30 Small-Batch Thanksgiving Desserts
Updated: Jan. 05, 2022You'll have enough leftovers as it is! These small desserts for Thanksgiving are scaled down to just the size for your soiree.
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Butterscotch Pumpkin Mousse
Guests savor every creamy spoonful of this spiced autumn dessert. It tastes so good, no one guesses that it’s actually low in fat. —Patricia Sidloskas, Anniston, Alabama
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Rustic Caramel Apple Tart
Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas
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Chocolate Bread Pudding
This is a fun recipe because the chocolate makes it different from traditional bread pudding. It's a rich, comforting dessert. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
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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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Quinoa, Fresh Fig and Honey-Balsamic Parfait
This quinoa yogurt parfait is special to me because of its wholesome ingredients. Quinoa is gluten-free, which is good for those who have food allergies, like my daughter. And I love fresh ripe figs when they are in season. Enjoy this for breakfast or dessert. —Dawn Hutchins, St. Johns, Florida
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Pumpkin Mousse in a Pumpkin
Rich and creamy, this mousse is a real showstopper when served in a hollowed-out pumpkin. The presentation is sure to impress. —Taste of Home Cooking School
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Glazed Pear Shortcakes
Family and friends will savor every last crumb of this lickety-split dessert. The pound cake absorbs the apricot flavor and the warm sweetness of the pears. Special enough to serve company—and cute, too! —Fran Thomas, St. James City, Florida
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Chocolate Chip Dutch Baby
I modified a friend's traditional Dutch baby recipe to come up with this version, which my family thinks is terrific. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make. —Mary Thompson, La Crosse, Wisconsin
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Contest-Winning Easy Tiramisu
This recipe makes a great quick dessert for a special supper…or anytime. It's easily doubled if needed. What a fun use for pudding snack cups! —Betty Claycomb, Adverton, Pennsylvania
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Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake
My mom often made pineapple upside down cake, but I prefer something creamier. This recipe looks just like her cake, but gets even tastier as pineapple upside down cheesecake. —Marilyn McGinnis, Citrus Heights, California
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Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake
I always get compliments when I whip up this rich little cheesecake. With layers of caramel, chocolate and vanilla, it's an instant classic. —Erin Byrd, Springfield, Missouri
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Marinated Oranges
This flavorful fruit was actually the topping in a cake recipe. But I didn't want all the calories or fat from the cake—and the oranges are a good dessert all by themselves! The dash of vanilla extract brings out the fruit's sweetness. —Carol Poindexter, Norridge, Illinois
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Cinnamon Apple Dumplings
WHEN Mom made pies to feed the crew during wheat harvest, she always had plenty of dough left over, so she treated us kids to apple dumplings. I've carried on this tradition in my own family. Now my husband and I enjoy this special dessert even when I'm not baking pies.
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Rice Pudding
For an old-fashioned sweet treat just like Grandma used to make, try this slow-cooker rice pudding. It has a rich cinnamon flavor and is made wonderfully light after whipped cream is stirred in at the end. —Jennifer Bennett, Salem, Indiana
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Classic Apple Cranberry Crisp
For a little old-fashioned goodness, treat your clan to this divine dish that bakes up warm and bubbly. It's great on its own or served with a scoop of ice cream. —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California
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Grilled Pears with Mascarpone Cheese
For a light dessert after a big barbecue, we stuff pears with mascarpone cheese and gingersnap cookies. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce for a sweet touch. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California
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Fudgy Peanut Butter Cake
I clipped this easy peanut butter cake recipe from a newspaper years ago. The house smells fantastic while it's slow cooking. My husband and son enjoy the cake with ice cream and nuts on top. —Bonnie Evans, Norcross, Georgia
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Baked Apple Surprise
This sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York
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Crunchy Peanut Butter Tarts
For a fun, fuss-free dessert, try these darling tarts. They’re a satisfying, rich family favorite. —Mary Kelley, Wilmington, North Carolina
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Pear Pandowdy
I pulled out this recipe one night when my husband was craving something sweet, and it was a big hit with both of us. It's a superb last-minute dessert that almost melts in your mouth. —Jennifer Class, Kirkland, Washington.
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Spiced Chocolate Molten Cakes
This splurge dessert is the kind you just have to linger over. Plunge your fork into one of the cakes and the chocolate and conversation start flowing. —Deb Carpenter, Hastings, Michigan
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Poached Pears with Orange Cream
End the meal with a flourish with this easy and elegant dessert. A hint of orange lends just enough sweetness to temper the wine's bold taste. —Julianne Schnuck, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Individual Flans
I’m always on the lookout for desserts sized for two. This rich, comfy custard is smooth, easy and just right for my husband and me! —Lee Bremson, Kansas City, Missouri
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Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Pudding
This rich bread pudding recipe goes together in minutes. There’s plenty of old-fashioned flavor, so it’s sure to become a favorite! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
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Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
One of the nice things about this easy pudding is you don't have to stand and stir it. It's a must for my family year-round! I also make it into a pie with a graham cracker crust that our grandchildren love. —Amber Sampson, Somonauk, Illinois
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Chocolate Cayenne Souffles
This rich, chocolaty souffle has a surprise ending...a little kick of heat from the cayenne pepper. It's very yummy. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
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Apple Brown Betty
This apple brown betty can be whipped up in hardly any time. It costs little to prepare, but it's big on flavor. —Florence Palmer, Marshall, Illinois
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Semisweet Chocolate Mousse
A friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
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Apricot Crisp
During the week, homemade fruit crisp is a treat you likely don't have time to prepare. But these individual crisps call for canned fruit and bake for a mere 15 minutes.
Originally Published: October 13, 2020
