Looking to sweeten up your Thanksgiving feast? You’re in the right place! My 2024 collection of 46 Best Desserts for Thanksgiving is packed with quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing treats to turn your holiday into a true celebration.
Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, and (of course) food. Whether you’re planning a cozy gathering or a big feast, these simple, classic desserts will have your guests asking for seconds.
And the best part? Most of these Thanksgiving dessert ideas are make-ahead and stress-free, perfect for when you need more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen.
From old-fashioned favorites like Grandma’s pecan pie to modern no-bake wonders, there’s something here for everyone. You’ll find all the must-haves—pumpkin desserts included—plus a variety of other seasonal delights like apple, chocolate, and pecan treats.
If you’ve got dietary restrictions on your mind, no worries! I’ve included gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options so everyone can indulge.
Like my other popular dessert collections—Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Desserts, Christmas Desserts, Valentine’s Day Desserts, and Easter Desserts—this roundup is sure to bring a smile to every face around your Thanksgiving table.
Jump to:
- What are the best make ahead Thanksgiving Desserts?
- Easy Southern Sweet Potato Pie – Grits and Pinecones
- Cranberry Gingersnap Pie – The View from the Great Island
- Nutella Tart with Toasted Hazelnut Crust – Sally’s Baking Addiction
- Old-Fashioned Southern Pecan Pie – Grits and Pinecones
- Easy Pumpkin Patties – Mom on Timeout
- Gingerbread Ice Cream – Grits and Pinecones
- Southern Pecan Praline Cheesecake – Grits and Pinecones
- Pumpkin Ricotta Bundt Cake – The Merchant Baker
- Easy Cranberry Cake with Hard Sauce – Grits and Pinecones
- Grandma’s Pumpkin Roll – Berly’s Kitchen
- The Best Apple Dumplings – Grits and Pinecones
- Bourbon Butter Pecan Cake with Brown Butter Maple Frosting – The Flavor Bender
- Susan’s Perfect Pecan Pie – Pudge Factor
- Pear Pie – Homemade with Fresh Pears – Grits and Pinecones
- Pumpkin Banana Cream Pie Bars – Impeckable Eats
- Miniature Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cakes – Giangi’s Kitchen
- Chocolate Pumpkin Tart – Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free – Nirvana Cakery
- Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix – Grits and Pinecones
- Pumpkin Bundt Cake – Pudge Factor
- Apple Dapple Cake with Caramel Glaze – Grits and Pinecones
- Pumpkin Cheesecake – Berly’s Kitchen
- Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake – Upstate Ramblings
- Classic Pumpkin Roll – Ask Chef Dennis
- Mini Pumpkin Pies – Jar of Lemons
- Apple Tart – Beyond the Chicken Coop
- Paleo Pumpkin Bars( Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free) – What Molly Made
- Homemade Classic Pumpkin Pie – Jessica Gavin
- Pumpkin Ice Cream with Coconut, Caramel and Praline Pecans (Vegan) – Viktoria’s Table
- Gluten-Free Apple Pumpkin Spice Cake with Butter Rum Glaze – Recipes Worth Repeating
- Gluten-Free Mini Pumpkin Pies – Wanderlust And Wellness
- Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing – Grits and Pinecones
- Flourless Chocolate Cake – Pudge Factor
- Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches – What a Girl Eats
- Partridgeberry Bundt Cake – Girl Heart Food
- Easy Caramel Apple Galette – Sweet Tea and Thyme
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars – The Unlikely Baker
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert – The Gunny Sack
- Pecan Cornbread Cobbler – South your Mouth
- French Silk Pie Recipe – Salt and Baker
- Ultimate Cranberry Upside-Down Cake – Grits and Pinecones
- No Bake Turtle Pie – Entirely Elizabeth
- Chocolate Pumpkin Bread – Tasty Oven
- Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake – Ask Chef Dennis
- Easy Mini No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes – From A Chef’s Kitchen
- Pecan Pie Bars – Beyond the Chicken Coop
- Pumpkin Tiramisu – Giangi’s Kitchen
- Thanksgiving menu suggestions
- Recipe FAQs
- Expert tips and tricks for a stress-free Thanksgiving:
- More Thanksgiving recipe collections:
- Christmas recipe collections:
What are the best make ahead Thanksgiving Desserts?
