Our best Thanksgiving desserts! Ranging from classic pies to non-pie ideas like cakes and bars, these delicious recipes will wow your holiday guests.
Have you chosen your Thanksgiving desserts yet? I’m still deciding. I might go the classic pie route, or I might go pie-free, creating a Thanksgiving dessert table with fall crisps, festive cakes, or even a show-stopping pumpkin tiramisu.
In case you’re on the fence too, I’ve rounded up our best Thanksgiving dessert ideas below. You’ll find recipes for traditional holiday pies like pumpkin and apple, plus plenty of non-pie Thanksgiving desserts. Pick one direction, or make a mix of both. No matter which you choose, these Thanksgiving desserts will be a hit!
Classic Thanksgiving Desserts
Best Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie has always been one of my favorite Thanksgiving desserts. I especially love this version, with its richly spiced filling and nutty pecan crust.
Homemade Cherry Pie
This classic cherry pie will add a pop of color to your holiday dessert spread! The filling is ruby red perfection—tart, velvety, and scented with almond extract.
Apple Pie
Good luck resisting a second slice of this homemade apple pie! It stars an all-butter pie crust and a mouthwatering filling made with cinnamon, brown sugar, and loads of tender apples.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
If you don’t tell guests this pie recipe is vegan, they’ll never know. Made with a custardy coconut and pumpkin filling, it’s just as delicious as the classic kind.
Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie
Pumpkin Tiramisu
Move over, pie! This no-bake tiramisu is even more impressive. Layers of chai-soaked ladyfingers alternate with a luxe pumpkin cream.
Easy Pumpkin Cake
When it comes to easy Thanksgiving desserts, you can’t beat this pumpkin cake. It’s ultra-moist, warmly spiced, and topped off with tangy cream cheese frosting. No one will miss the pie one bit!
Apple Crisp
Shhh, don’t tell, but I’d take apple crisp over pie any day. It’s easier to make, it captures the same caramel apple flavors, and the brown sugar and oat topping is better than pie crust.
Cranberry Orange Bread
Moist, bright with orange, and packed with fresh, juicy cranberries, this simple loaf cake is a perfect holiday dessert. Leftovers (if you have any) are great for breakfast!
Soft Pumpkin Cookies
Love & Lemons reader Catie described these cookies as “so good I have no words to explain.” They’re like miniature pumpkin cakes. Guests will love them!
Apple Cake
This one-bowl dessert recipe is almost more apples than cake. Don’t expect leftovers—moist, tender, and deliciously spiced, it disappears quick!
Candied Pecans
These bite-size treats are glazed with cinnamon and brown sugar. I love setting them out alongside other Thanksgiving desserts for guests to munch on.
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Level up your Thanksgiving dessert table by serving homemade ice cream instead of store-bought! Pair it with pie, or skip the crust and make sundaes with apple pie filling.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Roll these crowd-pleasing cookies in pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for an extra boost of fall flavor.
Pumpkin Bread
This classic quick bread is one of our most popular Thanksgiving desserts—and fall desserts in general. It couldn’t be easier to make!
Applesauce Cake
Applesauce makes this simple spice cake wonderfully moist. We love it with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting on top.
Baked Apples
Topped with a nutty brown sugar crumble, these baked apples are like single-serve apple crisps. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream!
Blondies
Brown butter adds butterscotch-y flavor to these chewy dessert bars. Replace the walnuts with pecans to make them even more festive for Thanksgiving. You could add dried cranberries too!
Pumpkin Pudding
These little parfaits are the cutest way to add some pumpkin spice to your Thanksgiving dessert table! Vegan and gluten-free, they’re great for guests with dietary restrictions.
Cranberry Cookies
A festive spin on regular chocolate chip cookies, these guys are soft, chewy, and loaded with cranberries and chocolate.
Apple Crumble
This recipe is one of my favorite make-ahead Thanksgiving desserts. You can cook the cinnamon apples and prep the topping in advance. Just assemble and bake before serving!
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Need help planning the rest of your holiday feast? We have plenty of savory Thanksgiving recipes too! Check out these posts to get started:
