Thanksgiving Desserts
Happy almost Thanksgiving! We’re less than two weeks away from the big day! As such, I’m sure many of you are putting your finishing touches on your menus and making grocery lists. I thought I’d make life a little easier for you and gather up all my Thanksgiving Desserts in one spot. In this post you will find that all the recipes have Thanksgiving/Fall flavors, and that some are more traditional than others (marshmallows on Thanksgiving…why not?).
So without further ado…
I went ahead and separated the recipes into the following categories:
- Pies & Tarts
- Cheesecakes
- Cookies & Bars
- Cupcakes
- Everything Else!
Pies & Tarts
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
When you think Thanksgiving Desserts, I think apple pie is expected! I throw tradition out the window a little by covering the top of this Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie with thinly-sliced homemade cinnamon rolls instead of a double crust. It’s easier than it looks, and the end result will wow your guests!
Date Apple Pie
In another twist on tradition, this Date Apple Pie combines spiced apples with the caramel flavors of dates and brown sugar!
Apple and Maple Custard Tart
This Apple and Maple Custard Tart is a refreshing option for your Thanksgiving table! This tart has a classic pastry shell filled with maple custard and topped with fresh sliced apples. Don’t let fear of browned apples scare you away from this one! I share a (super easy!) trick in the recipe that keeps them from browning. Really! We had leftovers a full 24 hours after I sliced the apples and they were still beautiful!
Pumpkin Pie with Gingerbread Crust
Another traditional pie with an unexpected twist! This Pumpkin Pie with Gingerbread Crust has the spiced, molasses-ey (it’s a word) flavor of gingerbread to change the whole pumpkin pie experience! Top with some fresh whipped cream and you’re in pumpkin gingerbread heaven!
Mini Apple Cranberry Pies
These little beauties are like apple pie and cranberry sauce had a baby. Apples and fresh cranberries are tossed in the holiday goodness of orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The recipe as written makes four 5″ mini pies, but you could increase the amount of filling and the bake time for make one large (9″) pie if you prefer. This one is so good, it may be a new holiday tradition!
Cranberry Curd Tart
This Cranberry Curd Tart has a chocolate pastry crust filled with sweet-tart cranberry curd, topped with toasted meringue, sugared cranberries, and sprigs of rosemary. This tart will be a new holiday classic!
Chocolate Caramel Tart
Traditional Thanksgiving desserts don’t tend to involve chocolate, but I’m sure you agree that chocolate is *always* welcome! This Chocolate Caramel Tart has a chocolate shortbread crust filled with homemade salted caramel sauce and dark chocolate ganache!
Pumpkin Meringue Tart
This Pumpkin Meringue Tart is a slight twist on the traditional. This beauty has a sweet pastry crust filled with a classic, spiced pumpkin filling, all topped with a cloud of toasted meringue!
Salted Caramel Apple Pie
The spiced apples in this Salted Caramel Apple Pie are drenched in homemade salted caramel sauce before baking! I also *highly* recommend a drizzle of salted caramel on each slice!
Cheesecakes
Cinnamon Pumpkin Cheesecake
This Cinnamon Pumpkin Cheesecake has a thick, chewy cinnamon blondie crust topped with no-bake pumpkin cheesecake and cinnamon whipped cream! This beauty makes me want to argue for the merits of pumpkin desserts year-round. <3
Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake
This Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake is a complete showstopper! The classic graham cracker crust is filled with vanilla bean cheesecake and swirls of homemade cranberry sauce!
Honey Almond Butter Cheesecake
While this might not be a traditional Fall flavor, this Honey Almond Butter Cheesecake definitely has a cozy vibe and a definite wow factor. Honey and almond butter flavor the cheesecake, which has a classic graham cracker crust and is topped with fresh whipped cream and sliced almonds. If you’re feeling motivated, make the white chocolate “honeycomb” to go on top, too! The end result is just gorgeous!
Pumpkin Hazelnut Cheesecake
This beautiful Pumpkin Hazelnut Cheesecake would be a welcome addition to any Thanksgiving feast! The pumpkin cheesecake is the creamiest, dreamiest cheesecake you’ll ever have! With a graham cracker and hazelnut crust, fresh cinnamon whipped cream, and chopped hazelnuts, this is the dessert you go back for a second slice (after your stomach stops hurting from the first)!
Cookies & Bars
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies
Another unique sweet are these Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies. Cut them in the shape of turkeys or decorate them however you’d like to for your festivities. You could serve these on their own or on a tray alongside other sweets (like maybe the Honey Pecan Bars pictured below).
Honey Pecan Bars
These Honey Pecan Bars taste like pecan pie, only elevated with the floral flavor of honey! A buttery shortbread crust stopped with sticky, sweet honey pecan filling. Pile them high on their own, or serve them on a tray alongside some Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies!
Cinnamon Roll Bars
These Cinnamon Roll Bars are chewy, super cinnamony (it’s a word), and *slathered* in vanilla-cinnamon cream cheese frosting! Completely delicious and not fussy in the least, this is definitely the easiest recipe of the whole bunch!
Caramel Apple Cookies
We all have that one pie-hating person in the family. For us, it’s my five-year-old son. I’ll hope that it’s something he learns to love (HOW can you NOT love pie??), but in the meantime, these Caramel Apple Cookies are the perfect Thanksgiving dessert for him! Even the pie-lovers at your holiday table will love these crisp, buttery, and sandwiched with dulce de leche!
Cupcakes
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
Are cupcakes fancy enough for an after-Thanksgiving-dinner dessert? I thought about leaving my cupcake recipes out, but I just couldn’t leave out the quintessential Fall flavor of these Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes! These tender, spiced pumpkin-espresso cupcakes are topped with stabilized whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice!
Apple Cider Cranberry Cupcakes
Cupcakes may not be fancy, but the flavors in these Apple Cider Cranberry Cupcakes are downright sophisticated! These apple cider cakes are topped with cranberry Swiss meringue buttercream and sugared cranberries for an added punch of sweet-tart flavor!
Everything Else 🙂
Salted Caramel Apple Marshmallows
If you’re looking for something unique, these Salted Caramel Apple Marshmallows are a fun option! These homemade apple marshmallows covered in homemade salted caramel will definitely be something your guests haven’t seen before!
Caramel Apple Cream Puffs
These Caramel Apple Cream Puffs are classic cream puffs filled with caramel pastry cream and homemade chunky apple preserves. Then the whole thing is drizzled in homemade salted caramel sauce! <3
Fall Dessert Charcuterie Board
For a different take on Thanksgiving dessert, try this Fall Dessert Charcuterie Board! This beauty is full of bite-sized treats for the ultimate in dessert grazing for your Thanksgiving guests! Mix-and-match flavors to find your favorite Fall treat!
Pumpkin Tiramisu Cream Puffs
These Pumpkin Tiramisu Cream Puffs are brushed with espresso and marsala wine, filled with spiced pumpkin mascarpone mousse, then dusted with cocoa powder! These would definitely be a unique treat for your Thanksgiving guests!
Wishing a happy, happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! There’s always something to be thankful for! I hope you have some delicious Thanksgiving Desserts for your holiday, and then you can be thankful for that, too!
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Updated 11/23/2020