67 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

The turkey and side dishes are always great, but these Thanksgiving dessert ideas are not to be missed!

As Turkey Day nears, we know you’ve likely got the bird ordered and sides on the schedule. All that’s left is to sort out what Thanksgiving dessert ideas you want to tackle.

We’ve got plenty of traditional options here, including pies galore, homey skillet sweets as well as other fall favorites. Don’t forget to bookmark a good pie crust recipe before you begin!

And if you’re running tight on time, check out these no-bake Thanksgiving desserts or these sweets that you can make in 30 minutes or less.

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The Best Pecan Pie

Is it even Thanksgiving without pecan pie? Our best-ever version is made with toasted pecans, maple syrup and—best of all—a splash of bourbon.
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Creamy Cranberry Cheesecake

Switch up your Thanksgiving menu by including something other than pie. This cranberry cheesecake is made with a cinnamon-spiced crust and gets topped with a citrusy cranberry sauce.
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Classic Pumpkin Pie

Plenty of fall spices go into this classic Thanksgiving dessert—along with a can of pumpkin. Make sure you’re using one of our experts’ favorite brands for your best-ever pumpkin pie.
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Turkey Cake

Take the Turkey Day theme from dinner all the way to dessert with this cake. You can use a boxed cake mix to start. Use the time you saved to create all the colorful tail feathers.
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Festive Holiday Cheesecake

Looking for some show-stopping Thanksgiving dessert ideas? Look no further than this luscious chocolate chip cheesecake. What makes this treat special are all the seasonal extras piled on top. Try candied orange peel, meringue cookies or even pumpkin mallow candies.
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Cranberry Apple Sheet Pie

When you need Thanksgiving dessert recipes to serve a big family, you can’t go wrong with a slab pie. These treats are baked in a sheet pan and are large enough to serve 20 or more!
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Southern Sweet Potato Pie

This Mississippi sweet potato pie is very popular in the South. It's a particular favorite at our house because we always have plenty of sweet potatoes in our garden. Try it with a dollop of whipped cream. —Bonnie Holcomb, Fulton, Mississippi
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Two-Layered Apple Crisp

If you can’t get enough of the crisp part of an apple crisp, this recipe is for you. It layers apples with two portions of a crunchy oat topping and plenty of fall baking spices.
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Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle

Need make-ahead Thanksgiving dessert ideas? You can’t beat a trifle. The cake and creamy filling can be made in advance and then layered up the morning of your feast.
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Wonderful Carrot Cake

You may not have thought of it before, but carrot cake really is the perfect fall dessert. It makes use of just-harvested carrots and is flavored with the autumnal flavors we all love: cinnamon, allspice, cream cheese and walnut.
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Pumpkin Brownies

Need a sweet treat to share before the big meal? These top-rated brownies use canned pumpkin and plenty of chocolate for the perfect festive goodie.
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Pumpkin Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a classic dessert that everyone enjoys. For a more fall flavor, try this version, which features a creamy pumpkin filling, cream cheese and autumn spices.
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Banana Pudding Tart

Dress up your classic banana pudding recipe by transforming it into a tart. Reserve leftover Nilla wafers or shortbread cookies to crumble over the top. If you wanted to make this even more seasonal, try gingersnaps!
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Streusel Pumpkin Pie

Basic pumpkin pie is good, but this dressed-up version might be even better. Pecans add a nutty crunch to the crust and the streusel topping.
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Nantucket Cranberry Tart

There’s a reason this dessert has a near-perfect rating: It’s incredibly easy to make and so delicious. You only need one bowl to stir up this beauty. From there, just pop into a tart pan and bake!
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Easy Apple Cake

Some of the best Thanksgiving dessert ideas are easy desserts. This aptly named easy apple cake can be stirred up all in one bowl and is baked in your go-to 13×9 pan.
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Citrus Cranberry Pie

To showcase abundant fall cranberries, make this beautiful lattice-topped cranberry pie. Add a bit of orange zest to whipped cream to accentuate the flavor.
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Pumpkin Pie Cake

Can’t decide between cake and pie when it comes to Thanksgiving dessert ideas? Lucky for you, this recipe combines the best of both worlds.
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German Apple Cake

This moist apple cake is a great alternative to apple pie. It also serves as a great coffee cake the morning after company leaves. Consider it fuel to get you through Black Friday shopping!
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Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Yes, even vegans can enjoy a rich slice of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Our recipe uses oat milk to achieve the creamy texture and plenty of spices to amp up the taste.
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Cranberry-Almond Pound Cake

Cranberries and almonds imbue this cake with plenty of flavor. To accent, top with sugared cranberries; they’re surprisingly easy to make!
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Maple and Cream Apple Pie

