Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and delicious food. The meal isn’t complete without a tasty dessert to round it off.

From classic pies to creative cakes, there are many options to satisfy your sweet tooth.

You’ll find plenty of recipes to choose from, whether you want to make something ahead of time or whip up a quick treat on the day. Some desserts are perfect for baking novices, while others offer a fun challenge for more skilled cooks.

No matter your skill level, you’re sure to find a dessert that will impress your guests and end the meal on a high note.

1. Pumpkin Pie with Maple Whipped Cream

Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving classic, and adding maple whipped cream takes it to the next level. You’ll love this twist on the traditional dessert.

Start with a flaky pie crust and fill it with a smooth pumpkin custard.

Mix pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, milk, and warm spices like cinnamon and ginger.

Pour the filling into the crust and bake until set.

For the maple whipped cream, simply whip heavy cream with a splash of maple syrup. The sweet, subtle maple flavor pairs perfectly with the spiced pumpkin.

Serve slices of the pie topped with a dollop of the maple whipped cream. Your guests will be impressed by this delicious autumn treat.

2. Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie bars are a tasty twist on the classic Thanksgiving dessert. You can make them easily in a baking pan, perfect for serving a crowd.

These bars have a buttery shortbread crust that balances the sweet, nutty topping. The filling is made with dark corn syrup and brown sugar for rich flavor.

To make pecan pie bars, start by baking the shortbread crust. Then pour the pecan filling on top and bake again. Let them cool before cutting into squares.

You’ll love how simple these are compared to traditional pecan pie. They’re just as delicious but easier to serve and eat.

3. Apple Crisp with Oat Topping

Apple crisp is a tasty Thanksgiving dessert. It has cooked apples topped with a crunchy oat mixture.

To make it, slice apples and mix them with sugar and spices. Put this in a baking dish.

For the topping, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add melted butter to make it crumbly.

Sprinkle this over the apples.

Bake until the topping is golden and the apples are soft. The smell will fill your kitchen.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Your guests will love this easy, comforting dessert.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a beloved Thanksgiving dessert. You’ll love its creamy texture and sweet flavor.

To make it, start by cooking and mashing sweet potatoes. Mix them with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and orange juice for extra flavor.

Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top it with a layer of fluffy marshmallows.

Bake the casserole until the marshmallows turn golden brown. The result is a delicious blend of creamy sweet potatoes and gooey marshmallows.

This dessert is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving table. It’s a perfect mix of sweet and savory flavors that everyone will enjoy.

5. Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding is a tasty Thanksgiving dessert. It mixes sweet and tart flavors for a festive treat.

You’ll love the mix of cranberries, orange zest, and bread soaked in custard. The dish bakes up golden brown and smells amazing.

Top it with a buttery orange glaze for extra flavor. Some recipes add crunchy walnuts too.

This dessert is easy to make ahead. It’s great for feeding a crowd at your holiday gathering.

6. Classic Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate cream pie is a must-have for Thanksgiving dessert. You’ll love its rich, smooth filling and flaky crust.

To make it, start with a pre-baked pie shell.

Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add milk and egg yolks, then cook until thick.

Pour the filling into the crust and chill. Before serving, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

This pie is sure to be a hit with chocolate lovers at your Thanksgiving table. The creamy texture and deep chocolate flavor make it irresistible.

7. Spiced Pear Galette

A spiced pear galette is a tasty twist on traditional Thanksgiving pies. This rustic dessert features a flaky crust filled with sweet pears and warm spices.

To make it, you’ll need pears, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Mix the filling and wrap it in a simple pastry dough.

The free-form shape makes this dessert easy to assemble. Just fold the edges over the filling and bake until golden brown.

Serve your pear galette warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It’s a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

8. Gingerbread Biscotti

Gingerbread biscotti brings a festive twist to your Thanksgiving dessert spread. These crunchy Italian cookies are perfect for dunking in coffee or tea after your holiday meal.

To make them, you’ll mix flour, baking powder, and spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Combine this with butter, sugar, and eggs to form a dough.

Shape the dough into logs and bake until golden. After cooling slightly, slice the logs diagonally and bake again until crisp. This double-baking process gives biscotti its signature crunch.

For extra flavor and texture, try adding bits of crystallized ginger to your biscotti. You can also drizzle them with white chocolate for a sweet finish.

9. Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Caramel apple cheesecake combines two classic fall flavors into one decadent dessert. The creamy cheesecake filling is infused with apple and cinnamon for a taste of autumn.

A graham cracker crust forms the base, often with cinnamon mixed in. Some recipes add sliced apples tossed in caramel sauce on top of the crust before adding the filling.

The cheesecake itself is made with cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and applesauce or apple juice for flavor. Brown sugar and cinnamon add warmth and spice.

Once baked and chilled, drizzle caramel sauce over the top. You can use store-bought sauce or make your own. For extra indulgence, add chopped apples or crushed gingersnaps as a topping.

10. Butterscotch Pudding Tart

Butterscotch pudding tart is a tasty twist on traditional pumpkin pie. It starts with a crisp crust made from crushed vanilla sandwich cookies and melted butter.

The creamy filling combines instant butterscotch pudding mix with milk for rich flavor. Cream cheese and powdered sugar add extra decadence.

A layer of whipped topping gives this dessert a light, airy texture. For the finishing touch, sprinkle chopped nuts on top for a bit of crunch.

This no-bake tart is easy to make ahead. It needs to chill for a few hours, so you can prep it the night before your Thanksgiving meal.

11. Maple Nut Tart

Maple nut tart is a sweet treat perfect for Thanksgiving. You can make this dessert easily with a few key ingredients.

