Desserts

20 Must-Try Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas for an Unforgettable Feast

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Thanksgiving is basically a holiday built around one thing: food. Sure, turkey and stuffing get most of the spotlight, but let’s be honest—dessert steals the show. Pumpkin pies, gooey chocolate treats, caramel-drizzled goodies… these are the things people fight over when no one’s looking.

I’ve baked, tasted, and (let’s not lie) devoured way too many Thanksgiving desserts, and I’ve compiled 20 of the absolute best ideas that will wow your guests without stressing you out. Trust me, even if your pie crust skills are questionable, there’s something here for you.

Grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s dive into these festive, sweet, and totally drool-worthy desserts.

1. Classic Pumpkin Pie

Nothing says Thanksgiving like classic pumpkin pie. It’s smooth, creamy, and perfectly spiced—a true crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 can (12 fl oz) evaporated milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, sugar, salt, and spices. Beat in eggs. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
  3. Pour filling into pie crust.
  4. Bake 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce to 350°F and bake 40–50 minutes until knife inserted comes out clean.
  5. Cool before serving with whipped cream.

Tip: Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top for that Pinterest-worthy look.

2. Pecan Pie with Bourbon Twist

Sweet, nutty, and sticky, pecan pie is a Thanksgiving classic. Add bourbon, and suddenly it’s fancy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
  • 2 tbsp bourbon (optional, but highly recommended)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Whisk corn syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, and bourbon until smooth.
  3. Stir in pecans and pour into pie crust.
  4. Bake 50–60 minutes until set. Let cool before slicing.

Pro tip: Serve with vanilla ice cream for maximum “OMG” factor.

3. Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Streusel

If you want warm, comforting flavors with minimal effort, apple crisp is your friend.

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
  2. Toss apples with half of the sugar and spices. Place in dish.
  3. Mix remaining sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter for topping. Sprinkle over apples.
  4. Bake 40–45 minutes until golden. Serve warm with ice cream.

FYI: No pie crust stress here—just cozy, gooey goodness.

4. Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie is like pumpkin pie’s earthier cousin—perfectly creamy and subtly spiced.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked pie crust
  • 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat sweet potatoes and butter until smooth. Mix in sugar, milk, eggs, spices, and vanilla.
  3. Pour filling into pie crust and bake 55–60 minutes until firm. Cool before slicing.

Tip: Toasted pecans on top = next-level presentation.

5. Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake

Cranberries + orange = fall in cake form. Bundt pans make slicing easy, too.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs, vanilla, juice, and zest.
  3. Fold dry ingredients and cranberries into wet mix.
  4. Bake 50–55 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar for extra flair.

6. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Why choose between pumpkin pie and cheesecake when you can have both?

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix crust ingredients and press into pan.
  2. Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, and spices until smooth. Pour over crust.
  3. Bake 45–50 minutes. Chill 2 hours before cutting into bars.

7. Caramel Apple Tart

Crispy, sweet, and perfectly fall-themed, this tart is a showstopper.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 4 apples, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll puff pastry onto baking sheet.
  2. Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon; arrange on pastry.
  3. Fold edges over apples and bake 25–30 minutes until golden. Drizzle caramel before serving.

8. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Chocolate + bourbon + pecans = dessert perfection.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp bourbon

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix sugar, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla, and bourbon.
  2. Stir in chocolate and pecans. Pour into crust.
  3. Bake 50–60 minutes. Cool before slicing.

9. Maple Pecan Blondies

Blondies with maple syrup and pecans = cozy, chewy, and fall-approved.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch pan.
  2. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in pecans.
  3. Bake 25–30 minutes. Cool before slicing.

10. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Cupcakes > pies sometimes. And yes, they can be pumpkin spice perfection.

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs, pumpkin, and vanilla.
  3. Alternate folding in dry ingredients and buttermilk. Bake 20–25 minutes.

11. Cranberry White Chocolate Bark

This no-bake treat is colorful, crunchy, and super easy.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz white chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Melt white chocolate over low heat.
  2. Stir in cranberries, pecans, and salt.
  3. Spread on parchment paper; chill until set, then break into pieces.

12. Mini Apple Pies

Cute, handheld pies = bonus points at Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package pie crust
  • 2 cups diced apples
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut pie crust into small circles. Fill with apple mixture.
  3. Cover with another circle, crimp edges, bake 20–25 minutes until golden.

13. Chocolate Ganache Tart

Rich, silky, and perfect for serious chocolate lovers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 chocolate tart shell
  • 8 oz semisweet chocolate
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Heat cream until simmering. Pour over chocolate, stir until smooth.
  2. Pour into tart shell, chill 2 hours before serving.

14. Gingerbread Cake

Spicy, cozy, and perfect for fall flavor fans.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup hot water

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 pan.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. Cream butter, molasses, sugar, and eggs. Combine with dry mix and water. Bake 35–40 minutes.

15. Pumpkin Roll

Because sometimes cake + cream cheese filling = perfection.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup butter

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease jelly roll pan.
  2. Beat eggs and sugar, add pumpkin. Fold in dry ingredients. Bake 15–20 minutes.
  3. Roll warm cake in towel. Mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, spread inside, roll back.

16. Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Fried or baked, donuts are fall snack goals.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon for coating

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease donut pan.
  2. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, combine, fill pan. Bake 12–15 minutes.
  3. Coat warm donuts with cinnamon sugar.

17. Pear and Almond Tart

Elegant, easy, and impressively fancy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 2 pears, sliced
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll pastry, sprinkle almond flour, sugar, cinnamon.
  2. Arrange pears on top, sprinkle almonds. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.

18. Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart

Sweet + salty = thanksgiving dessert magic.

Ingredients:

  • 1 chocolate tart crust
  • 1 cup caramel sauce
  • 1 cup chocolate ganache
  • Sea salt for topping

Instructions:

  1. Pour caramel into crust, chill 15 minutes.
  2. Pour chocolate ganache over caramel. Sprinkle salt. Chill 2 hours.

19. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

For those who don’t want to turn on the oven but still want fall vibes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 16 oz cream cheese
  • 1 can pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1 cup whipped cream

Instructions:

  1. Mix crust ingredients, press into pan. Chill 10 minutes.
  2. Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, and spice. Fold in whipped cream. Spread on crust. Chill 2 hours.

20. Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Soft, chewy, and perfect for holiday snacking.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cream butter and sugars, beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients, fold in chocolate and cranberries.
  3. Drop by spoonfuls on baking sheet, bake 10–12 minutes.

Conclusion

There you have it—20 Thanksgiving dessert ideas that are cozy, festive, and irresistible. From classic pumpkin pie to decadent chocolate bourbon pies, there’s something here for every sweet tooth.

Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey; it’s about sharing good food, laughter, and desserts that make everyone’s day brighter. So preheat that oven, grab your whisk, and maybe don’t tell anyone how many bites you’ve already “sampled.” 😉

Happy baking! 🍁

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