24 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes to Wow Your Guests (2024)

Looking for the best Thanksgiving desserts? These easy recipes are the perfect end to your turkey feast!

I love turkey and the stuffing, but no Thanksgiving meal is complete without dessert! From pies to cakes to cookies, these desserts will satisfy every craving.

Impress your guests with these tried-and-true holiday classics.

More Holiday Favorites: Thanksgiving Side Dishes, Thanksgiving Cakes, Thanksgiving Appetizers, Thanksgiving Cookies, & Thanksgiving Pies

Thanksgiving Desserts to Die For

These Thanksgiving desserts are the perfect end to your holiday feast. Let’s get cooking!

1. Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

Looking for something warm and comforting that feeds your soul and makes the house smell heavenly all day long?

This old-fashioned apple crisp makes the perfect Thanksgiving dessert. Especially if you top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This warm bowl of comfort is packed with fresh apples, warm spices, and a crispy oatmeal crumb topping.

2. Crustless Cranberry Pie

This festive cranberry pie is evidence that not all pies need a crust to be mind-blowing.

A cross between a pie, cake, and blondie, this cranberry-filled treat will get your taste buds tingling.

It has the perfect balance of sweet and tart. And since it’s crustless, it has fewer calories than other pies.

That may not be a primary concern over the holidays, though! 😉

3. Turkey Cupcakes

Looking for a fun Thanksgiving activity to do with the kids? Look no further. These turkey cupcakes are ridiculously charming, delicious, and so much fun!

There’s also zero baking involved, making them a wonderfully easy Thanksgiving dessert.

All you need are store-bought frosted cupcakes, Nutter Butters, candy eyeballs, Reese’s Pieces, candy corn, and sprinkles!

4. Pumpkin Dump Cake

Too busy to make something fancy for Thanksgiving? Pumpkin dump cake can save the day.

A dump cake is an effortless dessert made by dumping cans of fruit in a pan and sprinkling cake mix over it.

All that’s left is to pop it in the oven, and you’ll have the most decadent, fruity dessert!

5. Pumpkin Roll

We can’t talk about dessert recipes for Thanksgiving without mentioning the pumpkin roll.

It’s the taste of fall with a delicious cream cheese filling. Every bite is like a little slice of Heaven.

Although it may look intimidating, it’s surprisingly easy to make! Plus, I’ve got a little trick that makes this recipe mess-free.

Instead of the old “towel method” our parents used, roll the pumpkin cake inside the parchment paper it bakes on. It’s far simpler and less messy.

6. Mini Cranberry Orange Upside Down Cakes

I’m sure you’ve had pineapple upside-down cake at least once or twice in your life. But these mini cranberry orange upside-down cakes are a whole other beast.

They’re gorgeous and perfectly sized for a simple, single-serve presentation. But there’s nothing miniature about their flavor.

Each one is absolutely bursting with enough cranberry and citrus flavor to flood a house!

7. Impossible Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without homemade pumpkin pie! It is the classic Thanksgiving dessert.

And this one is velvety smooth and perfectly spiced.

But it is a little different. There’s no curst! Instead, you’ll make a magical concoction with Bisquick that somehow turn into a pie in the oven.

Pretty neat, huh?

8. Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

Choosing between sweet potato and pecan pies is sheer agony for me. I love them both so much and never want to give up one for the other.

Of course, I also don’t want to indulge in both, as that’s definitely caloric overload. So, what do I do? Simple!

I combine both into one insanely delectable holiday pie. You’re welcome!

9. Cheesecake Brownies

Looking for easy desserts to impress your guests this holiday season? You can never go wrong with brownies.

Especially these decadent cheesecake brownies.

They’re thick and fudgy, with a rich cheesecake swirl running throughout. And best of all, you’ll make them with only four simple ingredients.

It doesn’t get much more convenient than that!

10. Dutch Apple Pie

Dutch apple pie is a classic apple pie variation consisting of a sweet apple filling with a crumbly buttery streusel topping.

You’ll adore its rich, crumbly crust and gently spiced, fruity filling. And don’t even get me started on that extra-rich streusel topping!

Top it with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or caramel sauce for even more deliciousness.

11. Caramel Pecan Bundt Cake

Bundt cakes aren’t one of your typical Thanksgiving dessert recipes.

But you’ll top this one with a brown sugar-infused caramel glaze and chopped pecans, so it’ll fit right in.

Despite its elegant appearance, it’s relatively easy to make. You’ll start with a boxed cake mix for convenience.

Then, you’ll need only four ingredients for the glaze and the pecans. Simple!

12. Patti LaBelle’s Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie is a classic southern dish that always brings joy to my heart. And if anyone knows how to make it right, it’s Patti LaBelle!

One bite of this sweet pie brings warmth and comfort to everyone who tries it, and it’s a cinch to make. It’s a from-scratch pie that takes only 30 MINUTES of prep time!

