As Thanksgiving approaches, one can’t help but feel excited about the delicious feast ahead, especially when it comes to dessert! After all the savory dishes are enjoyed, it’s the sweet treats that truly make the meal memorable.
From classic pies to innovative creations, there’s something about ending the day on a sweet note that just feels right.
This year, I’ve gathered 18 favorite Thanksgiving dessert recipes from around the web that are sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re a fan of pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or something a bit more unique, these recipes will add a delightful touch to your holiday celebration.
1. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie is a quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, celebrated for its rich, spiced filling and creamy texture. Typically made with a base of canned or fresh pumpkin puree, the filling is combined with eggs, sugar, and a blend of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, creating a warm and inviting flavor profile.
The mixture is poured into an unbaked pie crust and baked until set, resulting in a custard-like consistency that is both comforting and delicious. Many recipes also suggest serving the pie with whipped cream or a caramel topping for added indulgence. Good Housekeeping
2. Cranberry-Apple Hand Pies
Cranberry-Apple Hand Pies are delightful individual pastries filled with a sweet and tangy mixture of fresh cranberries and apples, making them a perfect dessert for Thanksgiving. The recipe typically involves creating a flaky pie crust, which is filled with a combination of tart cranberries, diced apples, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Once assembled, the hand pies are baked until golden brown, resulting in a warm, comforting treat that captures the essence of the fall season.
These hand pies are not only delicious but also portable, making them an excellent option for gatherings or as a festive dessert to share. They can be served warm or at room temperature and are often enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
With their beautiful golden crust and vibrant filling, Cranberry-Apple Hand Pies add a charming touch to any Thanksgiving table. Country Living
3. Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a delicious twist on traditional apple pie, combining a buttery shortbread crust with a spiced apple filling and a crunchy streusel topping. The recipe involves layering thinly sliced apples mixed with sugar, flour, and spices over the baked crust, then topping it with a crumble made from oats, brown sugar, and flour.
Once baked until golden, the bars are drizzled with homemade salted caramel sauce, which adds a rich, sweet-salty flavor that elevates the dessert.
These bars are not only easier to prepare than a full pie but also perfect for serving at gatherings due to their portability. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature and are ideal for fall festivities.
The combination of tender apples, crunchy topping, and luscious caramel makes Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars a crowd-pleasing treat that captures the essence of autumn in every bite. Sally’s Baking Addiction
4. Mixed Berry Crisp
Mixed Berry Crisp is a delightful dessert that combines a medley of fresh or frozen berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, baked under a crunchy topping. The berries are typically sweetened with sugar and flavored with lemon juice or zest to enhance their natural tartness. This comforting dish is perfect for showcasing seasonal fruits and can be enjoyed year-round, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.
The crisp topping is made from a mixture of oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter, which creates a golden-brown, crumbly layer when baked.
As it cooks, the berries bubble beneath the topping, resulting in a warm and juicy filling that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy layer on top.
Often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, Mixed Berry Crisp is not only delicious but also visually appealing, making it an ideal dessert for gatherings and celebrations. Cooking Channel
5. Cherry Clafoutis
Cherry Clafoutis is a classic French dessert that features fresh cherries baked in a custard-like batter, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The dish is surprisingly easy to prepare, requiring simple ingredients such as eggs, milk, flour, sugar, and of course, cherries.
Traditionally, the cherries are left unpitted, which adds to the rustic charm of the dessert, though they can be pitted for convenience.To make Cherry Clafoutis, the batter is blended until smooth and poured over the arranged cherries in a baking dish.
It is then baked until puffed and golden brown, resulting in a custardy texture that is both rich and light.
Often served warm or at room temperature, it can be dusted with powdered sugar for an elegant finish, making it a perfect addition to any dessert table. Once Upon a Chef
6. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is a classic dessert that features layers of tender cake, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream, making it a light and refreshing option perfect for gatherings. The dessert typically starts with a simple cake or biscuit base, which can be made from scratch using flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter.
Once baked, the cake is sliced and layered with macerated strawberries—strawberries mixed with sugar to enhance their natural sweetness—and topped generously with freshly whipped cream.
This dessert is not only delicious but also versatile; it can be customized with various toppings or served in different styles, such as individual servings or as a larger cake.
Strawberry Shortcake is especially popular during warmer months but can easily be adapted for Thanksgiving by incorporating seasonal spices or serving it alongside other fall desserts. Its combination of flavors and textures makes it a beloved choice for any occasion, ensuring it will be a hit at your Thanksgiving table. Food Network
7. Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie is a classic dessert characterized by its zesty lemon filling and fluffy meringue topping, all nestled in a flaky pie crust. The filling is typically made from fresh lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks, creating a bright and tangy custard that contrasts beautifully with the sweet meringue.
The meringue itself is made from whipped egg whites and sugar, which are beaten until stiff peaks form, then spread over the hot lemon filling to create a billowy top that is baked until lightly golden. This dessert is not only visually appealing but also offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures—tartness from the lemon, creaminess from the filling, and lightness from the meringue.
While some recipes suggest using pre-made crusts for convenience, traditionalists often prefer to make their own flaky crust from scratch. Lemon Meringue Pie is a popular choice for festive occasions like Thanksgiving. Taste of Home
8. Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler is a beloved dessert that showcases the natural sweetness of ripe peaches, often enhanced with a hint of cinnamon and sugar. The dish typically consists of a buttery crust or topping that is baked until golden brown, creating a delightful contrast to the juicy, tender peaches underneath.
