36 Mini Thanksgiving Desserts That Are (Almost) Too Cute To Eat

These perfectly portioned mini Thanksgiving desserts allow you to indulge during the holidays.

Sure, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and carrot cake are all delicious—but these treats only seem to get better (and cuter) when they’re made miniature. These mini Thanksgiving desserts are perfect for toting to family gatherings and snacking on between catching up with loved ones.

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Mini Pumpkin Cakes

I saw these cute cakes at a local grocery store and decided to make my own version at home. They’re a hit at any fall gathering, but they’re particularly good as mini Thanksgiving desserts. —Jennifer Dorff, Waukesha, Wisconsin
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Dutch Apple Pie Tartlets

These adorable mini apple pie pastries make a delightful addition to a dessert buffet or snack tray. The recipe calls for convenient frozen phyllo shells, so they’re surprisingly easy Thanksgiving desserts to prepare. The lemon curd filling adds a unique flavor twist. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
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Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys

Sweet, salty and completely adorable, these treats are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert spread this year. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Pumpkin Pie Tartlets with Maple Pecan Crust

After discovering I had multiple food sensitivities, I began developing holiday recipes that would be safe for me, but enjoyable for others, too. These tarts are delicious—with no gluten, eggs or dairy! —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario
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Pumpkin Crunch Parfaits

Here’s a fun dessert that your youngsters can help make. It’s a great treat for Halloween or Thanksgiving.—Lorraine J. Darocha, Berkshire, Massachusetts
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Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles

The combination of pumpkin and dark chocolate is unexpected and delectable. These delicious truffles make a pretty addition to a party plate, a sweet way to finish up a meal, or a gift your friends and family will love. —Monica Mooney, Roseville, California
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Li’l Pecan Pies

These tempting little tarts have all the rich traditional taste of a full-size pecan pie in a much smaller package. The tarts are perfect for two. —Christine Boitos, Livonia, Michigan
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Pumpkin Tartlets

Looking for super-easy mini Thanksgiving desserts? Refrigerated pie crust and a muffin tin make it easy to create these delicious spiced pumpkin tartlets. Dollop with whipped cream and you’re done! — Jessie Oleson, Santa Fe, New Mexico
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Baklava Thumbprint Cookies

The topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe; then I decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware
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Apple Pie Tartlets

Good-for-you things come in small packages when you make a batch of these tiny apple tartlets. Sweet and cinnamony, these mouthwatering tarts are a delightful addition to a dessert table or snack tray. —Mary Kelley, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Pumpkin Latte Cheesecake Tarts

It’s hard to resist this pumpkin latte cheesecake recipe. Use extra pretzel crumbs or toffee chips for a garnish. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Mini Sweet Potato Pies

My son Levi was only 2 years old when he helped me create this delicious recipe, and it was the first time he told me I love you! I’ll always remember making these with him. —Emily Butler, South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
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Mini Pumpkin Spice Trifles

These miniature trifles are so fun for fall holiday parties! The assembly takes a little longer than making one big trifle, but it's worth it to see everyone's reaction to getting their own! —Rhiannon Brownell, Newport News, Virginia
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Black Bottom Brandy Bites

The idea for these bite-sized tarts started with little chocolate bottles of brandy. For an extra dash of fabulous, I place chocolate in the bottom of each pastry cup. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Carrot Cupcakes

To try to get my family to eat more vegetables, I often “hide” nutritional foods inside sweet treats. The carrots add wonderful moistness to these cupcakes, which have a rich cream cheese frosting. Now we can have our cake and eat our vegetables, too! —Doreen Kelly, Rosyln, Pennsylvania
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Mini Baklava

Baklava provides amazing memories for me: My best friend made it for my bridal and baby showers. And then she taught me how to make it! These delicious little miniatures give you the taste of baklava in a bite-sized package. —Margaret Guillory, Eunice, Louisiana
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Fudge-Striped Turkey Cookies

Every Thanksgiving, my cousin makes these fudge-striped turkey cookies out of prepared cookies and candies. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Upside-Down Blood Orange Cupcakes

