16+ Best Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

16+ Best Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

Thanksgiving is the time for sweet joy and cozy food. These Thanksgiving dessert ideas are easy, tasty, and full of love.

From pies to cakes, each dessert adds warmth to your table. Try these 17 sweet treats and make your holiday extra special.

1. Pumpkin Pie Recipe

This Pumpkin Pie Recipe is creamy and full of warm spices. It’s the most loved Thanksgiving dessert ever.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Pie pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust
  • 2 cups pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Mix pumpkin, eggs, milk, and sugar.
  2. Add spices and salt.
  3. Pour into crust.
  4. Bake at 375°F for 50 mins.

2. Apple Crisp Recipe

Apple Crisp Recipe
Apple Crisp Recipe

This Apple Crisp Recipe is sweet, soft and crunchy. It’s a simple fall dessert.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 6
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 55 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Bowl

Ingredients

  • 5 apples, sliced
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup butter

Instructions

  1. Mix apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Put in dish.
  3. Mix oats, flour, and butter.
  4. Add on top.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 40 mins.

3. Pecan Pie Recipe

The Pecan Pie Recipe is rich and buttery. It’s perfect for sweet lovers.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Pie pan
  • Whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups pecans
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Mix syrup, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.
  2. Add pecans.
  3. Pour into crust.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 50 mins.

4. Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

The Sweet Potato Pie Recipe is smooth, creamy and sweet.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Pie pan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 pie crust

Instructions

  1. Mix potatoes, eggs, sugar, milk, and cinnamon.
  2. Pour into crust.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 50 mins.

5. Cranberry Bars Recipe

The Cranberry Bars Recipe is sweet and tangy. It’s a fun holiday dessert.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 9
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking pan
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup cranberries

Instructions

  1. Mix flour, butter, and sugar.
  2. Spread half in pan.
  3. Add cranberries.
  4. Add rest of mix on top.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 35 mins.

6. Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Chocolate Pudding Recipe

This Chocolate Pudding Recipe is rich, smooth and full of chocolate.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Mix sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch.
  2. Add milk slowly.
  3. Cook until thick.
  4. Add vanilla and stir.

7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

The Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe mixes creamy cheese and warm pumpkin flavor.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Pan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cream cheese
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 crust

Instructions

  1. Mix cheese, sugar, and eggs.
  2. Add pumpkin and cinnamon.
  3. Pour into crust.
  4. Bake at 325°F for 50 mins.

8. Apple Pie Recipe

Apple Pie Recipe
Apple Pie Recipe

The Apple Pie Recipe is sweet, classic and smells amazing.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Pie dish
  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 2 pie crusts
  • 6 apples
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Mix sliced apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Put in crust.
  3. Add top crust.
  4. Bake at 375°F for 45 mins.

9. Chocolate Pie Recipe

The Chocolate Pie Recipe is rich, creamy, and sweet.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Cook milk, cocoa, sugar, and yolks.
  2. Stir until thick.
  3. Add vanilla.
  4. Pour into crust and chill.

10. Pumpkin Bread Recipe

This Pumpkin Bread Recipe is soft, moist, and full of spice.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 10
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Loaf pan
  • Bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup oil

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Pour in loaf pan.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 50 mins.

11. Pecan Cookies Recipe

The Pecan Cookies Recipe is nutty, crisp, and sweet.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 12
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking tray
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup pecans

Instructions

  1. Mix butter and sugar.
  2. Add flour and pecans.
  3. Shape into balls.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 15 mins.

12. Sweet Potato Cupcakes Recipe

The Sweet Potato Cupcakes Recipe is soft, sweet, and creamy.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 12
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Muffin pan
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup mashed sweet potato
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Mix everything.
  2. Pour into muffin cups.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 25 mins.

13. Cranberry Cake Recipe

The Cranberry Cake Recipe is light, soft, and fruity.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Cake pan
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  1. Mix butter, sugar, and eggs.
  2. Add flour and cranberries.
  3. Pour into pan.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 35 mins.

14. Pumpkin Roll Recipe

The Pumpkin Roll Recipe is creamy and soft with a swirl of frosting.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup cream cheese frosting

Instructions

  1. Mix eggs, sugar, and pumpkin.
  2. Add flour and bake for 15 mins.
  3. Spread frosting and roll.

15. Chocolate Mousse Recipe

The Chocolate Mousse Recipe is light and creamy.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: French

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Melt chocolate.
  2. Whip cream and sugar.
  3. Mix together and chill.

16. Maple Blondies Recipe

The Maple Blondies Recipe is chewy, buttery, and full of maple flavor.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 9
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking pan
  • Bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Mix butter and sugar.
  2. Add egg, syrup, and flour.
  3. Pour into pan.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 25 mins.

17. Pumpkin Trifle Recipe

The Pumpkin Trifle Recipe is creamy, layered, and full of fall taste.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 6
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Glass bowl
  • Spoon

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pumpkin pudding
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • 1 cup crushed cookies

Instructions

  1. Layer cookies, pudding, and cream.
  2. Repeat layers and chill.

Final Thought On Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

These 17 Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas make your holiday table sweet and special. Each recipe is easy, quick and full of flavor.

Try a few or make them all — they will fill your home with love, warmth, and happy smiles.

Sara Collins is a food blogger at TastyDive. She shares simple and family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Her mission is to help home cooks enjoy tasty meals without stress.