Here are my top 5 picks for make-ahead desserts that will save you time on Thanksgiving Day:
- Sweet Potato Pie – A classic that can be baked and stored in the fridge.
- Southern Pecan Pie – Easy to prepare ahead and freeze for later.
- Southern Pecan Praline Cheesecake – Whip it up a day before for a stress-free dessert.
- Apple Dumplings – Make them the night before and reheat them before serving.
- Gingerbread Ice Cream – A decadent treat you can make weeks ahead.
Easy Southern Sweet Potato Pie – Grits and Pinecones
My, oh my, Sweet Potato Pie! Easy Southern Sweet Potato Pie tastes like a cool crisp Fall day, warm, pungent spices, and Thanksgiving all wrapped up in one delicious and decadent bite. A wonderful alternative to pumpkin pie, it will quickly become a family favorite.
Cranberry Gingersnap Pie – The View from the Great Island
Cranberry Pie, with its spicy gingersnap crumb crust and silky cranberry curd filling, brings a little va-va-voom to the traditional dessert table ~ this vibrant pie going to be everybody’s holiday favorite!
Nutella Tart with Toasted Hazelnut Crust – Sally’s Baking Addiction
This Nutella tart tastes exactly how it looks: lush. It’s a Nutella ganache of sorts, cooked on the… I’m sorry, wait. Did you read that just now? NUTELLA GANACHE.
Old-Fashioned Southern Pecan Pie – Grits and Pinecones
One bite of this old-fashioned Southern Pecan Pie will have your taste buds swooning with crunchy, sweet, custardy caramel goodness. In the South, there are as many recipes for pecan pie as there are pecan trees. Every family has a favorite, and this is ours. Classic and simple, it’s a Thanksgiving tradition.
Easy Pumpkin Patties – Mom on Timeout
These delightfully easy Pumpkin Patties are the perfect no-bake dessert to celebrate the season. The cute desse rtfactor is off the charts!
Gingerbread Ice Cream – Grits and Pinecones
Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream is a delightful no-churn ice cream that perfectly captures the essence of the holidays. Its warm spices and rich molasses flavor make it ideal for Thanksgiving and sure to become a treat the whole family will love.
Southern Pecan Praline Cheesecake – Grits and Pinecones
This is the season, and I have a delicious make-ahead Thanksgiving dessert for you today! Southern Pecan Praline Cheesecake is everything a cheesecake should be and includes a delicious and decadent pecan praline topping.
Pumpkin Ricotta Bundt Cake – The Merchant Baker
I originally was going to call this Pumpkin Ricotta Bundt Cake “Pumpkin Ricotta Custard Bundt Cake.” But that’s a mouthful of words that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. So, I took “Custard” out of the title but know that the custard forms like magic in the oven!
Easy Cranberry Cake with Hard Sauce – Grits and Pinecones
A beautiful and festive dessert, Easy Cranberry Cake with Hard Sauce, will make a unique sweet ending for your Thanksgiving meal. Full of fresh tart cranberries, this cake has it all; the colors of the season, a winning combination of flavors and textures, and the creamy, blissful yumminess of a decadent hard sauce.
Grandma’s Pumpkin Roll – Berly’s Kitchen
Grandma’s Pumpkin Roll Recipe is one of my family’s favorites. Sweetened cream cheese filling rolled in light and moist pumpkin cake makes this dessert unforgettable!
The Best Apple Dumplings – Grits and Pinecones
The BEST Apple Dumpling dessert recipe ever is sheer perfection, with whole cinnamon-laced apples wrapped in a homemade flakey pie crust and then baked in a decadent sauce. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving dessert.
Bourbon Butter Pecan Cake with Brown Butter Maple Frosting – The Flavor Bender
A pumpkin pie alternative for your Thanksgiving spread – this soft, moist, spiced Bourbon Butter Pecan Cake with Brown Butter Maple Frosting is made with ground pecan in the cake batter, plus chopped pecans sprinkled throughout for a rich, buttery pecan flavor throughout the cake.
