Thanksgiving is all about being grateful for friends, family and food. Of course, eating your favorite savory dishes during the holiday is a must, but you should also make some room for dessert.
While turkey may seem like the star of the meal—and it can be with Ina Garten’s turkey hack—dessert can also be the stand-out dish of your Thanksgiving feast. If you need some dessert inspiration, Ina Garten (aka the Barefoot Contessa) recently shared her favorite Thanksgiving desserts in preparation for the holiday.
Ina’s Favorite Thanksgiving Desserts
Ina Garten isn’t just the queen of everyday cooking. She’s also the queen of sharing the best Thanksgiving recipes. The Barefoot Contessa has been sharing her favorite dessert recipes on Instagram each day leading up to Thanksgiving.
Here’s what the beloved cook has unveiled so far:
Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
Ina Garten’s first dessert pick is a twist on a classic pecan pie. “Is it already Thanksgiving next week?!! Yikes! This week, I’m posting a favorite Thanksgiving dessert each day, starting with the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie from my new cookbook Go-To Dinners,” the cook captioned the post.
According to her description, her spin on a bourbon chocolate pecan pie calls for a store-bought pie crust, so you don’t have to worry about making your own. The recipe doesn’t call for any unusual ingredients, either. Her version calls for brown and granulated sugar, salt, unsalted butter, eggs, pecans, unsweetened chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Oh, and good bourbon.
If you’re looking for a perfect sweet treat, then check out these Ina Garten’s outrageous brownies.
Apple Crisp
If you like apple-based desserts, Ina Garten’s Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp might be your new Thanksgiving go-to. She suggests you “assemble it early in the day and pop it in the oven before guests arrive,” per her Instagram post. Imagine your guests walking into a house that smells like baked apples.
Garten’s recipe calls for McIntosh or Macoun apples, but when we tried the recipe out for ourselves, we found that it worked with Honeycrisp apples, too.
If you’re looking for a store-bought apple dessert option, one of Ina’s favorites is Trader Joe’s french apple tart.
Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits
Everyone loves a good pumpkin pie, but Ina Garten puts a fun twist on those warm pumpkin spice flavors with an unexpected, easy dessert. Her parfaits layer fluffy pumpkin mousse, crumbled ginger cookies and whipped cream.
Dessert parfaits look pretty on your table and can save you time on Thanksgiving day. We like to add a little extra crunch to ours by adding chopped pecans, like in this recipe for Pumpkin Crunch Parfaits.
Pumpkin Roulade with Ginger Buttercream
In her Instagram post on Nov. 17, Ina Garten called her Pumpkin Roulade with Ginger Buttercream “a show-stopper” and we see why. The cake’s filling is packed with crystallized ginger and mascarpone cheese. Yum!
Roulades, or pumpkin cake rolls, are yet another dessert you can make ahead of Thanksgiving and store in the fridge. You’ll want to take it out and let it return to room temperature before serving.
The Contessa labels this recipe as “advanced,” so make sure you’re OK with a more complicated bake. Before you give it a go, read through our Test Kitchen’s tips for how to make the perfect cake roll without any cracks or breakage!
Applesauce Cake with Bourbon Raisins
Another bourbon-infused recipe, Ina shared her love for Applesauce Cake with Bourbon Raisins. Apple cakes are easy enough for beginner bakers to master this Thanksgiving. Her recipe is packed with all of our favorite fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. We’re inspired to skip the pie this year and give this cake a go. And once one of the Barefoot Contessa’s favorites is made, make sure to serve it with Ina Garten’s cake serving hack.
More Thanksgiving Desserts to Try
Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu
I added pumpkin and subtracted some of the coffee flavor in a tiramisu I developed for a special holiday dinner. A new Christmas tradition was born! —Heather Clary, Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Also, check out these
Christmas cheesecake recipes, perfect for your upcoming festive get togethers.
Go to Recipe
Cranberry-Carrot Layer CakeThis moist cake smothered with rich cream cheese frosting makes any dinner festive. Every autumn, I go to a cranberry festival in Wisconsin and load up on fresh cranberries to freeze for year-round cooking. —Nellie Runne, Rockford, Illinois
Chocolate Pecan Pie BarsThese yummy pecan bars start with a homemade pastry crust and pile on lots of semisweet chocolate. They’re perfect for a holiday bake sale or casual get-together.—Heather Biedler, Martinsburg, West Virginia
The Best Sweet Potato PieI love this recipe's rich sweet potato flavor and irresistibly buttery crust. Sour cream makes the filling super smooth, and the brown sugar and spices make it extra cozy. There's no doubt that this is the best sweet potato pie! —Shannon Norris, Cudahy, Wisconsin
Pecan Goody CupsThese miniature tarts feature whole pecans, a caramel-like filling, and a butter and cream cheese crust that melts right in your mouth. —Janice Hose, Hagerstown, Maryland
Festive Holiday CheesecakeLooking for some show-stopping Christmas cheesecake recipes? Look no further! Each slice of this holiday cheesecake is overloaded with fun candy toppings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Frozen Pumpkin DessertThis frozen pumpkin ice cream dessert can be prepared and frozen weeks in advance. I've found it has more mass appeal than traditional pumpkin pie. —Susan Bennett, Edmond, Oklahoma. Satisfy your craving with these
healthy Thanksgiving desserts.
