23 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts for the Perfect Holiday Table
Thanksgiving is one of those meals where everyone seems to save a bit of room for dessert. I know pumpkin pie is the traditional choice, but I always think it’s nice to have a few different options on the table too. The more desserts, the better, if you ask me!
I’ve rounded up some of my favourite Thanksgiving desserts here, and there’s a good mix to choose from. You’ll find plenty of pumpkin recipes, along with apple, pecan, cranberry and a few chocolatey treats too. Some are really easy to throw together, while others are perfect if you want to make something that looks a bit more special.
Hopefully you’ll spot a few new ideas to add to your Thanksgiving menu. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up making more than one because it’s impossible to choose just one favourite!
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
- There’s something for everyone. From pumpkin and pecan desserts to chocolate treats and no-bake favourites, there’s plenty to choose from.
- They’re perfect for feeding a crowd. Thanksgiving is all about getting everyone around the table, and these desserts are made for sharing.
- You’ll find a mix of quick and impressive recipes. Some come together in just a few minutes, while others look like you’ve spent hours making them.
- Lots of make-ahead options. I always love desserts I can get out of the way the day before so there’s less to think about on Thanksgiving Day.
- They’re packed with cosy fall flavours. Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, maple, pecans and all those warm spices that make this time of year so good.
- It’s a great way to try something different. Pumpkin pie is a classic for a reason, but it’s always nice to have a few other desserts on the table too.
1. Pumpkin Cheesecake
If there’s one dessert that always belongs on a Thanksgiving table, it’s pumpkin cheesecake. It’s rich, creamy, full of warm fall flavours, and a lovely alternative if you fancy something a bit different from the usual pumpkin pie.
GET THE RECIPE2. Apple Pumpkin Pie
You don’t have to choose between apple pie and pumpkin pie with this one. It combines two Thanksgiving favourites into one delicious dessert, with sweet apples, creamy pumpkin and plenty of warm spices in every bite.
GET THE RECIPE3. Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
If you’ve got chocolate lovers coming for Thanksgiving, this one’s well worth making. It combines rich chocolate with creamy pumpkin for a dessert that’s a little different but still full of all those cosy fall flavours.
GET THE RECIPE4. Pumpkin Dump Cake
You really can’t go wrong with a dump cake when you want something easy. This pumpkin version has all those warm fall flavours with a buttery, crisp topping, and it’s even better served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
GET THE RECIPE5. Buttermilk Pie
This is one of those old-fashioned desserts that’s stood the test of time for good reason. Buttermilk pie has a rich, creamy filling with a lightly golden top, and it’s a lovely choice if you fancy something a bit different this Thanksgiving.
GET THE RECIPE6. Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
Sheet cakes are always a good idea when you’re feeding a crowd. This one is packed with soft apple pieces and topped with a rich caramel frosting that makes it feel extra special for Thanksgiving.
GET THE RECIPE7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle
If you want a dessert that looks impressive without being difficult, this is a great one to make. Layers of pumpkin cheesecake filling, cake and whipped topping come together into a dessert that’s always popular at Thanksgiving.
GET THE RECIPE8. Caramel Apple Fluff
Fancy something a little lighter after a big Thanksgiving dinner? This caramel apple fluff is creamy, sweet and full of crisp apple flavour, making it an easy dessert to throw together when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
GET THE RECIPE9. Pumpkin Patch Cake
If you’ve got kids around the Thanksgiving table, this cake is bound to make them smile. With soft pumpkin cake and fun pumpkin patch decorations, it’s a lovely dessert that doubles as a festive centrepiece.
GET THE RECIPE10. Pumpkin Latte Cookies
These are the sort of cookies that go perfectly with a cup of coffee on a chilly fall afternoon. They have all the cosy flavours of a pumpkin spice latte tucked into a soft, delicious cookie that’s great for Thanksgiving and beyond.
GET THE RECIPE11. Pumpkin Pie Truffles
No baking required for these little treats, which is always a bonus when you’ve already got the oven working overtime. With a creamy pumpkin centre, crunchy graham cracker crumbs and a sweet vanilla coating, they’re a fun Thanksgiving dessert that’s easy to make ahead.
GET THE RECIPE12. Pumpkin Biscoff Truffles
Biscoff fans are going to love these little bites. The rich cookie butter pairs so well with pumpkin and warm spices, making these easy truffles a lovely make-ahead treat for your Thanksgiving dessert table.
GET THE RECIPE13. Snickerdoodle Truffles
I always think it’s nice to have a few bite-sized treats alongside the bigger desserts at Thanksgiving. These snickerdoodle truffles are full of cinnamon flavour and are so easy to pop onto a dessert platter for people to help themselves.
GET THE RECIPE14. Pecan Pie Dip
This is such a good one to put out if you’ve got people popping in and out of the kitchen while Thanksgiving dinner is cooking. It has all the sweet, buttery flavours of pecan pie in an easy dip that’s perfect with apple slices, graham crackers or cookies.
GET THE RECIPE15. Pecan Pie Fudge
If you can’t decide between fudge and pecan pie, you really don’t have to with this one. It’s rich, buttery and packed with crunchy pecans, making it a lovely little sweet treat to enjoy after Thanksgiving dinner.
GET THE RECIPE16. Pumpkin Pie Dip
If you’ve already got plenty of pies on the table, this is a fun way to mix things up a bit. Creamy, full of pumpkin spice flavour and perfect for dipping cookies, graham crackers or fruit, it’s one of those desserts that’s always easy to nibble on while everyone chats.
GET THE RECIPE17. Pumpkin Spice Cookie Dough Dip
Not every Thanksgiving dessert has to involve turning the oven on. This pumpkin spice cookie dough dip is creamy, full of cosy fall flavours and perfect for serving with cookies, pretzels or apple slices for an easy dessert everyone can tuck into.
GET THE RECIPE18. Cinnamon Roll Dip
Sometimes it’s the really simple desserts that end up being everyone’s favourite. This cinnamon roll dip has all those warm cinnamon and cream cheese flavours you’d expect, and it’s perfect for dipping fruit, cookies or graham crackers.
19. Cranberry Poke Cake
Cranberries don’t get nearly enough attention when it comes to Thanksgiving desserts. They add just the right amount of tartness to this soft, creamy poke cake and make a lovely change from all the pumpkin treats on the table.
GET THE RECIPE20. Sugared Cranberries
If you want to make your Thanksgiving desserts look a little bit special without much effort, these are well worth trying. Sugared cranberries are sweet, sparkly and perfect for decorating cakes, cheesecakes, cocktails or dessert boards.
GET THE RECIPE21. Candied Nuts Chex Mix
If you’re after something a little different from the usual cakes and pies, this is such a fun one to put out. Candied Nuts Chex Mix is sweet, crunchy and full of cosy fall flavours, making it perfect for snacking throughout Thanksgiving Day.
22. Maple Bacon Fudge
If you like desserts that are a little bit unexpected, you really need to give this one a go. The sweet maple fudge with crispy bacon might sound unusual, but the combination works brilliantly and makes a fun Thanksgiving treat.
GET THE RECIPE23. Pumpkin Gingerbread Poke Cake
Pumpkin and gingerbread are such a lovely pairing once the weather turns cooler. This poke cake is soft, warmly spiced and topped with a creamy frosting that makes it a brilliant dessert for Thanksgiving.
GET THE RECIPEThanksgiving is the perfect excuse to make room for an extra dessert or two, and there’s no shortage of delicious ideas here. I hope you’ve found a few new favourites to try this year and that one or two of them earn a permanent place on your Thanksgiving table.
