dark and sugary bitter flavor. 

Toffee sauce is arguably the most important part of the dish, using more black treacle, butter, double cream, and muscovado sugar (see also ‘The 5 Best Substitute Ingredients For Muscovado Sugar‘), this certainly isn’t a healthy dish.

The sweet and rich toffee sauce is drizzled over the sponge. Ideally, the pudding is served with cream or custard. 

24. German Apple Cake

If you’re a little new to the dessert game and have been entrusted with bringing something to the Thanksgiving table, this German apple cake (see also ‘28 Traditional Desserts From Germany‘) is ideal for beginners.

Alongside the usual cake mixture ingredients, cinnamon and apples are added. Many people enjoy adding a little zest to the dough with the zest of a lemon, this is optional. 

Apples can be cut into slices and arranged however you’d like over the dough. Add some extra cinnamon and sugar to help the apples caramelize before baking.

Traditionally served in the afternoon with a coffee and some whipped cream, this is the perfect afternoon treat around the holidays.  

25. Candied Yam Pie

A sweet potato pie topped with sweet and gooey melted marshmallows is a Thanksgiving staple.  Butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar are added to mashed yams and placed in a pie dish.

Covering the potatoes with mini marshmallows and baking until the marshmallows are brown and slightly melted produces the perfect candied yam pie. 

This is such a simple and easy dish to make, ideal for a dessert or even a side dish. 

26. Banana Pudding

Not only is this a great way to use up any overripe bananas it also makes great comfort food that is a little less rich than the standard Thanksgiving desserts.

The banana pudding consists of mashed bananas, mixed with melted butter, vanilla extract, and a range of pantry essentials to form a light, tasty batter. 

Simply pour the mixture into a dish and bake. Once cooked, serve with cream or vanilla ice cream for a delicious creamy treat. 

27. Caramel Pecan Cupcakes

If you’ve decided to go make a pumpkin or sweet potato pie this holiday season but still want a little taste of pecan, try out these caramel pecan cupcakes.

This non-complicated dessert is delicious (see also ‘35 of the World’s Most Delicious Desserts‘)  and has a few handy cheats that help make it a quick process. A box cake mix is used to save time, which is great if you’ve forgotten to make something for school or work. 

Using pecans and caramel to flavor these light and fluffy cupcakes (see also ‘16 Mini Cupcake Recipes‘) you can bring a festive element to normal cupcakes.

Save some caramel and pecan pieces to sprinkle over the top of your buttercream frosting for an extra crunch and sweet taste. 

Final Thoughts

There are so many desserts you can make around the Thanksgiving period, here are 27 of the most delicious and fuss-free desserts that will have your dinner table full and impressed.

We hope you enjoy and find some inspiration for your next Thanksgiving dessert! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Most Popular Dessert At Thanksgiving?

Pumpkin pie is the dessert most associated with Thanksgiving and is considered to be the most popular pie to serve around the holiday period.