Susan’s Perfect Pecan Pie – Pudge Factor
At Thanksgiving, friends and family members fight over getting a piece of Susan’s Perfect Pecan Pie. It’s dubbed perfect for two reasons: (1) It’s perfectly delicious, and (2) it took almost ten years to perfect.
Pear Pie – Homemade with Fresh Pears – Grits and Pinecones
Imagine a delicious homemade pear pie laced with a flakey buttery crust and a juicy, cinnamon and nutmeg-infused fresh pear pie filling. It’s how Thanksgiving dessert dreams without pumpkin are made!
Pumpkin Banana Cream Pie Bars – Impeckable Eats
This recipe combines a classic old-fashioned pie with autumn flavors and fluffy marshmallows instead of whipped cream. Why marshmallow? Simply because I have a small obsession with the billowy, overly sweet melt-in-your-mouth confection.
Miniature Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cakes – Giangi’s Kitchen
The flavor of these cakes is absolutely divine! Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, mixed with the pumpkin, perfectly harmonize with the hint of vanilla. Each bite is bursting with fall flavor, making this the perfect Thanksgiving dessert.
Chocolate Pumpkin Tart – Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free – Nirvana Cakery
I’ve got just the right Thanksgiving dessert for you – Chocolate Pumpkin Tart. I’ve been working on this recipe for quite some time, and it is perfect!
Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix – Grits and Pinecones
This is one of those recipes that’s almost too easy to be true—just three ingredients and minimal effort, and you’ve got a gooey, delicious apple dessert ready to go.
Pumpkin Bundt Cake – Pudge Factor
Tired of the same old pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving? If so, you should try this incredible Pumpkin Bundt Cake. It has the same characteristic flavor of a pumpkin pie but will leave your family and guests saying, “WOW”! What’s even better is that it’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time and frozen.
Apple Dapple Cake with Caramel Glaze – Grits and Pinecones
It’s fall and the time of year when it just seems right to put apples in everything. There is a season for everything, and Thanksgiving and apples go together.
Pumpkin Cheesecake – Berly’s Kitchen
Need a Thanksgiving dessert that is smooth, rich, creamy, and sure to please a crowd. Try this delicious pumpkin cheesecake.
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake – Upstate Ramblings
It is Fall, and the apples are in season! Skip the pumpkin spice and make this Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake. It is the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving dinner.
Classic Pumpkin Roll – Ask Chef Dennis
My Classic Pumpkin roll is a timeless fall dessert guaranteed to bring smiles to your dinner table. It’s one of those desserts that everyone thinks is too difficult to make, but honestly, it’s not that hard and is well worth the effort.
Mini Pumpkin Pies – Jar of Lemons
These Mini Pumpkin Pies, y’all. Everything glorious about a real pumpkin pie (which also happens to be my absolute FAVE), but mini and healthy and perfect for Thanksgiving!
Apple Tart – Beyond the Chicken Coop
Paleo Pumpkin Bars( Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free) – What Molly Made
Paleo bars filled with pumpkin and spice! These little squares of heaven taste just like pumpkin pie! And they’re paleo:) Which means they’re gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free. They taste like fall in a bite and are topped with a light maple frosting you will be drooling over.
Homemade Classic Pumpkin Pie – Jessica Gavin
Classic pumpkin pie recipe with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and black pepper infused in the creamy custard. This festive holiday treat is baked in a delicious flaky crust!
Pumpkin Ice Cream with Coconut, Caramel and Praline Pecans (Vegan) – Viktoria’s Table
Pumpkin ice cream with coconut caramel and praline pecans – 3 ingredients, no-churn, vegan ice cream that’s as creamy and delicious as pumpkin pie and decadent, drizzled with coconut caramel, toasted coconut chips, and maple-spiced praline pecans.
Gluten-Free Apple Pumpkin Spice Cake with Butter Rum Glaze – Recipes Worth Repeating
With all the wonderful Fall flavors going on right now, you’re guaranteed to love this homemade Apple-Pumpkin Spice Cake! It features apples and pumpkin mixed with ground cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, topped with creamy butter and a spiced rum glaze.
