Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones and sharing comforting, home-cooked food—and nothing makes the holiday more memorable than a table full of irresistible desserts.
Beyond the classic pumpkin pie, there’s a world of sweet treats you can serve to delight your guests.
Below are eleven Thanksgiving dessert ideas that range from warm, cozy bakes to elegant, crowd-pleasing treats.
These desserts are easy to follow, beautifully seasonal, and perfect for rounding out your Thanksgiving feast.
1. Classic Pumpkin Pie
A timeless Thanksgiving favorite with a smooth, spiced pumpkin filling in a flaky crust. The aroma alone signals the start of the holidays.
Ingredients:
- Pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- Pumpkin puree
- Eggs
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves
- Heavy cream or evaporated milk
Instructions:
Prepare the Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, and spices. Gradually stir in cream until smooth.
Assemble the Pie
Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and smooth the top.
Bake and Cool
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45–50 minutes until the center is slightly set. Allow to cool before slicing and serve with whipped cream.
2. Pecan Pie Bars
These rich bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a gooey, caramel-like pecan layer. Easier than traditional pecan pie, but just as satisfying.
Ingredients:
- Flour and butter (for crust)
- Brown sugar
- Corn syrup or maple syrup
- Eggs
- Chopped pecans
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
Make the Shortbread Base
Mix flour, butter, and a bit of sugar to form a crumbly dough. Press into a baking pan and bake until lightly golden.
Prepare Topping
Whisk eggs, syrup, sugar, and vanilla. Stir in chopped pecans and pour over baked crust.
Bake Again
Return to oven until bubbly and set. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
3. Apple Crisp
Warm baked apples topped with a crunchy oat crumble make a comforting dessert that tastes like fall in every bite.
Ingredients:
- Apples (peeled, sliced)
- Sugar and cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Oats
- Flour
- Butter
Instructions:
Season the Apples
Toss apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Spread evenly in a baking dish.
Make the Crumble
Mix oats, flour, sugar, and cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apples.
Bake Until Golden
Bake at 350°F (175°C) until apples are tender and topping is crispy. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
A cozy southern-style pie with a silky sweet potato filling, often spiced similarly to pumpkin pie but slightly earthier and richer.
Ingredients:
- Pie crust
- Cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
- Eggs
- Brown sugar
- Milk or cream
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla
Instructions:
Blend the Filling
Combine mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, eggs, and spices. Stir in milk until smooth and creamy.
Fill and Bake
Pour into the crust and bake until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned. Let cool before serving.
5. Cranberry Orange Loaf
A moist, citrusy loaf cake packed with tart cranberries and topped with a light glaze. Perfect for afternoon tea or as a warm dessert with custard.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Orange zest and juice
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Baking powder
Instructions:
Make the Batter
Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs, orange zest, and juice. Mix in dry ingredients and fold in cranberries.
Bake
Pour into a loaf pan and bake until golden and cooked through. Optionally, drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze once cooled.
6. Pumpkin Cheesecake
A fusion of creamy cheesecake and spiced pumpkin flavor with a graham cracker crust. Decadent and impressive for guests.
Ingredients:
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Cream cheese
- Pumpkin puree
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Cinnamon, cloves, ginger
- Butter
Instructions:
Build the Crust
Mix graham crumbs with melted butter and press into a springform pan.
Blend Filling
Beat cream cheese with sugar, then add pumpkin and spices. Add eggs last until just combined.
Bake and Chill
Bake in a water bath until set. Cool and refrigerate for several hours before slicing.
7. Maple Walnut Fudge
Soft, melt-in-your-mouth fudge flavored with maple and full of crunchy walnuts. It’s rich, sweet, and perfect for gifting or sharing.
Ingredients:
- White chocolate or fudge base
- Maple extract or syrup
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Chopped walnuts
Instructions:
Heat and Stir
Melt white chocolate with condensed milk on low heat, stirring until smooth. Add a splash of maple and mix well.
Add Nuts and Cool
Stir in walnuts, pour into a lined dish, and let set until firm. Slice into squares to serve.
8. Chocolate Cream Pie
A silky chocolate pudding-like filling in a cookie or pastry crust, topped with whipped cream. Rich, smooth, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- Pie crust (chocolate cookie crust works well)
- Milk or cream
- Cocoa powder
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Egg yolks
- Butter and vanilla
Instructions:
Cook the Filling
Whisk sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch in a saucepan with milk. Cook until thick, then temper and add egg yolks. Stir in butter and vanilla.
Fill and Chill
Pour filling into crust, smooth the top, and chill until firm. Top with whipped cream before serving.
9. Caramel Bread Pudding
Made with cubed bread soaked in custard and baked until golden, this dessert is luscious and warmly spiced. Caramel sauce adds a decadent finish.
Ingredients:
- Bread cubes (day-old bread works best)
- Eggs
- Milk or cream
- Sugar and vanilla
- Cinnamon or nutmeg
- Caramel sauce
Instructions:
Prepare Custard
Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and spices.
Soak the Bread
Pour custard over bread cubes in a dish and let them soak for several minutes.
Bake and Serve
Bake until puffed and golden. Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
10. Pumpkin Roll Cake
A spiced pumpkin sponge cake rolled around a sweet cream cheese filling. It looks fancy, slices beautifully, and tastes like a fall dream.
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin puree
- Flour, sugar
- Eggs
- Cinnamon, nutmeg
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
Instructions:
Bake the Cake
Mix pumpkin batter, spread thin on a baking sheet, and bake until just done.
Roll Warm
Immediately roll the cake up in a clean towel to shape it. Let cool.
Fill and Re-roll
Unroll, spread cream cheese filling, then roll again gently. Chill, then dust with powdered sugar before slicing.
11. Apple Cider Donuts
Soft, fluffy donuts flavored with reduced apple cider and coated in cinnamon sugar. Cozy, seasonal, and perfect with a hot beverage.
Ingredients:
- Apple cider (reduced for a stronger flavor)
- Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon sugar for coating
Instructions:
Make the Dough
Reduce the cider on the stove by half, then mix it with butter, sugar, eggs, and dry ingredients.
Shape and Bake/Fry
Cut the dough into donut shapes. Either bake or fry until golden brown.
Coat While Warm
Toss warm donuts in cinnamon sugar so it sticks, and enjoy them while fresh.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving desserts don’t end with pumpkin pie. From cozy bread puddings to elegant cheesecakes and nostalgic treats like apple cider donuts, there’s a sweet option for every taste.
These 11 dessert ideas bring warmth, seasonal flavor, and a homemade touch to your holiday table.