As far as I’m concerned, on this holiday, you get to gorge guilt-free on all the Thanksgiving desserts you want!
This is a vast list of Thanksgiving dessert recipes for you to browse (with pictures of everything, of course) so you can find YOUR family’s next new favorite.
In my opinion, the best Thanksgiving desserts always come in pie form.
And at least one item on the Thanksgiving dessert table has to be pumpkin-flavored.
But there are also some really unique, creative Thanksgiving desserts to impress your family with this year.
Whether you’re looking for something fun or traditional, simple or fancy, this list of Thanksgiving-themed desserts will NOT let you down.
If you’re in need of ideas for cooking your Thanksgiving turkey or side dishes, or just don’t even know where to start, check out my ultimate list of Thanksgiving recipes.
There are even MORE desserts not even listed on this page!
You should check out my sweet potato casserole without pecans, too – it’s gluten-free and friendly to nut allergies.
But more importantly, it’s so sweet it can pass for a dessert itself. YUM.
These super good Thanksgiving desserts are categorized by type, such as cakes, pies, or kid-friendly treats.
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Thanksgiving Cakes, Cupcakes, and Bread Desserts
Quick Thanksgiving desserts like cake and bread are also an easy way to feed a crowd.
Cakes
- Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting: This heavenly two-layer cake is made entirely from ingredients you’ve probably got in your kitchen.
Who knew such ordinary stuff could make such a beautiful, tasty cake?
If you like, throw some candied pecans on top.
- Pumpkin Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting: This cake is made in a loaf pan, making serving a crowd super easy.
Just slice, plate, and pass!
If you’re like me and don’t like pecans, all you have to do is leave them out.
- Pumpkin Crunch Cake: Unlike the previous recipe, pecans are kind of essential to this cake being “crunchy.”
But it’s extremely easy to put together – just mix the ingredients together, spread it in the pan, and bake!
It can be served warm or cold, so you can make it the day before Thanksgiving if needed (and slices can always be reheated for those who want it warm).
- Pumpkin Apple Cake: My favorite apples are Granny Smith, and this recipe recommends using them!
Peeling apples is one of my least favorite things in the world, though, so I like to buy pre-peeled slices for cooking whenever possible.
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Cake: I’m obsessed with everything cream cheese, and the flavor of it just pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
This cake slices beautifully and is a great choice for a dessert table (where people need room on their plates for more than one!).
- Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake: This recipe reminds me of chess pie and chess bars, which are some of the best desserts of all time IMO.
They’re meant to have a gooey filling with a crunchy top layer, and the flavor is decadently rich.
- Apple Walnut Cake: So sweet it doesn’t need frosting, this fruity Thanksgiving cake can be topped with literally nothing – or anything!
Ice cream, powdered sugar, a vanilla drizzle… Use your imagination and make it your own.
- Brandied Apple Upside Down Cake: Pineapple upside-down cake might be old school, but this is a refreshing and modern Thanksgiving dessert.
Plus, there’s nothing wrong with finding an excuse to have a bottle of apple brandy in the house.
- Apple Crumble Cake: I love everything with a streusel topping.
This cake also has a bit of vanilla glaze drizzled on top of the streusel – so there’s really no excuse not to love it.
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake: The best Thanksgiving desserts are the ones that are quick to put together and just naturally bake into something beautiful.
That’s what this dump cake is!
Boxed cake mix and canned filling make this recipe a cinch to pull off.
Top it with some ice cream or whipped cream for an impressive presentation.
Bundt Cakes
- Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Icing: This is one of the easiest bundt cakes you could possibly make for Thanksgiving.
It’s also got a beautiful cream cheese-based drizzle frosting that’s thick enough to form nice ropes across the cake.
- Cranberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake: Not everyone likes cranberry sauce.
If you’d still like to incorporate cranberry flavor in your Thanksgiving spread, though, this dessert cake is a great way to do it!
- Mini Carrot Bundt Cakes: Looking for a dessert you can serve without having to touch it and cut it up?
Individual cakes are the way to go!
Just get some silicone mini bundt cake molds.
These cakes require minimal handling once they’re baked – just dump them onto individual plates before adding your pecan drizzle.
- Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Sauce: Would you like to eat a caramel apple in bread form this Thanksgiving?
Because that’s basically what this recipe is. Yum!
Cupcakes, Muffins, and Breads
- Russian Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes: These adorable cupcakes go along perfectly with a fall-themed spread.
Made to look like little apples with a bit of clove and a pumpkin seed on top, they don’t taste like apples, but they’re still tasty and sweet.
- Apple Pie Cupcakes: Now these cupcakes actually DO taste like apples, with apple pie filling in the middle.
They’re also frosted in a delicious cinnamon buttercream.
- Apple Butter Cupcakes: Instead of apple filling, these are basic cupcakes made with apple butter as part of the batter.
The buttercream frosting also incorporates a bit of apple butter and traditional fall spices to end Thanksgiving on a perfectly autumnal note.
- Cinnamon Apple Muffins: So sweet and delicious no frosting is required!
Make life easy and just pop these in the oven once the rest of your Thanksgiving meal is done cooking.
Take them out when they’re done, and that’s it! You have individual desserts!
- Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Filling: Lighter in texture than the pumpkin and cream cheese loaf cake above, this bread compensates by adding chocolate chips to the mix.
- Pumpkin Roll: This is a staple in my family.
My mom makes one every year – sometimes twice (Thanksgiving and Christmas)!
Just feel free to make extra cream cheese filling and spread it on thick.
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies: Kids tend to love this dessert.
Maybe because it’s like a fancy sweet sandwich?
Or a puffy, moist Oreo?
I have no idea.
But I agree with them – and the maple cream cheese filling on this one is a stellar touch.
Thanksgiving Cheesecakes
- Mini Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecakes: The perfect bite-sized treats for serving a crowd at Thanksgiving, these mini desserts are easy to make and fit perfectly in the muffin tin you already have.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake: The only thing better than pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving is giving it an upgrade to cheesecake!
Beautiful, simple, and gorgeous, if you can’t decide on what dessert to make – I vote you go with this one.
- Pumpkin Pie Toffee Cheesecake: Is there anything bad about this recipe?
I mean, the toffee bits tend to get stuck in my teeth, but that just means I get to taste them longer. Right?
- Cranberry Bread Pudding Cheesecake: If you make this for Thanksgiving, your family might be asking for a repeat at Christmas!
Cranberry, cream cheese, ricotta, caramel, toffee… The combination of flavors is just wonderful.
Thanksgiving Brownies and Bars
- Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Glaze: Tiny bites of warm apple inside these light-colored brownies are perfectly enhanced by the cinnamon topping.
You can cut them into small bites for a large crowd, or serve up big squares with a scoop of ice cream on top.
- Pumpkin Crunch: Walnuts are what add the crunch to the crust of this bar, but you can easily substitute for some graham cracker crumbs if you don’t like nuts.
Cream cheese and whipped topping blend together for one of the most perfect frostings in the world.
- Apple Pie Bars: Cutting and serving up apple pie can be pretty messy.
I won’t say these bars aren’t messy, but being able to cut them evenly into squares makes them easier to work with than a round pie.
A sugary glaze gives them an extra oomph, too.
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: Shortbread crust. Apple pie filling. Streusel topping. Salted caramel drizzle.
Does it sound perfect or WHAT?
These are so far beyond traditional apple pie, it’s like night and day to the previous recipe.
- Maple Pecan Bars: I don’t love pecans, but I know pecan lovers are out there.
I DO love maple syrup in anything, which is enough for me to give these a try.
- Salted Caramel Pecan Bars: My favorite thing about this recipe is that you don’t have to crush anything or pat anything down to form the crust.
You just lay down whole graham crackers. The crust has never been easier!
- Pecan Pie Bars: Love pecan pie, but don’t love serving it? Here’s your solution!
You can make these bars ahead (or even freeze them) so you don’t have to worry about making a dessert on the day of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Pies, Crisps, and Tarts
Pies (or at least, something served in a pie dish) is just standard fare for Thanksgiving desserts.
The day wouldn’t be the same without them!
Pies
- Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie: No, the crust does not have turkey meat in it!
Instead, some extra crust dough is cut into shapes and arranged to resemble a turkey on top of the pie.
It’s really easy to do and adds a cute touch to a traditional pumpkin pie.
- Pumpkin Pie: If you want a good old-fashioned pumpkin pie recipe to make for this Thanksgiving, this is the one!
It is extremely easy to make – which is why it’s found on most tables during the holidays.
Put some giant dollops of whipped cream on top to jazz it up as desired.
- Crustless Pumpkin Pie: Need your pie to be gluten-free, or lower in carbs?
Try making it without the crust!
Between that and using a sugar substitute over the real thing, you’ve got a very diet-friendly pie that tastes just as good (if not better).
- No-Bake Triple Layer Pumpkin Pie: If you want to go all-out in making a pumpkin pie, I love this recipe.
It’s got a graham cracker crust, a cheesecake-like layer, and a pumpkin pie layer on top.
Then the whole thing is just smothered in whipped cream. Yum!
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie: Unlike the previous recipe, this one just combines the cheesecake and pie elements for a simple mix that sets up altogether.
It doesn’t have a graham cracker crust, either, so it’s better if you’re in a hurry to get your dessert together.
- Handheld Pumpkin Pie Bites: I find that after everyone has finished Thanksgiving dinner, once they’re ready for dessert, they don’t like to go back to the same spot.
It’s time to mingle and talk to other family members.