13. Texas Pecan Pie

Everyone needs a pecan pie recipe in their repertoire. If you haven’t found yours yet, look no further.

This recipe gives you everything you can ask for in the traditional holiday dessert. It’s the perfect combo of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy.

They say everything’s better in Texas. I don’t know about that, but it’s certainly true of this pie.

14. Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie

Sweet and delectable pie that only takes 10 minutes to prepare? Sounds impossible, but it’s true.

Buttermilk pie is a classic Southern dessert with a creamy, custard-like filling and a crunchy topping.

Made with buttermilk, sugar, eggs, and flour, it resembles a crème brûlée. And it’s so good, people will think you’ve spent hours in the kitchen making it!

15. Apple Pie Cupcakes

Apple pie in cupcake form. How adorable is that?!

These cupcakes feature a cinnamon roll base, apple pie filling, and a crisp walnut brown sugar topping.

It’s impossible not to love! They’re stunning, delicious, and fun to eat.

Since we’re using a pre-made cinnamon roll for the base and a store-bought apple pie filling, it’s also effortless to make.

16. Pumpkin Cobbler

Peach and blackberry cobblers are amazing, but pumpkin cobbler makes a better Thanksgiving dessert recipe.

It has the same incredible cobbler texture as all the others but is full of pumpkin and fall spices. It’s quick and easy to make, too.

You’ll spend about 10 minutes prepping it, then it’ll need another 50 in the oven. Easy peasy!

17. Butter Toffee Cookies

Most people have heard of butter pecan cookies, but what about butter toffee cookies? Though less well-known, they’re every bit as delicious.

You’ll love their thin, crackly appearance, chewy texture, and indulgently sweet flavor. There’s plenty of toffee and brown sugar in every bite.

Plus, they have that same buttery mouthfeel as all your favorite cookies.

18. Pumpkin Milkshake

Are you in the mood for the ultimate Thanksgiving drink? Look no further. Go ahead, indulge yourself. You deserve it!

Vanilla ice cream, milk, pumpkin pie filling, fall spices, and whipped cream. Plus, a little brown sugar for extra sweetness.

Imagine all of those flavors blended into one thick and luscious beverage. This pumpkin milkshake will knock your socks off.

19. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

This dense, super-sweet bread is for anyone who loves banana bread or zucchini bread. It has a similar texture and the same rich sweetness.

The cinnamon and nutmeg make it smell as wonderful as it tastes. And the ooey-gooey chocolate chips add that little extra oomph.

Trust me, just try it. You won’t be sad that you did.

20. Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

There’s nothing I like more than a soft, sweet, oversized cookie. Except for maybe a soft, sweet, oversized cookie smothered in cream cheese frosting.

That’s precisely what these cookies are. Every bite is like a little taste of pumpkin spice and cream cheese Heaven. Your guests will LOVE it.

21. Apple Crisp Cheesecake

This creamy cheesecake is topped with cinnamon apples, caramel sauce, and a crumble topping.

It combines everything we love about cheesecake and apple crisp into one delicious package.

It’s all your favorite fall flavors packed into the perfect dessert. Serve it with whipped cream and some caramel drizzle for the perfect topping.

22. Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake has always been one of those love-it/hate-it desserts for me. When it’s done right, I adore it! I could eat the whole cake by myself.

Unfortunately, it’s usually not done right. People get it far too dry and crumbly. If that sounds like you, this recipe is for you.

It’ll help you turn out moist, flavorful carrot cake every time.

23. Pumpkin Chocolate Cake

This cake is stunningly beautiful and – in the right setting – even a little spooky. It’s robust pumpkin and chocolate flavors make it perfect for Thanksgiving.

However, you could just as easily whip up this black and orange masterpiece for Halloween. People will love it, no matter the occasion.

24. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

When it comes to holiday dessert recipes, you can never have too many pumpkin-flavored treats. So, let’s end this list with one more.

These pumpkin cheesecake bars are rich, indulgent, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy.

They also look as good as they taste. Their elegant appearance makes them the perfect treat for any occasion, even formal holiday dinners.

Did You Make Any of These Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes?

Have you made any of these Thanksgiving desserts? If so, I’d love to know! Leave a comment below. Or let me know on Pinterest. What are your favorite holiday desserts?

24 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour

Calories

283

kcal

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without dessert! One of my favorites is homemade pumpkin pie. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 (9-inch) unbaked deep-dish pie crust

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 2 eggs

• 1 (15-oz) can Libby’s pure pumpkin puree

• 1 (12-fluid oz) evaporated milk

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a small bowl, stir together sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs and add in the pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture.
• Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour mixture into the pie crust.
• Bake the pie for 15 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. To tell if it’s done, give the pie a little shake. The edges should be dry. The middle should be set, but still a little wobbly.
• Cool the pie on a wire rack for 2 hours. Enjoy!
• You can store the pie in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be sure to cover in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also freeze the pie for up to a month, wrapped in several layers of plastic wrap. Defrost in the fridge for 12 hours before serving.