Is it even Thanksgiving without a Thanksgiving dessert? This national winter holiday is begging for something deeply aromatic, frosted, and sticky sweet. In this article I include 27 show-stopping desserts that are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Perfect for entertaining and impressing a large crowd, these desserts are plain dazzling.
3 Thanksgiving Dessert Tips
My 3 top tips to avoid dessert-making stress and keep you in a thankful frame of mind.
Make Ahead
Make your dessert the day before or even a week before your party (if it can be frozen). Desserts can be pretty finnicky and sometimes they don’t turn out, just when you want them to! If you make them ahead of time, then you can relax closer to the time.
Keep it Simple
The last thing you need is to be dealing with lots of different thanksgiving desserts or components or garnishes. Stick to one spectacular dessert, such as a large cake, and let your focus be making that really delicious. If you spread yourself over lots of different treats, they could turn out mediocre. All people need is one really amazing dessert to make them impressed. Then, just buy ice cream or whipped cream to pair with it.
Think about your guests
It is so common in this age to be sensitive to nuts, dairy, gluten, or even eggs! Thankfully, there are also a wealth of delicious thanksgiving desserts that don’t contain any of these. Do your research with plenty of time to plan and execute – that will save a lot of stress on the day!
27 Classic Thanksgiving Desserts
Pumpkin Pie
A classic with a spiced pumpkin filling and flaky crust. In this recipe from Butternut Bakery, Rich and creamy pumpkin pie filling is baked with a layer of candied pecans – all atop an incredibly flaky pie crust.
Pecan Pie
Rich and sweet with a gooey pecan topping. This recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is the perfect combination of sweet and salty—after one taste, you’ll know why it’s a favorite dessert recipe!
Apple Crisp
Warm spiced apples with a buttery oat topping, this apple crisp recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking is totally out of this world.
Sweet Potato Pie
Creamy and slightly sweet, with a hint of nutmeg. This old-fashioned Sweet Potato Pie recipe from Preppy Kitchen is a classic dish for your Thanksgiving or holiday dinner. This is a Southern favorite, made with simple ingredients and flavored with warm autumn spices.
Cranberry Orange Cheesecake
There is no better way to ring in the holidays than this Cranberry Orange Cheesecake from The Recipe Critic. Infused with a cranberry sauce that takes this dessert to another level, it is sure to be the talk of your party!
Maple Walnut Cake
The delicious combination of maple and walnuts makes its way into a moist layer cake in this Maple Walnut Cake with Maple Frosting from Broma Bakery.
Gingerbread Cookies
These Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies from Cloudy Kitchen are fun and easy to make. Made with a spicy gingerbread dough, they are crisp around the edges and soft in the middle, and make the most perfect cut-out cookies.
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
This Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie recipe from Butternut Bakery is even more delicious than it sounds. The extra gooey filling is loaded with chocolate and a hint of bourbon. It adds an extra depth of flavor atop a classic homemade pie crust. It’s the perfect centerpiece dessert for your Thanksgiving table!
Pumpkin Roll
A spongy pumpkin cake rolled with a cream cheese filling, this recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch has the best soft texture and flavor.
Cinnamon Apple Cake
I couldn’t have a list of desserts without a sourdough cake recipe! This delicious Cinnamon Apple Cake has an aromatic spicy flavour with a delicious creamy frosting.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
A comforting dessert with a custardy texture and spiced pumpkin flavor. This Pumpkin Bread Pudding from Carl’s Bad Cravings makes a delectable crowd-pleasing alternative dessert for Thanksgiving that melts in your mouth and fills your being with happiness
Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
When a lusciously creamy and rich chocolate filling gives way to an intensely nutty and crunchy hazelnut crust, it’s true dessert perfection. This recipe from Cooking for Keeps is super easy and SO delicious!
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Creamy cheesecake with caramelized apples and a caramel topping. This recipe from yours truly is healthier with a low-fat yoghurt filling.
Pear Almond Cake
A lovely pear cake, made with fresh pears, nestled in a lightly sweet and moist almond cake, is the perfect light Thanksgiving dessert, from Seasons and Suppers.
Butterscotch Pudding
This butterscotch pudding recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is luxuriously creamy, velvet-rich, and totally unforgettable with salted caramel and fresh whipped cream on top.
Spiced Carrot Cake
A moist cake with warming spices and cream cheese frosting, this recipe from yours truly is a perfect Thanksgiving treat!
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
The ultra-moist, tender vanilla cake is studded with pineapple pieces and infused with pineapple juice. You’ll love this fool-proof recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.
Chocolate Pumpkin Cake
A rich chocolate cake with a subtle pumpkin flavor, this recipe from I Am Baker is packed with rich decadent flavor and a super fun presentation. The magical combination of pumpkin and chocolate is intensified with the smooth, creamy textures in this perfect recipe.
Apple Cider Donuts
Homemade apple cider donuts are cakey, dense, and intensely flavored. Baked, not fried, these fall treats come together quickly and easily—a convenient recipe with no mixer required.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
These Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes from I Am Baker are an edible version of the popular coffee drink, made with pure pumpkin and espresso, frosted with a creamy espresso buttercream frosting.
Nutmeg and Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Rich, creamy rice pudding is delicious warm or cold, and lightly spiced with just a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s the coziest, most comforting dessert of all.
Cranberry Almond Cake
This cranberry almond cake is wonderfully moist, has a lovely slightly dense texture, and is topped off with a simple almond glaze. It’s surprisingly easy to make and can be made traditionally, gluten-free or dairy-free.
Chestnut Mont Blanc
A French dessert with sweetened chestnut puree and whipped cream, this variation from The Hungry Bites includes a velvety white chocolate custard and some savoiyardi biscuits.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are the easier and less fussy version of pumpkin cheesecake. This recipe from Sugar Spun Run uses just 12 ingredients, comes together quickly, and is made WITHOUT a water bath!
Ginger Pear Crisp
This Pear Ginger Crisp is the most incredible crisp you’ll ever eat – it’s so easy, incredibly flavorful, and it has a touch of spice from the fresh ginger. It’s perfect to enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Maple Pecan Pralines
This 5-ingredient Maple Candied Pecans recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and perfect for snacking, sprinkling on salads, and giving as homemade holiday gifts.
Tiramisu Trifle
Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone, and cocoa, this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker has all the fabulous flavors of classic tiramisu, but without the hassle of making a custard.