This recipe calls for Granny Smith apples which are extra firm and tart—just the right contrast to sweet and sticky maple syrup!
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Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

If you’re looking for a classic autumn dessert, try this pumpkin-forward cheesecake pie. The gingersnap crust forms a spicy and sweet base for this soon-to-be-favorite Thanksgiving dessert.
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Majestic Pecan Cake

This recipe truly lives up to its name. The pecan-dotted cake is stacked in three layers, and made-from-scratch frosting is the crowning touch.
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Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Desserts that can be enjoyed as finger foods are a must at busy Thanksgiving tables. These creamy pumpkin bars are perfect for picking up and snacking between catching up with the fam or sneaking a peek at the score of the big game.
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Paul’s Pumpkin Patch Pudding

Pumpkin fanatics won’t be able to resist a generous helping of this pudding. It’s made with canned pumpkin, cream cheese and graham cracker crumbs. Don’t forget to pile fresh whipped cream on top!
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Spiced Upside-Down Apple Pie

You’ve heard of upside-down cake, but what about upside-down pie? This Thanksgiving treat is show-stopping, delicious and deserving of its five-star rating.
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White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies

Looking for Thanksgiving dessert ideas that are a bit more casual? These fall-inspired blondies fit the bill. Topped with a lush cream cheese frosting, no one will be able to resist.
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Sweet Potato Pie

This creamy sweet potato pie is subtly spiced and slices beautifully! We suggest baking up a few sweet potato pies around the holidays to give to friends and family. — North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission
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World’s Best Lemon Pie

After a day of ultra-rich foods, a tart citrus pie is just the right way to end the feast. This pie uses plenty of fresh lemon juice and zest for an exceptionally tangy treat.
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Easy Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Cobbler

This quick and easy cobbler is a must during apple season. Be sure to use good baking apples for the best results.
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Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake Pie

This recipe proves that cast-iron pies are must-bakes this time of year. These heavy-duty pans help crisp up pie crust and provide plenty of room for delicious fillings. Get our tips on how to bake pies in cast-iron pans and then head to the kitchen!
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Appalachian Stack Cake with Apple-Bourbon Sauce

Lauren May of Must Love Herbs drew from her Appalachian heritage to create this delightful fall dessert. Lauren explains that the recipe is pretty traditional—with one exception: her addition of bourbon.
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Pumpkin Roll

This pumpkin cake roll is a great Thanksgiving dessert. It combines people-pleasing flavors and looks stunning on the table. The best part: You can make this cake roll in advance and freeze it. The day before your big feast, defrost this dessert in the fridge.
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Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Tart

While pumpkin and cream cheese get a lot of play this time of year, we’re here to remind you that pumpkin and chocolate is an equally dynamic pair. This tart is filled with velvety pumpkin and topped with fudgy ganache.
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Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake

Love the idea of apple pie but can’t resist the idea of a cheesecake on your Thanksgiving table? This dessert lets you have the best of both.
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Ginger-Walnut Tube Cake

This Bundt cake is packed with flavor thanks to molasses, cinnamon, ground ginger and crystalized ginger. Together, these ingredients sing—especially when topped with a lemony glaze.
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Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

Although it looks like you fussed, this pretty layered pie is easy to assemble with convenient canned pumpkin, store-bought candy bars and a prepared crust. It’s also a great Thanksgiving dessert for when you’re craving fall flavors but want that cool and creamy texture.
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Red Velvet Pound Cake

No matter the season or the celebration, red velvet cake is always a hit. This version is made in a tube pan and then coated in cream cheese frosting. You can dress it up with a sprinkling of chopped nuts, sprinkles or even chocolate chips.
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Apple Brandy Pecan Cake

When it comes to desserts, bourbon and rum are popular tipple picks. But this apple cake proves that brandy deserves a spot drizzled into batters. This spirit amps up the flavor of apples and plays well with the cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg in this recipe.
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Pecan Pie Cobbler

We’ve all had fruit cobblers before, but this recipe takes its flavors from a different Thanksgiving dessert. It gets lots of flavor thanks to pecans, brown sugar and toffee bits. It tastes even better when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Fresh Pumpkin Pie

This ultra-traditional Thanksgiving recipe starts with fresh pumpkin puree. Remember to shop for a pie pumpkin (a carving pumpkin isn’t the right squash for the job). And don’t forget: Pumpkin pie is rich and egg-based, so it should be refrigerated.
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Cranberry Bog Bars