This is a great dessert to carry along with you!
- Apple Pie: The second-most popular pie in America on Thanksgiving, apple pie likely doesn’t take the top spot simply because it’s harder to make than pumpkin pie.
This recipe makes it as simple as possible – and if you can buy pre-diced apples the day you’re making it, it’ll be a piece of cake… erm, pie.
- Apple Crumb Pie: A crumbled topping made out of oats (so definitely not like a streusel) gives this pie a chewy, crunchy factor.
You’ll also slice your apples instead of dicing them, which I find to be the easiest way to make an apple pie.
- Caramel Apple Pie with Cookie Crust: The title alone should’ve sold you on wanting to try this pie recipe!
If a cookie crust and caramel topping aren’t enough, please know that streusel is also involved. I rest my case.
- Hot Buttered Rum Apple Pie: I personally think you need to be a more adventurous, experienced chef to pull off this recipe, but I’m sure the end result is worth it.
Of course, I could just be lazy.
- Harvest Almond Apple Pie: You don’t see a lot of almond dishes at Thanksgiving, and I’m not sure why.
They’re easy to come by and still fit well with fall themes.
The surprise of this apple pie doesn’t end with the sliced almonds on top, though.
The apple filling rests on top of a tasty cream cheese layer underneath!
- Butter Toffee Pecan Crumb Pumpkin Pie: Talk about a mouthful!
This recipe has a little bit of everything that we like in our Thanksgiving desserts.
If you’re only feeding a few people but can’t decide on a single pie flavor, this one might satisfy all of your cravings.
- Pumpkin Biscoff Pecan Pie: I am pretty sure I will eat any recipe with cookie butter involved.
Like, you could smear cookie butter all over a stack of beets and I’d eat them. (Maybe.)
But it blends particularly well with pumpkin puree and perfectly compliments the pecan topping.
- Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie: This is a really simple pecan pie recipe (BTW, that’s the third most popular Thanksgiving pie in America).
Dove dark chocolate adds the thing you’re craving and would be well-paired with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Crisps and Tarts
- Pumpkin Crisp with Pecan Oat Topping: Graham crackers, oats, and pecans come together to create a perfect crunchy topping on this crisp.
The inside is extremely close to pumpkin pie!
- Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp: I LOVE these kinds of recipes because they don’t have to be transferred to fancy serving platters.
Just put a hot pad on the table and put the fresh apple crisp down right in the skillet!
- Apple Crisp: This version of the apple crisp is extremely easy with very few ingredients.
Just serve it with a scoop of ice cream for a sweet, simple treat.
- Mini Apple Crisp Pies: You can make 12 crisps at a time with this recipe!
It’s made easy with the use of premade mini graham cracker shells.
Everyone will love having their own perfect little tart to themselves.
- Rose Apple Tart: There are no better Thanksgiving desserts to impress than this elegant tart.
Thin apple slices are carefully arranged around the pie pan so that the finished dish resembles a giant rose!
It’s not as hard as you think; just save the thinnest apple slices for the very middle.
Thanksgiving Cookies
Cookies are the perfect option for small servings of dessert.
No one has to be in charge of serving them, they’re easy for kids to eat, and they can be carried around while people mingle.
I like to go outside to the cool Fall air after eating a big Thanksgiving meal, and a cookie is my favorite thing to take out there with me!
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: You know how pumpkin bread is always so soft and moist as if it’s impossible to overbake it?
The same holds with pumpkin cookies!
They’re super-soft and easy to make.
This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving desserts ever.
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles: The defining feature of a snickerdoodle is the cinnamon sugar on top, and that pairs very well with pumpkin flavoring!
Pumpkin puree keeps the cookie soft, while pumpkin spice adds the perfect touch of fall.
- Glazed Apple Cookies: These are pretty simple cookies, with diced apple and pecans mixed into the batter for some Thanksgiving-inspired crunch.
The glaze really takes the flavor and sweetness up a notch!
- Apple Pie Cookies with Crumb Topping: This hearty little cookie will keep guests satisfied with just a bite-sized dessert!
Oats and pecans top apple-filled cookies for a messy, crunchy treat.
Thanksgiving Dessert Drinks
- Pumpkin Spice Lattes: No, you don’t have to run to Starbucks on Thanksgiving day. (I don’t even think they’re open.)
This is a recipe for making a delicious, warm drink at home, and it’s easily multiplied for however many guests you have.
Just use decaf coffee for the kids (and yes, it is perfectly safe for them).
- Bourbon Butter Pecan Milkshakes: If you want to wow your guests with dessert, this is a Pinterest-worthy recipe if I ever saw one!
The milkshake itself is very quick to make (it uses butter pecan ice cream), so you have time to make your acorns out of Nutter Butters.
Just leave out the bourbon for an adorable kid-friendly milkshake, too!
