24 Thanksgiving Desserts Ideas That’ll Steal the Show This Year
Thanksgiving without dessert? That’s basically a crime against humanity. Sure, turkey gets all the spotlight, but let’s be real—the real stars of Thanksgiving are the desserts.
Whether you’re team pumpkin pie or secretly ride-or-die for pecan, the table isn’t complete until it’s overloaded with sweets.
If you’re bored of the same old pies or you just want to flex your baking skills this year, I’ve got you covered.
Here are 24 Thanksgiving dessert ideas that’ll make your guests loosen their belts and beg for the recipes.
1. Classic Pumpkin Pie
You can’t have Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. It’s like watching football without chips and dip—just wrong. Stick with the tried-and-true recipe, or spice things up with ginger and nutmeg for extra warmth.
2. Pecan Pie
Sticky, nutty, and unapologetically sweet. Pecan pie is the sugar rush you didn’t know you needed. Pro tip: toast your pecans before baking. It makes a world of difference.
3. Apple Crisp
Ever wanted pie flavor without the hassle of making crust? Enter apple crisp. Juicy apples, buttery oat topping, a scoop of vanilla ice cream—done.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
Some folks will tell you it’s better than pumpkin pie. (I’m not starting fights, but… they might be right.) Creamy, rich, and spiced to perfection, sweet potato pie is a Southern classic that deserves a spot on your table.
5. Pumpkin Cheesecake
If pumpkin pie and cheesecake had a baby, this would be it. Pumpkin cheesecake feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to whip up. Bonus points if you top it with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
6. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
Not everything has to be pie, okay? Cranberry upside-down cake is tart, sweet, and gorgeous enough to be a centerpiece.
7. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Take your regular pecan pie and make it bougie. Add chocolate and bourbon, and suddenly everyone thinks you’re a pro baker.
8. Pumpkin Roll
This one always looks harder than it is. A soft pumpkin sponge cake rolled up with cream cheese filling? Trust me, it’ll disappear in minutes.
9. Apple Galette
A galette is basically pie’s low-maintenance cousin. Rustic, flaky, and easy enough that you don’t need to stress over perfect edges.
10. Maple Pecan Bars
Bars are underrated. They’re portable, easy to slice, and you can eat them with one hand while holding wine in the other. Maple pecan bars check every box.
11. Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Have leftover bread? Cube it up, soak it in pumpkin custard, and bake. Pumpkin bread pudding feels like comfort in a dish.
12. Caramel Apple Pie
Why settle for regular apple pie when you can drizzle in caramel? Caramel apple pie gives you that ooey-gooey texture that screams fall.
13. Pumpkin Tiramisu
Traditional tiramisu is great, but swap the coffee flavor with pumpkin spice, and boom—pumpkin tiramisu becomes your new Thanksgiving flex.
14. Brown Butter Blondies
Blondies are already amazing, but add brown butter and some cinnamon, and suddenly you’ve got a chewy, nutty dessert perfect for fall.
15. Cranberry Orange Cake
Bright, zesty, and a little tangy, this cranberry orange cake balances out the heavy pies with fresh flavor.
16. Pumpkin Cream Puffs
These little guys are bite-sized but pack a punch. Fill cream puffs with pumpkin-flavored pastry cream, and watch them vanish faster than the mashed potatoes.
17. Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie
Okay, I know I already mentioned pumpkin pie, but hear me out. Add salted caramel, and suddenly it feels brand new.
18. Chocolate Pumpkin Bread
If pumpkin bread and brownies had a fling, you’d get this. Chocolate pumpkin bread is rich, moist, and ridiculously addictive.
19. Pear and Almond Tart
Want to feel fancy without breaking your back in the kitchen? Try a pear and almond tart. It looks elegant, but it’s way easier than it appears.
20. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Not a fan of pies? Cupcakes to the rescue. Pumpkin cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting are perfect for portion control… or eating six in a row.
21. Bourbon Caramel Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is cozy, but when you add bourbon caramel sauce? Game over.
22. Pumpkin Mousse
Light, fluffy, and perfect if you’re already stuffed from turkey. Pumpkin mousse feels indulgent without weighing you down.
23. Maple Pumpkin Pie Bars
Take pumpkin pie, turn it into bars, and drizzle with maple glaze. Boom—maple pumpkin pie bars that travel well and taste like Thanksgiving.
24. Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
Sweet, tart, and creamy all in one bite. Cranberry cheesecake bars bring a fun twist to the dessert spread.
Tips to Make Your Thanksgiving Desserts Even Better
- Prep ahead: Bake pies the day before to save oven space.
- Balance flavors: Mix rich desserts (like pecan pie) with lighter ones (like cranberry mousse).
- Add toppings: Whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel drizzle makes everything better.
- Play with texture: Pair creamy desserts with crunchy toppings for contrast.
FAQs About Thanksgiving Desserts
Q: How many desserts should I serve at Thanksgiving?
A: IMO, at least two or three. People love variety, and it avoids family feuds over who gets the last slice.
Q: Can I make Thanksgiving desserts ahead of time?
A: Absolutely. Most pies, bars, and even cheesecakes taste better the next day. Just keep them covered in the fridge.
Q: What’s the easiest dessert for beginners?
A: Apple crisp. No pie crust, no stress, just delicious.
Q: What’s a good dessert for a big crowd?
A: Bars or bread pudding. You can slice them into as many portions as you need.
Q: Do I have to serve pie?
A: Nope! Tradition is great, but if you’d rather serve pumpkin tiramisu or cranberry cake, go for it.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving desserts don’t have to be stressful—or boring. From the classics like pumpkin and pecan pie to fun twists like pumpkin tiramisu and cranberry cheesecake bars, there’s something for every sweet tooth.
So pick a couple of these 24 Thanksgiving dessert ideas, roll up your sleeves, and get baking. After all, nobody remembers how dry the turkey was when dessert steals the spotlight.