The preparation is straightforward: fresh or canned peaches are mixed with sugar and spices, then layered in a baking dish, topped with a batter or crumble, and baked until bubbly.
This warm dessert is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, making it a comforting treat perfect for gatherings. AllRecipes
9. Banana Cream Pie
Banana Cream Pie is a classic dessert that features a creamy custard filling made from fresh bananas, layered in a flaky pie crust and topped with whipped cream. The filling typically includes ingredients like egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla, which are cooked together to create a smooth custard.
This mixture is poured over sliced bananas arranged in the crust, allowing the flavors to meld as it chills in the refrigerator. The pie is often finished with a generous layer of whipped cream, making it both visually appealing and deliciously indulgent.
This dessert is not only loved for its rich and creamy texture but also for its versatility; it can be made using various crusts such as traditional pastry, graham cracker, or Nilla wafer crusts.
While some recipes call for instant pudding for convenience, many purists prefer to make the custard from scratch for a more authentic flavor. Delish
10. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Roll
The Gluten-Free Pumpkin Roll is a delightful dessert that combines a moist pumpkin sponge cake with a rich cream cheese filling, all while being entirely gluten-free. Made with a blend of gluten-free flour, eggs, and pumpkin puree, the cake is light and fluffy, ensuring it rolls beautifully without cracking.
The process involves baking the sponge in a jelly roll pan, then cooling it before spreading the cream cheese filling and rolling it up. This dessert not only looks impressive but also offers a warm, spiced flavor that perfectly embodies the essence of fall.
Once chilled, the roll can be sliced and served as a stunning centerpiece for any Thanksgiving table, providing a delicious option for both gluten-free eaters and those who enjoy traditional desserts alike. Minimalist Baker
11. Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate Pumpkin Pie is a delightful twist on the traditional pumpkin pie, combining the rich flavors of chocolate with the classic spiced pumpkin filling. The pie features a buttery graham cracker crust that serves as a perfect base for the silky pumpkin mixture, which includes pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
After baking, the pie is topped with a smooth chocolate ganache made from semisweet chocolate and heavy cream, adding a luxurious layer that enhances the overall flavor profile. This combination of textures and tastes makes it a standout dessert for any holiday gathering.
Not only does Chocolate Pumpkin Pie offer a unique flavor experience, but it also appeals to both chocolate lovers and fans of traditional pumpkin pie. The preparation is relatively straightforward, making it accessible for home bakers. Food Network
12. Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Cheesecake is a delectable dessert that combines the rich, creamy texture of traditional cheesecake with the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin, making it a perfect treat for the fall season.
The base typically consists of cream cheese, sugar, and eggs, blended with pumpkin puree and flavored with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
This mixture is poured into a graham cracker crust, which adds a delightful crunch that complements the smooth filling. After baking, the cheesecake is chilled to allow the flavors to meld and achieve the ideal creamy consistency.
It can be topped with whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flair. Its rich taste and festive appearance make it a standout choice for any dessert table. Delish
13. Mango and Pumpkin Spice Cake
Mango and Pumpkin Spice Cake is a delightful dessert that combines the tropical sweetness of mango with the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin, making it an excellent choice for Thanksgiving.
The cake typically features a moist pumpkin base enriched with fresh or pureed mango, which adds a unique twist to the traditional pumpkin flavor profile. The addition of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger enhances the cake’s seasonal appeal, creating a comforting and aromatic treat that captures the essence of fall.
This cake is often topped with a creamy frosting, such as cream cheese or whipped cream, which complements the flavors beautifully. It can be served as a layered cake or as a single-layer dessert.
Mango and Pumpkin Spice Cake is not only visually appealing but also provides a refreshing alternative to more common holiday desserts, ensuring it stands out on any Thanksgiving table. Saveur
14. Cranberry Orange Cookies
The cookies are made by creaming together butter, sugar, and orange zest, which infuses the dough with a bright citrus aroma. Fresh or dried cranberries are folded into the dough, adding pops of tartness that contrast wonderfully with the sweetness of the cookie.
The dough is typically rolled into balls and can be coated in a mixture of sugar and orange zest before baking, resulting in a delightful sugary crust.
They can be enjoyed warm from the oven or at room temperature, and their bright flavors make them a refreshing alternative to heavier desserts. With no chilling required for the dough, they are quick and easy to prepare, allowing bakers to whip up a batch in no time. Taste of Home
15. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Made with a base of pumpkin puree, these cupcakes are infused with traditional pumpkin pie spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, creating a moist and flavorful dessert. The batter is simple to prepare, typically combining flour, sugar, eggs, and the pumpkin puree to yield a light and airy cupcake that rises beautifully in the oven.
Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes offer a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess that complements the spiced pumpkin flavor.
The cream cheese frosting is easy to whip up, requiring just cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract for a smooth and creamy finish. Pioneer Woman
16. Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Rolls
Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Rolls are a delightful and easy-to-make dessert that combines flaky crescent rolls with a sweet cinnamon filling. The recipe typically involves using store-bought crescent roll dough, which is rolled out and spread with a mixture of softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
Once the filling is evenly distributed, the dough is rolled up into a log and sliced into individual pieces before being baked until golden brown. These rolls are not only quick to prepare—taking about 20 minutes from start to finish—but they also deliver a warm, comforting flavor reminiscent of traditional cinnamon rolls.
After baking, the Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Rolls can be drizzled with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk for an extra touch of sweetness. Their combination of buttery, flaky texture with the warm spices makes them a favorite among both kids and adults, ensuring they disappear quickly from any table. I Heart Naptime
