There’s always room for dessert on Thanksgiving, and this list of Thanksgiving dessert recipes goes beyond the usual pumpkin pie to cover pies, cheesecake, salads, and cookies everyone will enjoy.
Thanksgiving dinner gets most of the spotlight, but the dessert table deserves just as much attention. From a few classic pies to fun new twists like Toll House Pie and Baklava, this roundup has a little something for every kind of sweet tooth. These 21 desserts are tried-and-true favorites that are worth going back for seconds.
A great Thanksgiving dessert balances warm, familiar holiday flavors like pumpkin, pecan, and cinnamon with just enough variety to keep the dessert table interesting. The best lineups mix a classic pie or two with something creamy, chocolatey, and maybe a cookie or retro salad.
Key Takeaways
Mix of pies, cheesecake, cookies, and dessert salads.
Classic flavors alongside a few fun twists like Toll House Pie and Baklava.
Great for potlucks, family dinners, and Friendsgiving.
Many of these can be made in advance to save time on Thanksgiving Day.
Simple, approachable recipes that don’t require advanced skills.
21 Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
1
Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Pumpkin pie is a classic holiday dessert staple that is super easy to make at home for your loved ones and has all the warming, sweet, lovely layers of flavor you love in pumpkin pie!
This is the absolute best pumpkin pie recipe, made with real cream and sweetened with maple syrup. One bite and you'll understand why this healthy homemade pie is one of my favorite whole food desserts!
Homemade Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie is deliciously sweet, sticky, and creamy. It's an easy to make pie recipe that uses just a few simple ingredients and is guaranteed to be a hit!
Apple crumble is a simple yet tasty dessert that combines the warm, gooey goodness of baked apples with a crunchy, sweet topping, creating a delicious treat that's perfect for any occasion.
This foolproof Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe features a buttery graham cracker crust and cream cheese filling that's incredibly creamy without being too dense. With just the right amount of pumpkin flavor, fall spice flavors, and a gorgeous marbled effect, this cozy autumn-inspired dessert will become a fan favorite!
This Toll House pie is one of my favorites for the holidays or any special occasion — it tastes like a thick and fluffy chocolate chip cookie baked in a flaky, buttery pie crust, and it’s seriously heaven.
A pumpkin roll is a delightful dessert that wraps the comforting flavors of spiced pumpkin cake and creamy filling into a perfect spiral of autumn joy.
French Silk Pie combines smooth chocolate and fresh whipped cream in a decadent filling for an Oreo cookie pie crust. Silky smooth and deliciously rich, this is one of the easiest and yummiest homemade pies to make — perfect for holidays and special occasions!
Just when you thought dessert couldn’t get any better, I bring to you Orange and Nut Baklava. It is crisp, flaky, and filled with a delicious orange, cranberry, and nut mixture.
Bake pies a day ahead when you can. Fruit and pecan pies taste even better after resting overnight, freeing up your time on Thanksgiving Day!
Save cream pies for closer to serving time. Pies topped with whipped cream, like French Silk Pie or Coconut Cream Pie, hold their texture better when assembled closer to serving time.
Let the cheesecake and pumpkin roll chill fully before slicing. A few hours in the fridge or overnight makes for cleaner slices.
Slice and bake cookies ahead of time. Cookie dough like the Honey Pecan Slice and Bake Cookies can be frozen in logs and sliced fresh when you’re ready to bake.
Don’t overcrowd the oven. Stagger your pie and cookie baking throughout the day so that nothing gets too rushed.
Variations and Substitutions
Pie Swap – Not a fan of pecans? Swap in the Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, or Derby Pie.
Chocolate Lovers – Pair the French Silk Pie with the Toll House Pie for a double dose of chocolate on the dessert table.
Lighter Options – The Apple Crumble or Healthy Pumpkin Pie are lower-effort, lighter alternatives.
Kid-Friendly – The Original Toll House Cookies, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Pumpkin Pie Spritz Cookies are easy, familiar options the kids can help with.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many desserts should I make for Thanksgiving?
A good rule of thumb is one dessert option per 4 to 6 guests, aiming for a mix of pie, something creamy, and a cookie option.
Can I make Thanksgiving dessert ahead of time?
Yes, many pies, like the apple pie and pecan pie, actually taste better the next day. Cream pies, cheesecake, and the pumpkin roll are best made a day ahead and chilled until ready to serve.
What’s a good dessert for guests who don’t like pumpkin?
The Pecan Pie, Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie, Derby Pie, and French Silk Pie are going to be the perfect pumpkin-free options.
Can I freeze Thanksgiving desserts?
Fruit pies like apple pie typically freeze well, and cookie dough like the Honey Pecan Slice and Bake freezes beautifully. Cream pies and cheesecakes are best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.
Each recipe will include its own storage details, but in general, most pies, cheesecake, and the pumpkin roll will keep well covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cookies and baklava store best at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
No matter which Thanksgiving dessert recipe you choose, your table will have a little something sweet to please everyone. This list will have you thinking beyond the pumpkin pie.
