Thanksgiving dessert ideas are always a highlight of my holiday menu planning.
Every year, I look forward to seeing which treats my family gravitates toward, and it’s always a mix of classic favorites and a few new recipes I’m excited to try out.
Last Thanksgiving, I brought out a tray with bite-sized apple pies, little pecan tarts, and a creamy pumpkin milkshake – and watched everyone’s faces light up.
It was perfect for anyone who wanted a taste of everything without feeling stuffed!
It’s all about having those cozy, comforting flavors everyone loves but with a little twist that keeps them asking for more.
Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
Thanksgiving dessert ideas are such a fun part of planning the holiday meal.
I love coming up with a mix of traditional favorites and a few fresh, creative treats to keep everyone excited for dessert!
1. Classic Pumpkin Pie
For a classic pumpkin pie, combine canned pumpkin, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves.
Pour into a pie shell, and bake until the filling sets. Let it cool before serving.
Serve it with whipped cream, and you’ve got a Thanksgiving staple!
2. Apple Crisp
To make apple crisp, slice up some Granny Smith apples, toss with sugar and cinnamon, and add a buttery oat topping.
Bake until the apples are soft and the top is golden and crunchy.
It’s perfect warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
3. Pecan Pie Bars
These fall dessert bars are everything I love about pecan pie in an easy-to-serve form!
Start with a shortbread crust, then pour over a mix of chopped pecans, brown sugar, and a corn syrup filling.
Bake until the filling is just set, then cut into bars for a handheld treat.
4. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
For mini cheesecakes, start with a simple graham cracker crust pressed into a muffin tin.
Top with a pumpkin cheesecake filling made from cream cheese, pumpkin puree, sugar, and spices.
Bake until just set, then chill.
They’re perfect little bites of Thanksgiving flavor!
5. Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie is a cozy twist on the traditional pumpkin pie.
Blend cooked sweet potatoes with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of vanilla.
Pour into a pie crust, bake until set, and serve it with whipped cream.
6. Cranberry Apple Crumble
I love making this crumble because it’s so simple but full of flavor.
Combine fresh cranberries and apple slices with sugar and a bit of lemon juice.
Top with an oat crumble mix and bake until bubbly and golden.
The tart cranberries balance out the sweetness perfectly!
For a fun breakfast option with cranberries, check out my orange cranberry muffin recipe.
7. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
For a richer take on pecan pie, mix melted chocolate and a splash of bourbon into the filling.
Pour it over a classic pie crust with pecans, and bake until set.
The chocolate and bourbon add depth that’s unforgettable.
8. Maple Pumpkin Tartlets
Using pre-made tart shells, these tartlets come together quickly.
Fill each shell with a mix of pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and spices, then bake until set.
They’re an adorable twist on the classic pumpkin pie!
9. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These bars are a perfect blend of cheesecake and caramel apple pie.
Start with a graham cracker crust, top with a layer of apple slices, add cheesecake filling, and bake.
Drizzle with caramel sauce once cooled.
They’re creamy, fruity, and perfect for fall!
10. Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding
Dice up day-old cinnamon rolls and toss them in an egg and milk mixture with a dash of vanilla.
Bake until golden and puffy. Top with a cream cheese glaze or drizzle maple syrup over it.
It’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
11. Pumpkin Spice Truffles
For truffles, combine cream cheese and pumpkin puree with pumpkin pie spice and graham cracker crumbs.
Roll into balls, chill, and dip in melted chocolate.
Once set, these little bites are full of pumpkin spice flavor.
12. Apple Cider Donut Cake
Use apple cider to flavor this moist, spiced bundt cake.
Bake until golden, then brush with melted butter and roll it in cinnamon sugar.
It tastes just like those cider donuts from the farm!
13. Salted Caramel Apple Pie
This twist on classic apple pie adds salted caramel for extra richness.
Layer apple slices with caramel in a pie crust, and bake until bubbly and golden.
The salted caramel takes this pie to the next level.
14. Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
This bundt cake has a bright, festive flavor from fresh cranberries and orange zest.
Bake until golden, then drizzle with an orange glaze for a sweet-tart finishing touch.
15. Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
For this easy bread, add pumpkin puree and cocoa powder to a spiced quick bread mix.
Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
It’s moist, chocolatey, and has just the right amount of pumpkin spice.
16. Butterscotch Pudding Parfaits
Layer butterscotch pudding with crushed graham crackers and whipped cream in small cups or jars.
Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts for a bit of crunch.
These parfaits are simple to make but look impressive.
17. Pumpkin Roll Cake
To make a pumpkin roll, bake a thin layer of spiced pumpkin cake, spread with cream cheese frosting, then roll it up.