Making blood orange cupcakes is my favorite way to use fresh blood oranges. I start with a cake mix and bump up the flavor with essential oil. No one knows these cupcakes are not from scratch. —Monica Chadha, Fremont, California
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Carrot Spice Thumbprint Cookies

Carrot cake is a family favorite, and these delicious cookies with shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, cinnamon and cloves taste very similar. They’re even topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. With each cookie it feels as if you’re eating a piece of carrot cake, but no fork is needed! —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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Cream-Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes

Here’s a charming use for pumpkin. Bursting with flavor and plenty of eye-catching appeal, these sweet and spicy filled cupcakes are bound to dazzle your family any time of the year. —Ali Johnson, Petersburg, Pennsylvania
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Pecan Tassies

Mini Thanksgiving desserts can take the form of these pecan tassies. You’ll probably want to double the recipe, because they’ll disappear in a hurry! —Joy Corie, Ruston, Louisiana
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Cranberry Creme Brulee

Dress up classic creme brulee with an easy-to-make cranberry sauce. The sweet-tart sauce compliments the rich, creamy custard. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pumpkin Cookie Pops

These cookie pops are a great way to liven up a Halloween party. Kids love them! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Apricot-Almond Tartlets

These delicate, buttery tarts melt in your mouth. With their jeweled apricot tops, they make a pretty presentation on a holiday cookie tray. —Julie Dunsworth, Oviedo, Florida
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Maple Pecan Tarts

I absolutely love pecans. I combine them with maple and vanilla to create the ultimate tart, made even richer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Redawna Kalynchuk, Barrhead, Alberta
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Pumpkin Pie Custard

Instead of pumpkin pie, try this flavorful light holiday dessert. My husband’s aunt shared the recipe after she brought this treat to a family party. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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Acorn Treats

You only need three ingredients to make these super simple acorn cookies! —Jane Stasik, Greendale, Wisconsin
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Gingerbread Truffles

I never received compliments on my baking until I brought my gingerbread truffles to a party. Every Christmas, family, friends and even co-workers ask me to make these. —Angela Randjelovic, Independence, Ohio
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Cinnamon-Sugar Sweet Potato Pastries

We always have leftover mashed sweet potatoes after our Thanksgiving feast. I take what’s left to make an indulgent filling for sweet potato empanadas. Convenient crescent roll dough makes this recipe easy as pie. —Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire
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Rum Raisin Creme Brulee

Inspired by a favorite ice cream flavor, I created this make-ahead recipe to free up some time in the kitchen. You can also serve this as a custard if you choose to not caramelize the top. —Eleanor Froehlich, Rochester, Michigan
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Orange-Cranberry Nut Tarts

My friend gave me a recipe for orange cookies. I just had to embellish it. Now my friends and family crave these tarts. —Nancy Bruce, Big Timber, Montana
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Easy Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes

Cheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
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Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

This cookie's always been a favorite with my kids, and a best-seller at bake sales. If you want to gild the lily, you can add toasted chopped walnuts or pecans to the frosting. —Linda Ross, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
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Chocolate Caramel Turkey Legs

Mention turkey legs made of pretzels and chocolate, and the kids come running. Let them help by unwrapping caramels for this easy, no-bake treat. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Tassies

This pumpkin and chocolate cookie has a special feel that makes it perfect for a holiday dessert table. If you don’t have a pastry tip, use a freezer bag to pipe the buttercream into the cookie cup. It works well for me. —Laura Milanowski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Gobbler Goodies

The kids and I had a ball making these tasty turkeys for Thanksgiving one year. The treats would make a fun favor at each place setting on your Thanksgiving table—if your family doesn’t gobble them up first! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Rashanda Cobbins
Rashanda is a former food editor for Taste of Home. While studying for her bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Rashanda interned in Southern Living’s test kitchen and later spent nearly a decade developing recipes and food content at ConAgra Brands. In her spare time, she loves scoping out local farmers markets and having picnics in the park.
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.