Food

52 Delicious Thanksgiving Desserts

I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving foods. Turkey? Take it or leave it. Mashed potatoes? Meh. But the desserts, that is something this holiday got right. From delicious pies and cakes to decadent tarts and cheesecakes this roundup of Thanksgiving desserts has it all. Choose one (or more!) to impress your friends and family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Unique Showstoppers

Pumpkin Baked Alaska

If you want to impress friends and family at Thanksgiving try out this awesome recipe.

   

Apple Piecaken

This recipe includes directions for how to many any type of piecaken (a pie baked inside a cake!) plus cheater versions for how to simplify the process.

   

Apple Rose Puffed Pastries

People will think you are a pastry chef with this fancy-looking dessert.

   

Pumpkin Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse

Covered in a dark chocolate ganache this dessert tastes great and looks amazing.

Crisps/Tarts/Creme Brulee

Creamy Pumpkin Crisp

A twist on the typical pumpkin dessert. This layered treat has pumpkin pie filling, butter cake, and a layer of crushed nuts. Using a boxed cake mix makes this recipe really simple.

   

Chocolate Caramel Oreo Tart

No one will care that this dessert doesn’t have the traditional Thanksgiving flavors. If you want leftovers you may want to make two because this will vanish before your eyes.

   

Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee

Creme Brulee is one of my all-time favorite desserts. It’s so cheap and easy I really should make it more often.

   

Cranberry Galette

Cranberries are often overlooked when it comes to Thanksgiving desserts. But no longer! Check out this scrumptious looking galette.

   

Chocolate Pecan Tart

At Thanksgiving, people love pecan pie. At all times people love chocolate. Put them together and what do you get? Happy friends and family.

   

Pumpkin Custard

What makes this dessert so special is the maple mascarpone whipped cream – yum!

   

Caramel Apple Galette

You had me at warm caramel drizzle.

   

Brown Butter Cranberry Hazelnut Tart

Just imagine all those delicious flavors together. Now instead of just imagining, go ahead and make it!

Cakes

Pumpkin Caramel Lava Cake

Personal pumpkin cakes with a molten caramel center, perfect for the pumpkin lovers in your life.

   

Apple Butter Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

If you are in need of a gluten-free and vegan dessert I recommend taking a look at this cake.

   

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

I love angel food cake but I never thought of adding pumpkin to it, now I can’t wait to try it.

   

Ginger and Pear Polenta Cake

A super easy recipe because you can make it in one bowl. It’s also gluten-free for those needing this type of dessert option.

   

Pumpkin Carrot Cake

I always think of carrot cake as an Easter dessert. But add some pumpkin and you’ve added a whole other holiday!

   

Sweet Potato Cake

With a marshmallow buttercream frosting, this cake recipe is sure to please.

   

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting

The look of this frosting alone makes me want to bite into these cupcakes.

   

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Dump cakes are the best because they couldn’t be easier yet everyone loves their taste.

   

Pumpkin Roll Cake

What would this Thanksgiving recipe round-up be without a traditional pumpkin roll dessert?

No-Bake Desserts

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Truffles

Pumpkin and ice cream are two of my favorite things. With only two ingredients this recipe sounds like a winner to me!

   

Dark Chocolate Dipped Figs

A dessert I never thought to serve at Thanksgiving but now I’m intrigued. How great would these figs look on the Thanksgiving dessert table?

   

Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake Pie

I can never get enough pumpkin, can you? A bonus, this dessert is a no-bake recipe.

   

Yogurt Bomb with Berries

Make a day ahead of time so there is no stress the day of the celebration. If you are looking for an easy, cheap, but impressive dessert this is the one for you.

   

Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes

Whenever there is a pumpkin shake on a menu, I order it. What’s really great about this recipe is that it uses your leftover pumpkin pie (if there is any!).

   

Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse

Same great flavors but super fast and easy to make.

   

Mini Pumpkin Trifle

How cute are these trifles? Great to make ahead of time and easy to serve to guests.

Cookies and Bars

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling

Farmers’ markets are where I always get my whoopie pies to enjoy while doing my shopping. Why not enjoy them at home after a Thanksgiving feast?

   

Pecan Pie Bars

One of your favorite traditional Thanksgiving pies in bar form. Easy to make, delicious to eat.

   

Caramel Apple Cookies Bars

This recipe uses pre-made sugar cookie dough saving you a lot of prep time.

   

Turkey Sugar Cookies

If you like to decorate, take a look at these cute Thanksgiving cookies.

   

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Graham cracker crust, enough said.

   

Apple Crisp Cookie Cups

One of my own favorite recipes (that I invented!) is my Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookie Cups. I think this recipe could be a good rival for the holiday season.

   

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

Do you know anyone who doesn’t like snickerdoodle cookies? I don’t. These would be great to include in cookie exchanges too.

Cheesecakes

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Again, a recipe combines two of my favorite desserts to make an epic one!

   

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

I’ve had a lot of pumpkin cheesecake in my life but never a pecan one. I may need to try this recipe out.

   

Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake

One year at Thanksgiving we had a regular pumpkin cheesecake and a layered pumpkin cheesecake. Most people took a slice of each for comparison. Everyone was a winner.

   

Mini Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake

Salted caramel seems to be part of every dessert currently – and for good reason!

Pies

Pumpkin Pie

You need to have a pumpkin pie at your Thanksgiving table. Hopefully, you have many other desserts too but your guests will be disappointed if the pumpkin pie isn’t there (I know I would be!).

   

Bourbon Pear Pie

What makes this pie great at a Thanksgiving table (besides the bourbon, obviously)? The oat pecan crumble.

   

Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Two traditional Thanksgiving pies in one!

   

Chocolate Pecan Pie

More chocolate is needed on Thanksgiving. Pumpkin, apple, and pecans usually rule the dessert table but I personally would like to see more chocolate incorporated.

   

Dutch Apple Pie

The crumb topping always makes a pie better in my opinion.

   

Pumpkin Pie Squares

We always have at least two Thanksgiving gatherings which are very large. This recipe is made for a crowd.

   

Mini Chai-Spiced Pear Pies

If you follow the recipes on my blog you know I like all things mini. Mini pies are just the cutest!

   

Sweet Potato Chiffon Pie

Class up your Thanksgiving pie with this light and fluffy dessert recipe.

   

French Silk Pie

I actually had French Silk Pie as one of the dessert options at our Thanksgiving table last year and it was a hit. My belief is that any type of pie can be traditional.

   

Mini Pumpkin Pies

With this recipe, you won’t have to deal with cutting and serving slices of pie. Each person can get their own!

Misc.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Bread Pudding

I am always, always looking for yummy slow cooker recipes. Make it a bread pudding recipe and I’m sold.

   

White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge

Fudge is not only a tasty dessert but it is also the perfect gift to bring the host/hostess of Thanksgiving.

   

I hope you’ve found the perfect Thanksgiving dessert for your upcoming celebration(s). Tag me on Instagram (@planningforkeeps.com) with pictures of your desserts! I would love to see them.

Mehgan

View Comments

  • What a fabulous list of Thanksgiving recipes! Brilliant choices! Thanks for including my pumpkin cheesecake chocolate mousse dessert! Happy Thanksgiving!

    • Thank you and you're welcome! The Pumpkin Cheesecake Chocolate Mousse is on my list to make this year - it combines all my favorite things!

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