Start by making a simple pastry crust. Roll it out and place it in a tart pan. Next, mix maple syrup, eggs, and cream to create a silky custard filling.

Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the crust. Pour the maple custard on top. Bake the tart until it’s golden brown and the filling is set.

Let the tart cool before serving. You can add a drizzle of melted chocolate on top for extra flavor. This dessert pairs well with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

12. Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

A chocolate hazelnut tart is a tasty choice for your Thanksgiving dessert table. It has a crunchy crust made with ground hazelnuts for extra flavor.

The filling is rich and creamy, made with chocolate and hazelnut spread. A layer of glossy chocolate ganache tops it off.

You can garnish the tart with toasted hazelnuts and a sprinkle of sea salt. This adds more crunch and brings out the flavors.

This dessert is easy to make but looks fancy. It’s perfect if you want to try something different from traditional pies this year.

13. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin cheesecake bars are a tasty twist on classic Thanksgiving desserts. They combine the rich flavors of pumpkin pie and creamy cheesecake in one easy-to-serve treat.

To make these bars, start with a graham cracker crust. Then add layers of vanilla cheesecake and pumpkin cheesecake. Bake everything together for a delicious dessert.

These bars are simpler to prepare than a full cheesecake. You can make them ahead of time, which is great for busy holiday schedules.

For extra flavor, try adding a streusel topping before baking. This adds a nice crunch to contrast with the smooth cheesecake layers.

14. Cranberry Mousse Parfait

Cranberry Mousse Parfait is a festive and elegant dessert perfect for your Thanksgiving table. This layered treat combines tart cranberry flavors with creamy sweetness.

To make it, mix cranberry sauce with condensed milk until it thickens. Layer this mixture in wine glasses or dessert cups.

Add a sprinkle of crumbled graham crackers between layers for texture. Top with whipped cream and a few fresh cranberries for a pop of color.

You can prepare these parfaits ahead of time and chill them until serving. They’re sure to impress your guests with their beautiful presentation and delicious taste.

15. Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins are a tasty treat that combines the best of donuts and muffins. These soft, homemade muffins are easy to make and perfect for Thanksgiving dessert.

To create these muffins, you’ll mix cinnamon and nutmeg into the batter. After baking, dip the tops in melted butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar. This gives them a sweet, crispy coating.

The result is a muffin that tastes like a Snickerdoodle cookie or a cinnamon sugar donut. They’re a bit healthier than traditional donuts but just as delicious.

You can make these muffins ahead of time, which is great for busy Thanksgiving preparations. They’re sure to be a hit with both kids and adults at your holiday gathering.

16. Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

Brown butter pecan cookies are a tasty twist on classic pecan pie. They’re perfect for your Thanksgiving dessert table.

To make these cookies, you’ll start by toasting pecans in the oven. This brings out their flavor.

Next, you’ll brown butter in a pan until it’s golden and smells nutty.

Mix the browned butter with sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Fold in the toasted pecans last.

Scoop the dough onto baking sheets and bake until the edges are golden. Let them cool before serving. These cookies have a rich, nutty taste that your guests will love.

History of Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanksgiving desserts have a rich history rooted in American traditions and regional cuisines. They reflect the country’s agricultural heritage and culinary influences from various immigrant groups.

Traditional Favorites

Pumpkin pie stands out as the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert. Its origins trace back to early American colonists who adapted native squash into sweet dishes. By the 19th century, pumpkin pie became firmly associated with Thanksgiving celebrations.

Apple pie also holds a special place in Thanksgiving history. Early settlers brought apple seeds to America, leading to widespread orchards. The phrase “as American as apple pie” highlights its cultural significance.

Pecan pie emerged as a Southern favorite in the late 1800s. Its popularity spread nationwide, becoming a beloved Thanksgiving staple. The nutty, sweet filling paired perfectly with harvest-time flavors.

Regional Variations

Different regions of the U.S. have put their own spin on Thanksgiving desserts.

In New England, Indian pudding – a cornmeal and molasses-based dish – was common at early Thanksgiving feasts.

The South embraced sweet potato pie as an alternative to pumpkin. This creamy, spiced dessert showcases the region’s abundant sweet potato crops.

In the Midwest, persimmon pudding gained popularity where the fruit was plentiful. This dense, moist dessert offered a unique flavor profile to holiday tables.

On the West Coast, fresh fruit desserts like cranberry tarts or pear crisps became Thanksgiving favorites. These lighter options reflected the region’s access to fresh produce year-round.

Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Desserts

Making great Thanksgiving desserts takes some know-how. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can create delicious treats your guests will love.

Choosing Ingredients

Pick fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results.

Use real butter instead of margarine for richer flavor.

Choose ripe, in-season fruits like apples and pears.

For pumpkin pie, canned pumpkin often works better than fresh.

Buy whole spices and grind them yourself for more flavor.

Vanilla extract adds depth – don’t skip it.

Use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses taste in fall desserts.

Test your baking powder and soda to make sure they’re still active.

Old leaveners can ruin a recipe.

When possible, use ingredients at room temperature for smoother mixing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t overmix batters and doughs. This can make cakes and pies tough.

Measure ingredients carefully – baking needs precise amounts.

Avoid opening the oven door too often. This lets heat escape and can cause cakes to sink.

Use an oven thermometer to check your oven’s real temperature.

Don’t overbake. Desserts often finish cooking as they cool. Check a few minutes before the recipe time.

Cool pies and cakes completely before cutting for neater slices.

Chill cookie dough before baking for thicker cookies that spread less.

Let frozen pie crusts thaw fully before filling and baking.