Chill it, then slice into perfect rounds.
It’s a dessert that always wows guests!
18. Gingerbread Cookies
These cookies bring out all the flavors of the season.
Place them on a cookie sheet by the spoonful and bake.
Decorate with icing if you want, or keep them simple—they’re delicious either way.
19. Mini Apple Pies
Use muffin tins to make these mini pies.
Line each cup with pie dough, add apple filling, and top with a second piece of dough.
Bake until golden brown.
They’re just the right size for a sweet treat!
20. Maple Walnut Blondies
I always reach for these blondies when I want something a little different.
Stir chopped walnuts and maple syrup into a simple blondie batter, bake until golden, and cut into squares.
They’re sweet, chewy, and full of fall flavor.
21. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy with just a hint of pumpkin spice.
Mix pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and chocolate chips into your usual cookie dough, and bake.
They’re perfect for snacking!
22. No-Bake Cheesecake with Cranberry Sauce
Make a simple no-bake cheesecake with a graham cracker crust.
Top with homemade cranberry sauce, and chill until set.
It’s a refreshing and fruity dessert that’s lighter than traditional cheesecake.
23. Apple Pie Bars
These bars are easy to slice and serve.
Start with a shortbread crust, add a layer of cinnamon apples, then top with a crumbly streusel.
Bake until golden and let cool before slicing.
24. Pumpkin Pie Milkshake
Blend pumpkin puree, vanilla ice cream, milk, and pumpkin pie spice for a creamy, pumpkin-flavored shake.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon—it’s a fun twist on pumpkin pie.
25. Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Sweet potato puree makes this cheesecake extra creamy.
Bake with a graham cracker crust, and top with whipped cream.
It’s a cozy, slightly unexpected take on cheesecake.
26. Caramel Apple Tart
For a quick tart, layer apple slices over a sheet of puff pastry, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake.
Drizzle caramel over the top when it’s done for a beautiful, easy dessert.
And if you want you can also make some caramel apple cookies too for your guests to take home.
27. Cranberry White Chocolate Bark
This bark is a festive treat that’s so easy to make.
Melt white chocolate, stir in dried cranberries, and spread it on parchment paper.
Let it set, then break into pieces.
28. Pumpkin Bread Pudding
To make this bread pudding, soak cubes of bread in a mixture of pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, and spices.
Bake until set and serve with whipped cream or caramel sauce.
29. Maple Pecan Fudge
This creamy fudge combines maple syrup and pecans for a rich, buttery treat.
Boil together sugar, butter, and syrup, then stir in pecans and let it set in a lined pan.
30. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
These cupcakes are everything you love about pumpkin spice in cupcake form.
Bake spiced batter, then top with a tangy cream cheese frosting.
31. Apple Dumplings
Wrap apple halves in pie dough, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake until golden.
Serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce for a dessert that’s as cozy as it gets.
32. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
For a twist on the classic pineapple version, place cranberries in the bottom of a cake pan, pour batter over the top, and bake.
Flip it out for a beautiful, ruby-colored topping.
33. Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts
These tarts are small but mighty.
Fill tart shells with a layer of caramel, top with chocolate ganache, and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
They’re rich and totally decadent!
34. Pumpkin Cream Puffs
I love filling cream puffs with a pumpkin custard for Thanksgiving.
Bake the shells, let them cool, then pipe in the pumpkin filling.
They’re unique and always impress.
35. Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
Add chai spice to snickerdoodle dough for a warm, spiced twist.
Roll in cinnamon sugar and bake until soft and chewy.
They’re just right for fall!
36. Rustic Pear Galette
This galette has all the charm of pie without the fuss.
Place pear slices on a rolled-out pie crust, fold the edges over, and bake until golden.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
37. Apple Pie Crescent Rolls
I keep it simple with these apple pie crescents.
Roll apple slices in crescent roll dough, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake.
They’re quick, easy, and taste like little apple pies.
38. Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats
For a seasonal twist on Rice Krispie treats, add pumpkin spice to the marshmallow mixture, then stir in cereal.
Press into a pan and cut into squares once set.
Sweet Endings: Make Your Thanksgiving Dessert Unforgettable
As everyone gathers around for Thanksgiving, eating turkey and the best tasting sides they can’t wait to the that last course. This is a mix of cozy classics and a few unexpected treats can really make Thanksgiving feel special.
Dessert is the perfect moment to linger, share a few laughs, and maybe even sneak a second slice of pie.
Whether you’re going for simple no-bake options or pulling out all the stops with layered treats, these ideas will make the end of your Thanksgiving meal just as memorable as the main feast!
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