40 Thanksgiving Desserts You Can Make in 30 Minutes (or Less!)
No time to bake a Turkey-day pie? You can still whip up yummy easy Thanksgiving desserts in just half an hour.
Pumpkin Fudge
Each one of these creamy, heartwarming treats is like a bite-sized pumpkin pie. —Kathleen Henne, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Cinnamon Apple Pan Betty
I found this recipe soon after I was married many years ago. You'll need just a few ingredients, which you probably have on hand. It's super quick to put together, too. It's a favorite of ours during fall and winter, when apples are at their best. —Shirley Leister, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Pumpkin Whip
Even though this dessert is quick to fix, it has a creamy pumpkin taste and golden harvest look...just like traditional pumpkin pie. It's a great dessert for both everyday dinners and special-occasion suppers.—Linda Clapp, Stow, Ohio
Salted Cashew Oatmeal Cookies
My son absolutely loves cashews, so I loaded my oatmeal cookies with them at Christmas—he loved them! The mix makes a great gift for friends, co-workers and teachers; all they have to do is add butter, vanilla and eggs. —Richard Hatch, Glen Burnie, Maryland
Pumpkin Toffee Trifle
I wanted to use pumpkin for a quick party dessert. This twist on a cream cheese pie tastes divine when made ahead. It keeps well, too. —Jodie Jensen, Draper, Utah
No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms
Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate in an unforgettable spin on an old favorite. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana
Easy Mexican Brownies
I was hosting a fun Mexican-themed cocktail party and needed a quick dessert. Dressing up an ordinary boxed brownie mix made life easy and delicious! —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Cardamom Spritz
As far back as I remember, I have loved cardamom. My grandmother often added the spice to her baked goods. I usually make these cookies in a camel design with a camel spritz press I found at a thrift shop—it reminds me of a time when I rode a camel in the desert while deployed with the Navy. Of course, any design will do! —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
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
Pumpkin Doughnut Drops
I always have a few special treats handy when the grandchildren visit. These cake doughnuts are one of their favorite snacks. —Beva Staum, Muscoda, Wisconsin
Spiced Toffee Cookies
I bake these cookies for family gatherings because my crowd likes cookies thin and chewy with a crispy exterior. The toffee bits make a happy surprise.—Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Puffed Apple Pastries
For a little extra indulgence, serve these oven-fresh pastries with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Cherry pie filling can be substituted for the apple. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Toffee Turtle Squares
Here's an easy way to make turtle candy for a big group. These bars are very rich, so a little square will do ya. —Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
I'm one of the cooking project leaders for my daughter's 4-H club, where these soft, delicious cookies were a great hit with the kids. —Marietta Slater, Augusta, Kansas
Peanut Butter Fudge
This peanut butter fudge is a favorite "never fail" quickie recipe. —Eleanore Peterson, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Butterscotch-Rum Raisin Treats
I love making rum raisin rice pudding around the holidays. Those flavors inspired this recipe. Crispy rice cereal adds crunch, but nuts, toasted coconut, or candied pineapple could do the job, too.—Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Dipped Gingersnaps
I get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these soft, chewy cookies. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah
Caramel-Pecan Apple Slices
Here's a warm, decadent side dish for fall or winter brunches. Ready to eat in only 15 minutes, the apples are also good alongside a pork entree or spooned over vanilla ice cream. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Simple Turtle Cheesecake
For an almost instant dessert, I spread homemade ganache and caramel sauce over pre-made cheesecake. It makes the holidays feel slightly less hectic. —Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois
Winning Cranberry Chip Cookies
Chock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies...but don't wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round.
Vanilla & Cinnamon-Kissed Apple Latkes
Latkes are crispy fried pancakes, often made with potatoes. But this sweet version with apples, orange juice, cinnamon and vanilla falls in the dessert realm. —Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina
First-Place Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me for some, too! I especially like that this macaroon recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Folks who love the flavor of the classic cookie will enjoy that same great flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois
Apple Yogurt Parfaits
Get the morning started right with this super simple four-ingredient parfait. Try chunky or flavored applesauce for easy variations. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Cranberry Lime Macaroons
It wouldn’t be the holidays for my family and friends if I didn’t make these chewy lime-flavored macaroons. I usually make several batches a week during the season..—Alisa Costa, Chatham, New York
Maple Ricotta Mousse with Candied Pecans
Try not to sneak too many of the maple-y nuts while you make dessert. With the mousse, they're even better. —Kathleen Gill, Pahrump, Nevada
Turkey Pilgrim Cookies
These darling little gobblers are fun to make and will make all your Turkey Day guests smile. —Taste of Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Heavenly Filled Strawberries
These luscious stuffed berries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
These golden cakelike cookies are my favorite, especially around the holidays. They disappear quickly from my dessert trays. The subtle pumpkin and cinnamon flavors pair nicely with chocolate chips. —Tami Burroughs, Salem, Oregon
Quick Apple Crisp
This dessert can be assembled in a snap and cooks up in minutes, making it a delectable dessert for unexpected guests. You'll love it served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped topping. —Suzie Salle, Renton, Washington
Cherry & Macadamia Nut Cookies
Tart dried cherries and sweet macadamia nuts make an unbeatable combo. Plus, the cherries add a pop of color for the holidays.—Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Copycat Berger Cookies
After a friend who had recently traveled to Baltimore sent me a package of Berger cookies, I was hooked. They disappeared so quickly, I decided to try to re-create them at home. After many tests and tweaks, my husband and I gained 6 pounds between the two of us, but it was worth it—I landed on a reproduction of the famous cookie I'm so proud of. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Cinnamon-Cranberry Oat Bars
I'm a swim coach for kids, and I started making these bars for them as a snack. I wanted something that was easy to eat but would also give them energy. The kids loved them from the very first time I brought them. Now I bring them to every team event. —Sarah Riviere, Prescott, Arizona
Mini Baklava
Baklava has 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
Chocolate Framboise Parfaits
Having unexpected company? Make a fabulous dessert in minutes and relieve some of the stress of presenting a beautiful holiday dessert! It doesn't get any easier than these quick, delicious parfaits. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Sweet Potato Spice Cookies
Shredded sweet potatoes, butterscotch chips, pecans, coconut and spices are creatively combined in a one-of-a-kind cookie that always brings rave reviews. —Ruth Shaffer, Elizabethville, Pennsylvania
Chocolate Peanut Treats
When I was in high school, I took these sweet and crunchy squares to bake sales— and they were the first to sell out. I still make them for family and friends who love the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. —Christy Asher, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coconut Cranberry Yummies
When my husband came home from the grocery store with six bags of fresh cranberries, I launched a full-scale effort to creatively use them all. Bursting with tart and sweet flavors, these cranberry coconut cookies are my favorite result from that experiment. —Amy Alberts, Appleton, Wisconsin
Saucy Spiced Pears
We serve these tangy, saucy pears over angel food cake, pound cake or with a little yogurt or vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle with a favorite topping. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
White Chip Cranberry Blondies
We created these delicious blondies to satisfy any health-conscious cook. Applesauce moistens the batter, while dried cranberries, white chips and heart-healthy pecans flavor each bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin