Turkey is nice, and mashed potatoes are scrumptious, however let’s be sincere—the actual star of Thanksgiving dinner is the dessert desk. This isn’t the second for boxed brownies or store-bought cookies (although no judgment if that’s your factor). We like to consider dessert as an expertise—an excuse to decelerate, flip up the music, and fill the kitchen with the scent of butter, spice, and caramelized sugar. As a result of if there’s ever a time to bake one thing unforgettable, it’s now.
A number of hours spent whisking, rolling, and baking the day earlier than the large meal at all times pays off when your company take that first chew. Belief us: your future self (and everybody on the desk) will likely be grateful.
From Classics to Dialog Starters
The necessities have their place—pumpkin pie, pecan tart, and apple crumble by no means exit of favor. However this yr, we’re leaning into desserts with a twist: salted caramel pots de crème, maple custards that really feel like a blanket in dessert type, and different candy surprises that make company pause and ask, “Wait, what’s in this?” These recipes strike that good stability between nostalgic and new—comforting, but simply surprising sufficient to turn out to be a speaking level.
15 Greatest Thanksgiving Desserts
Whether or not you’re baking for a crowd or setting an intimate desk, these Thanksgiving desserts have fun the season’s finest flavors—and the enjoyment of ending a meal superbly. Forward, uncover the recipes which may simply turn out to be your new vacation custom.
Maple Pecan Pie
A refined tackle a vacation favourite, this pie layers toasted pecans in a shiny maple syrup filling, including depth of taste that’s each nostalgic and new. Consider it because the grown-up cousin to the traditional Southern staple.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
This pumpkin cheesecake collab brings collectively two of my all-time favourite desserts in a single good chew. Every cookie blends fall’s coziest flavors with a contact of indulgence—the bite-sized reply to everybody’s inevitable “just one more slice” second.
Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust
Should you’ve been looking all over the place for the right pumpkin pie recipe, you’re welcome. This pumpkin pie with a spicy, buttery gingersnap crust has every little thing you can need within the final pie. Plus, should you (like me) are usually not an enormous fan of conventional pie crust, you may change your thoughts with this one.
Pumpkin Loaf Cake
Whether or not or not you whip this pumpkin cake up for Thanksgiving dinner or breakfast, everybody will likely be obsessive about this fluffy and nutty loaf. Topped with crunchy pecans that complement hints of cinnamon, it’s vacation spirit in each chew.
Cookie Tiramisù
This cookie tiramisu is an absolute stunner should you’re going for presentation factors together with your Thanksgiving dessert. Scrumptious layers of espresso and chocolate chip cookies come collectively for this whimsical tackle the Italian traditional.
Salted Caramel Pots De Creme
Caramel-flavored custard is mixed with whipped crème fraîche to construct these particular person salted caramel pots de crème. Should you haven’t tried your hand at this indulgent French dessert, put it in your checklist for this Thanksgiving.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars
All the comfy taste of traditional pumpkin pie, minus the oven time. These silky, spiced bars relaxation on a buttery graham crust and chill into perfection—proof that easy can nonetheless really feel indulgent.
Walnut Cream Cheese Espresso Cake
If somebody brings espresso cake to Thanksgiving, you’ll in all probability discover me hovering close by. The mixture of crunchy walnuts and candy cream cheese will get me each time. And for many who love a post-Thanksgiving breakfast unfold, this one’s assured to steal the present.
Dairy- and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
When baking for a big crowd, serving desserts that everybody can get pleasure from is a should. This gluten-free pumpkin pie is simply as scrumptious as your conventional recipe whereas accommodating these with dietary restrictions.
Basic Buttermilk Pie
Buttermilk pie is a Thanksgiving important. The creamy, custard-based pie is surprisingly gentle and ethereal, and the buttermilk provides it a welcome tangy taste that completely contrasts the pie’s sweeter parts.
Pumpkin Pie Tartlets with Candied Pepitas
Aren’t these pumpkin pie tarts cute as may be? These are the right choices for many who favor a extra private contact to their Thanksgiving desserts, and the flavour will nonetheless blow you away.
Apple Crumble
Apple and cinnamon are a timeless duo for a cause. And in case your crowd isn’t large on pie, this buttery, oat-laced crumble is the right different—comforting, easy, and simply as irresistible on the dessert desk.
Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Consider these as mini pumpkin breads in cookie type—gentle, chewy, and by no means dry. They strike that just-right stability of sweetness and spice, making them the surprising hit of the dessert desk.
Pumpkin Snack Cake
This pumpkin snack cake delivers all the comfy espresso cake vibes, full with a buttery streusel topping and a lightweight dusting of powdered sugar. It’s easy, nostalgic, and each bit as fairly as it’s scrumptious.
Rum & Espresso Spiced Tres Leches
Tres leches is the last word vacation cake—it may be made a day or two upfront and solely will get higher because it rests. In case your menu’s already full of dishes to prep, contemplate this your make-ahead savior.
This publish was final up to date on November 17, 2025, to incorporate new insights.
