Need dessert inspiration for the Thanksgiving table? From classics like pumpkin pie, apple pie, and sweet potato pie–here’s a selection of trusted 20+ Thanksgiving Desserts to finish off your holiday on a tasty note.

collage of Thanksgiving dessert recipes with overlay text.

The Thanksgiving turkey, the variety of side dishes–there’s nothing like Thanksgiving when it comes to the food. But, let’s not overlook dessert! The sweet finale after a full day of prepping, cooking, and hosting. These dessert recipes are perfect for making ahead, giving you one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving Day. So, after all the hard work, kick back and savor a slice of warm apple pie or surprise your guests with a rich chocolate cream pie.

slice of chocolate cream pie on a plate with a fork.

If your oven needs a break or you simply don’t have time to make dessert ahead of time, no-bake desserts save the day. Whether it’s a slice of no-bake cheesecake, decadent oreo truffles, banana pudding, or a cheesecake trifle, each would make a wonderful addition to your dessert table.

20+ Thanksgiving Desserts

1
slice of cake on a plate with a fork and a glass of milk and flowers in the background

Pumpkin Layer Cake

Moist pumpkin layer cake with warm spices, perfect for fall! Easy to make and topped with the best cream cheese frosting!
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2
Pumpkin bundt cake with cream cheese glaze sliced and presented on a wire rack.

Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe

Spiced pumpkin bundt cake: with the most gorgeous texture! Velvety & soft, with a buttery backnote & tangy cream cheese glaze. Easy, 1-bowl recipe!
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3
slice of pie with caramel sauce on a plate

Caramel Apple Pie

This homemade caramel apple pie has a buttery caramel, spiced apple filling and flaky crust.  It’s a classic dessert made even better!
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4
I made this Irish Apple Cake for St. Patrick's Day, but honestly it was so good I'd eat it any time of year! There was just a hint of cinnamon, allowing the tart apple flavor to really shine. The whiskey hard sauce was the perfect creamy compliment! food desserts cake

Irish Apple Cake with Whiskey Hard Sauce

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this authentic Irish Apple Cake! Hearty, moist, and full of sweet apples, served with a creamy whiskey hard sauce.
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5
cranberry curd tart topped with meringue and cranberries.

Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe

This cranberry curd tart will make a striking addition to your holiday dessert table. With a tart, sweet, and smooth custard filling on top of a buttery shortbread crust. Dress it up with toasted meringue and sugared cranberries.
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6
Ridiculously easy Cranberry Cinnamon Roll Cake. Tastes just like a freshly baked, yeasty-gooey cinnamon roll with tart cranberries swirled in. No kneading, and you don't even have to wait for it to rise! Making this for holiday breakfast ;)

Cranberry Cinnamon Roll Cake

Treat your guests to this cranberry cinnamon coffee cake with white chocolate drizzle. It's just like a freshly baked cinnamon roll, without all the work!
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7
sliced pumpkin pie in a pie dish.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Bursting with flavor, this pumpkin pie recipe is the best way to end your holiday meal! It's a household favorite– smooth, rich, and incredibly delicious on my homemade pie crust topped with sugared cranberries and whipped cream.
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8

Bread Pudding

Baked in a creamy custard and topped with powdered sugar and salted caramel sauce, this bread pudding recipe is comfort food at its best!
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9
Perfect slice of Boston Cream Pie on a plate next to the full cake, showing ganache topping dripping down the sides.

Boston Cream Pie Recipe

A total classic: Boston Cream Pie! Layers of moist vanilla cake, filled with a sweet vanilla custard and topped with dark chocolate glaze. Such a crowd-pleaser; you can’t go wrong when you serve this for dessert!
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10
Brown Butter Peach Crumble Ice Cream- the ice cream has brown butter and peaches and there's the most delicious cinnamon streusel swirl!

Brown Butter Peach Crumble Ice Cream

If you like peach crumble then you will love this ice cream recipe! Brown butter brings out all the best in the vanilla custard, and compliments the juicy peaches in the most gorgeous way. A sprinkling of cinnamon-spiced streusel adds a bit of crunch and makes this dessert a late-summer dream come true.
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11
I made this Irish Coffee Creme Brulee in just 10 minutes and it was the bomb! The crackly burnt sugar was sooo good with the coffee and boozy flavors!

Irish Coffee Creme Brulee

Cool, creamy Creme Brulee gets a boozy kick from Irish Whiskey, and rich flavor from toasty Coffee. It’s your favorite St. Patrick’s Day drink, in Dessert form! Make this Easy Recipe for St. Patrick’s Day, or any day!

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12
A slice of caramel cheesecake, topped with salted caramel and sea salt, on a white ceramic plate with a gold fork.

Caramel Cheesecake

Love salted caramel? You've gotta make this caramel cheesecake recipe! Ribboned with toasty, buttery caramel in every bite.
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13
Pear cranberry crisp: a comforting cool-weather dessert! Sweetened with maple syrup, spiked with warm ginger, and topped with a buttery oatmeal pecan crumb.

Pear Cranberry Crisp

Pear cranberry crisp: a comforting cool-weather dessert! Sweetened with maple syrup, spiked with warm ginger, and topped with a buttery oatmeal pecan crumb.

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14
Pale pink meringue kisses in a white bowl.

Meringue Cookies

These baked meringue cookies are crisp, sweet, & light as a cloud! Plus, lots of tips on how to make meringue that’s stiff and fluffy as can be.
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15
soft-baked peppermint mocha cookies topped with peppermint crunch.

Peppermint Mocha Cookies

These soft-baked peppermint mocha cookies are thick, chewy with slightly crisp edges, just like a brownie! With the perfect ratio of peppermint and rich mocha flavor, these are are guaranteed to be a hit for the holidays.
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16
Chocolate pound cake sliced and served on a wooden board.

Chocolate Fudge Cake

The ultimate chocolate fudge cake, super moist with a rich fudge frosting. Perfect for birthdays and chocolate lovers alike!
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17
Banana Cream Pie with fluffy custard, swirls of whipped cream, and fresh bananas.

Banana Cream Pie

Do you have a banana lover in your life? Make them this Banana Cream Pie! With plenty of fresh bananas, fluffy custard filling, and sweet whipped cream, nestled into a flaky, buttery crust. It’s such a treat!
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18
Best Banoffee Pie Recipe

Banoffee Pie

Banoffee Pie: a classic combination of bananas and toffee, layered in a crunchy graham cracker crust and crowned with whipped cream. You’ll fall in love!
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19
Chai Spice Cupcakes next to a cinnamon stick and clove

Chai Spice Cupcakes

These warming chai spice cupcakes are perfect for chilly weather!
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20
Butter pecan cookies served in a vintage pie plate with a cup of coffee and a small pitcher of cream.

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies: Meltingly soft, & infused with warm brown sugar, toasty browned butter, & crunchy nuts. They'll make you feel so cozy!
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21
Close up image of a stack of pecan sandies rimmed in chopped pecans.

Pecan Sandies

Make this easy slice and bake pecan sandies recipe! So buttery and tender they practically melt in the mouth, with tons of crunchy toasted pecans.
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Author

  • Christina is a contributor to Baking A Moment. She is a recipe creator, food photographer and author of Simple Everyday Recipes sharing easy, approachable recipes for the everyday family.

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