Sweet and chewy, these easy dessert bars combine the flavors of oats, cranberries, brown sugar and pecans. These bars travel well, so they’re great when you’re traveling to visit loved ones for the holiday.
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Classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This pineapple upside-down cake is a classic recipe that never goes out of style! It’s a dessert that’s at home on any holiday table.
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Maple Walnut Cake

A towering layer cake always makes for an impressive finish to a meal. This recipe uses two fall flavors that we don’t think get enough hype: maple and walnut.
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Mama’s Buttermilk Coconut Pie

An old-fashioned pie is always welcome at the dessert table. This one is wonderfully rich and tender thanks to buttermilk.
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Cranberry-Orange Pound Cake

Cranberry and orange is such an iconic fall flavor combination. They work especially well in this elegant Bundt cake that’s topped with a vanilla-butter sauce.
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Glazed Apple Pie Bars

Need Thanksgiving dessert ideas that serve a crowd? These apple pie bars make enough to serve two dozen! That’s perfect for a big party—or for you to enjoy leftovers all Thanksgiving weekend long.
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Cranberry Pecan Upside-Down Cake

Instead of using pineapple for your upside-down cake, grab a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce. It serves as the perfect fruity base for this cozy recipe.
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Vegan Pecan Pie

This vegan pecan pie delivers on flavor thanks to plenty of pecans, maple syrup and a splash of vanilla extract.
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Festive Cranberry-Topped Cheesecake

Shortbread forms the base of this tasty Thanksgiving treat. Layered on top of the cookies is a lush orange cream cheese filling, and then plenty of chopped cranberries. You can use fresh or frozen in this recipe.
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Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Pumpkin and pecan come together to create this delightful hybrid pie. With a gingerbread and pecan crust, it is the epitome of the Thanksgiving season.
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Honey Gingerbread Trifle

A honey-imbued gingerbread serves as the base for this delicious trifle. Like other trifles, this treat can be assembled in advance—perfect for Thanksgiving when the kitchen is so busy the day-of.
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Caramel Apple Galette

What’s easier than pie? A galette! This dessert has all the components of pie without the fuss of crimping that just-right crust.
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Gingersnap-Pumpkin Dessert

If you don’t feel comfortable making pie crust, opt for these dessert bars. The creamy pumpkin filling pairs well with the crunchy topping.
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Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato Cake

We know that potatoes are an essential part of Thanksgiving dinner, but this recipe proves that they have a spot on your dessert spread too! Potatoes add moisture to this contest-winning cake, which makes it wonderfully lush and delicious.
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Mocha Truffle Cheesecake

After dinner, settle in with a cup of coffee and this mocha cheesecake. It’s a must-try for coffee and cocoa fanatics.
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Apple-Walnut Bread Pudding

Got day-old bread sitting on the counter? You can turn it into a delicious fall bread pudding. When folded together with a custardy base, apples and nuts, that old loaf is totally transformed and totally irresistible.
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Mini Sweet Potato Pies

Skip the slicing! These bite-sized pies pack all the flavor of a traditional sweet potato pie, but they’re baked in mini muffin tins!
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Butter Pound Cake

Whether garnished with fresh berries and sprigs of rosemary or just served plain, this rich cake is fabulous. It bakes to a beautiful golden brown and looks amazing when baked in a pretty Bundt pan.
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Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle

Rustic cast-iron Thanksgiving desserts always hit the spot after a big feast. This skillet buckle is ultra cozy when enjoyed straight from the oven. Our Test Kitchen recommends enjoying with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
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Flourless Chocolate Cake with Rosemary Ganache

Rosemary is often used to season or stuff turkey, but it adds a wonderful aromatic quality to the ganache on this cake. Since it’s a flourless cake, it’s very rich; a sliver is just the right serving.
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Pumpkin Cheesecake

This pumpkin cheesecake is perfect for beginners because even if the cake cracks (a common cheesecake mistake), the smooth sour cream topping will cover any errors. And, of course, this Thanksgiving dessert tastes delicious.
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Cranberry Amaretto Bread Pudding

Besides being a great base for cocktails, amaretto adds a wonderful touch of almond to desserts. This bread pudding uses a splash of this liqueur along with cranberries and white chocolate chips.
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Maple Syrup Pie

Grab your favorite bottle of maple syrup! This sweet recipe lets this ingredient shine. To drive home the theme, top with extra pie crust cut out in maple leaf shapes.
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Snickerdoodle Cheesecake

Our Test Kitchen transformed the classic cinnamon-sugar cookie into a creamy cheesecake you won’t be able to resist this Thanksgiving.
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Ginger Pumpkin Pie with Streusel

Want to dress up an ordinary pumpkin pie for the holidays? Give it a buttery, sugary streusel topping of gingersnaps and pecans.

Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is a former Taste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.