More Cute Thanksgiving Desserts for Kids
- Turkey Rice Krispie Treats: These are PERFECT for a Thanksgiving-specific dessert!
Your kids will love helping you make them as much as they love eating them.
They even use a favorite seasonal candy – candy corn!
- Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats: Dessert doesn’t get any easier than molding rice krispie treat mix into a ball shape and calling it a pumpkin.
A bit of pumpkin pie spice is added for fall flavor, and the stems are green Mike and Ikes!
Other Unique Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
- Pumpkin Flan: I have not had much luck cooking flan in the past, but I LOVE it when it’s made right.
This recipe still has the signature caramel glaze, but with a pumpkin-and-cream-cheese filling that’s to die for.
- Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu: I’m willing to bet none of your guests expect to be served a tiramisu for dessert.
And they will go WILD for it!
All the fall flavors are involved: pumpkin spice, maple syrup, vanilla, coffee, brown sugar, spiced rum… Dang!
It does take a bit of time and this recipe makes 6, so save this one for small gatherings.
- Pumpkin Fluff Dip: This dip is great because people can dip whatever they prefer in it, from cookies to crackers to apple slices.
It’s really easy to make, too.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip: Yeah, it’s another pumpkin dip, but it’s totally different from the one above.
This one is a bit denser and made with whipped cream cheese and maple syrup instead of Cool Whip!
- Pumpkin Peanut Butter Fudge: I’ve always preferred my mom’s peanut butter fudge to her chocolate fudge during the holidays.
This recipe really knocks it out of the park for Thanksgiving!
Cashew butter and peanut butter combine with pumpkin puree, as well as goji berries and dates.
If it were me, I’d leave off the pecan and raisin topping, but you can use whatever you like.
How many desserts should you make for Thanksgiving?
No matter how small the dinner party, I like to have at least two or three options for dessert on Thanksgiving, and for two reasons.
- Not everyone likes pumpkin pie (or apple pie, or whatever your favorite is), and
- It’s Thanksgiving! You get to enjoy as many flavors as you want on this day.
For larger crowds on Thanksgiving, I would go with one dessert per four guests (assuming the dessert recipes feed an average of eight people), but no more than six desserts total.
So if you’re feeding 8 people, I’d have two desserts to choose from. For 12 guests, I’d have three. For 20 people, I’d have a dessert buffet of five or so platters.
How do you choose what desserts to make for Thanksgiving?
Desserts are my favorite part of ANY meal, so it can be hard to narrow down a stellar collection like this.
There are some simple rules I like to follow when deciding on a dessert menu for Thanksgiving, though.
- Make something pumpkin-flavored and something with apples.
These are the two most popular dessert flavors on Thanksgiving and two that I personally love as well.
Pecans are next in line, and while I’m not a fan, if I know my guests are interested I’d be sure to incorporate them into a dessert as well. - They don’t all need to be pies, but there should be one.
I’m not sure it would feel like Thanksgiving without ANY pies.
But if you only make one, it doesn’t have to be pumpkin-flavored!
You could always make a pumpkin roll and an apple pie, for instance. - How much do the recipes cost to make?
Even common ingredients can add up if you don’t already have them in your pantry.
Take a good look at the equipment needed to make a recipe, too.
You don’t want to have to buy a bunch of mini pie plates if you can’t afford them, or start making a recipe just to discover you can’t do it with the supplies you have! - How much time do you have to make desserts?
Many desserts are served cold and can be made a day or two in advance (or longer if they’re freezable).
If you want to serve warm apple pie, will you have time – or room in the oven – on Thanksgiving day?
Try for a mix of make-ahead and one or two warm desserts to bake the day of.
They can always be popped in the oven while everyone is eating Thanksgiving dinner.
Which Thanksgiving desserts are you going to make this year? Let me know in the comments below what you’ll be cooking up!
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, don’t forget to check out my premium Thanksgiving planner printable.
It will make life SO much easier in the weeks, days, and hours(!!) leading up to the big feast.
Love the alternative ideas! Especially the bourbon milk shake!
Oh, my world! I don’t know which one now! I want to make them all at once!!:)))
Oh my gosh all this looks super amazing! I do not know which one to try first!
Woohoo! I love desserts! And the best part, I have 64 to choose from 🙂
Thank you, Michelle, for sharing!
Alex.
Amazing recipes, I love the pumpkin peanut butter fudge!!! Can’t wait to try it out!
Thank you very much xoxo
This is an amazing collection of Thanksgiving desserts!! I am really excited to try the salted caramel apple pie bars! The dark chocolate pecan pie also looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this useful and delicious article!
What a great roundup from some of the best bloggers on the web! Thanksgiving here in Canada was almost 2 weeks ago. I brought the traditional pumpkin pie and a double layer pecan pie. SO YUMMY!
This is the BEST source of Thanksgiving desserts I have found!
Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Kippi