Pecan Kringle SticksMy family loves that the kringle is flaky and not too sweet—it just melts in your mouth. This makes a beautiful presentation on a cookie platter along with other holiday sweets. —Connie Vjestica, Brookfield, Illinois
Dutch Apple CakeMy husband and I came to Canada from Holland more than 40 years ago. This traditional Dutch recipe is a family favorite and has frequently gone along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario
Chocolate GingersnapsWhen my daughter Jennifer was 15 years old, she created this recipe as a way to combine two of her favorite flavors. They're perfect with a glass of milk. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
Fresh Pear Ginger CrispGingersnaps lend crunch to my heartwarming cool-weather classic, featuring the season's juiciest fruit—pears.—Linda Robertson, Cozad, Nebraska
Spiced Devil's Food CakeOne of my mom's friends gave her this recipe when I was a child, and it has been a family favorite ever since. When your chocolate sweet tooth acts up, this really hits the spot! —Linda Yeamans, Ashland, Oregon
White Chocolate Cranberry BlondiesFriends sometimes ask me to make these for wedding receptions. For a fancier presentation, I cut the bars into triangle shapes and drizzle white chocolate over each one individually. —Erika Busz, Kent, Washington
Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream PuffsThis extraordinary dessert showcases homemade pumpkin ice cream and cream puffs. The effort is worthwhile...and you can make the parts ahead of time for easy assembly later.—Richard Lasher, Stuarts Draft, Virginia
Glazed Maple Shortbread CookiesWhenever I visit friends in Lutsen, Minnesota, I make sure to buy maple syrup there because I think it's even better than in Quebec. These delicious cookies can be decorated with sprinkles but they're just fine as is.—Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Contest-Winning Pumpkin Cheesecake DessertWith its gingersnap crust and maple syrup drizzle, this rich and creamy spiced pumpkin dessert never fails to get rave reviews. It cuts nicely, too. —Cathy Hall, Phoenix, Arizona
Apple Butter Cake RollThis is a new take on a pumpkin roll. Her spicy gingerbread cake might make you think back fondly to Christmas at Grandma's! —Debbie White, Williamson, West Virginia
Apple Cranberry Slab PieMy husband loves pie, so I made one with apples, raspberries and cranberries. It’s so good, I bend the rules and let the grandkids have it for breakfast. —Brenda Smith, Curran, Michigan
Chocolate Maple BarsMy family runs a maple syrup operation, and I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate maple syrup into my cooking and baking. These bars are delicious! —Cathy Schumacher, Alto, Michigan
Pear Bundt CakeNext time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there's no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Deep-Dish Apple PieThis deep-dish apple pie is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts
Sweet Potato Cream Cheese BarsIf you're looking for something other than pumpkin, these sweet potato bars are a yummy alternative. Make them ahead—they're even better refrigerated overnight. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Potluck German Apple CakeMy mother made this German apple cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It's an excellent choice for a
Christmas potluck or actually any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Cranberry CheesecakeEvery year when the cranberries are harvested, my family looks forward to eating this cheesecake. —Nairda Monroe, Webberville, Michigan
Spicy Applesauce CakeThis picnic-perfect cake travels and slices very well. With chocolate chips, walnuts and raisins, it's a real crowd pleaser. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington. Looking for more? Try these
Thanksgiving desserts that aren't pie.
Chocolate Pecan TorteThis impressive dessert looks lovely on a buffet table. It takes some time to prepare, but it’s worth the effort. —Lois Schlickau, Haven, Kansas
Maple Walnut CakeThis maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors beloved my grandpa, who made maple syrup when I was a child. It honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
Lattice-Topped Pear Slab PieA lattice top serves as a charming frame for this special holiday dessert filled with fresh pears and candied fruit. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you like. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Cranberry Cake with Almond-Butter SauceMake room for this recipe in your collection. Tart cranberries and sweet almond glaze turn this potluck cake into something truly special. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Caramel Apple BarsThese bars make an excellent fall dessert. We like to warm individual servings in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It quickly became a family favorite; maybe it'll become one of your family's, too. —Carol Stuber, Osawatomie, Kansas. Ease holiday rush with these
make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes.
Pumpkin Pie BarsThese bars taste like a cross between pumpkin pie and pecan pie—yum! If you can't find butter cake mix, yellow cake mix works. —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
Butter Pecan Layer CakePecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida
Updated: Feb. 19, 2023