Gluten-Free Mini Pumpkin Pies – Wanderlust And Wellness
Who wants pumpkin pie for dessert?? These gluten-free mini pumpkin pies will hit the dessert spot on Thanksgiving dinner. They are the perfect bite-sized dessert, so you don’t overindulge when it comes to the dessert table, right?
Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing – Grits and Pinecones
If you like carrot cake, you will love this delicious Thanksgiving dessert recipe! Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing is chock full of pineapple, carrots, raisins, and pecans because I’m a Southern girl.
Flourless Chocolate Cake – Pudge Factor
Flourless Chocolate Cake is amazingly dense, rich, and decadent, with every bite packed with intense bittersweet chocolate flavor.
Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches – What a Girl Eats
Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches, with vanilla ice cream and chocolate chips or butter pecan and English toffee bits, is the best dessert I’ve had in a long time.
Partridgeberry Bundt Cake – Girl Heart Food
This Partridgeberry Bundt cake has tart partridgeberries, orange zest, and rosemary. It’s easy to put together and super moist! Delicious on its own or paired with whipped cream!
Easy Caramel Apple Galette – Sweet Tea and Thyme
A perfect fall treat: an easy apple galette made from scratch with warm caramel drizzled on top. They’re elegant, rustic, and so easy to make their nickname is ‘the lazy cook’s apple pie’!
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars – The Unlikely Baker
Pecan pie cheesecake bars bring together two of Thanksgiving’s favorite desserts — pecan pie and cheesecake. They are perfect for a delicious, stress-free holiday celebration.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert – The Gunny Sack
Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert has two layers of smooth, creamy cheesecake with a gingersnap crust. Made in a 9×13 inch pan, this cheesecake is made for sharing!
Pecan Cornbread Cobbler – South your Mouth
A pecan cobbler recipe made with cornbread for a rustic, sweet, Southern dessert perfect for Fall and Winter holiday meals!
French Silk Pie Recipe – Salt and Baker
Silky smooth French silk pie with a graham cracker crust makes for the perfect Thanksgiving dessert. It’s easy to make and loved by all!
Ultimate Cranberry Upside-Down Cake – Grits and Pinecones
This exceptionally moist Cranberry Upside-Down Cake, topped with luscious deep garnet cranberries, is a unique twist on the more familiar pineapple upside-down cake.
No Bake Turtle Pie – Entirely Elizabeth
This no-bake Turtle Pie is easy to make and so indulgent! It has a crunchy pecan crust, a caramel cream filling, and a rich chocolate ganache. Add even more caramel, chopped pecans, and silky whipped cream for a Thanksgiving dessert everyone will enjoy!
Chocolate Pumpkin Bread – Tasty Oven
A sweet twist on pumpkin bread, Chocolate Pumpkin Bread is spiced with a warming pumpkin spice mix, sweetened with white chocolate, and given a savory hint of crunchy almonds.
Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake – Ask Chef Dennis
My Pumpkin Crunch Cake is the original version you see online. And believe me when I tell you it will be the best dessert you’ve ever tasted! Your family and friends will verify that statement when you serve it for Thanksgiving.
Easy Mini No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes – From A Chef’s Kitchen
Your guests will think you really fussed with these Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes! Individual creamy, dreamy mini pumpkin cheesecakes are topped with sweetened whipped cream and a gingersnap cookie topping. They’re super simple and make the perfect Thanksgiving dessert.
Pecan Pie Bars – Beyond the Chicken Coop
If you love pecan pie, then you’re really going to love these Pecan Pie Bars! Made with an easy shortbread crust and a simple filling, these bars will become a favorite. These pecan bars are easy to mix by hand in just one bowl! No special equipment is needed.
Pumpkin Tiramisu – Giangi’s Kitchen
This super easy dessert recipe is perfect during the Autumn months. The beautiful colors and fall flavors are all showcased in a beautiful glass, giving your Thanksgiving and any other occasion an invitation to enjoy.
Thanksgiving menu suggestions
Of course, desserts are just part of a Thanksgiving dinner. For the ultimate Thanksgiving feast, check out my Thanksgiving recipe collections for more menu ideas: Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes, Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes, Thanksgiving Stuffing and Dressing Recipes, and my favorite Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Desserts.
Recipe FAQs
The number one Thanksgiving dessert across the country is pumpkin pie. However, this does vary depending on where you live.
In the South, sweet potato, pumpkin, and pecan pie reign supreme, and you would be hard-pressed to find a Thanksgiving dessert table without one or both!
You will want a dessert that can be made ahead, one that travels well and something that doesn’t have to be refrigerated. Examples include: Apple Dapple Cake, Old-Fashioned Southern Pecan Pie, or Pumpkin Bundt Cake.
Thanksgiving is when many traditional dishes are served, and pie is a staple dessert for this holiday. While preferences can vary by region and individual family traditions, the following four pies are among the most popular at Thanksgiving dinners across the United States:
1. Pumpkin Pie: This is perhaps the most iconic Thanksgiving pie.
2. Pecan Pie: Has a rich and nutty flavor and is often a favorite for those who enjoy a sweeter pie.
3. Apple Pie: A classic American dessert, apple pie is made from sliced apples seasoned with sugar and spices, typically cinnamon and sometimes nutmeg.
4. Sweet Potato Pie: Similar in texture to pumpkin pie but made from sweet potatoes, this pie is a Southern favorite.
If you’re looking to switch things up from the traditional pie or want to add variety to your Thanksgiving dessert table, this post has plenty of easy and delicious non-pie options.
Here are just a few: Southern Pecan Cheesecake, Cranberry Cake, Apple Pie Cheesecake, Apple Dapple Cake, and Carrot Cake.
Expert tips and tricks for a stress-free Thanksgiving:
Preparing Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, especially if you have a plan in place. Trust me, a little organization goes a long way toward making the big day run smoothly. Here are some tips I swear by:
- First things first—start planning your menu a couple of weeks ahead. This gives you time to make changes if you hear from a few more guests or if someone throws in a last-minute request (we all know that happens!).
- Get ahead of the game by picking up non-perishables and freezer-friendly items early. And when you’re ready to hit the store, make a list that’s organized by aisle or section—it’ll save you from doing laps around the store and keep things stress-free.
- Remember, you don’t have to do it all. Seriously, let your family or friends pitch in! Assign someone to bring desserts, put another in charge of drinks, and just like that—you’ve lightened your load.
- A day or two before, do yourself a favor and prep what you can. Chop all your veggies and store them in labeled containers. If you can, whip up things like cranberry sauce, pies, or casseroles the day before so all you need to do on Thanksgiving is reheat or pop them in the oven.
- Set the table the night before! That way, it’s one less thing to think about on the big day, and you can double-check that you’ve got enough seating, plates, and glasses for everyone.
- On Thanksgiving morning, create a timeline working backward from when you want to serve dinner. It’ll help you figure out exactly when to start the turkey, side dishes, and anything else.
- And if you’re hosting a big crowd, why not make it potluck? Guests love contributing, and it makes your job a lot easier. Win-win!
More Thanksgiving recipe collections:
And since Christmas will be here before you know it, I’m including my amazing Christmas recipe collections.
Christmas recipe collections:
I hope this collection of Thanksgiving turkey recipes helps make your holiday meal both delicious and stress-free! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and being a part of this journey with me.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving filled with joy, gratitude, and wonderful food. Happy Thanksgiving!
Margaret Swendseid
Good heavens, these desserts are fantastic! I’m a Northerner, but lived in South Carolina for several years where I fell in love with Southern cuisine. Thank you so much for your website. I’m going to make your Carrot Cake for Thanksgiving 2022!
Sharon Rigsby
Thanks so much, Margaret! I hope you enjoy it and Happy Thanksgiving!
All the best,
Sharon
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
Thank you for sharing! Pinned, tweeted and yummed!
Linger
Just in time for Thanksgiving!! What a wonderful collection of recipes for the Holidays. You do such a great job of pulling together a variety of ideas. Thanks so much for sharing.
Casa Dodd
Love ALL of the recipes and posts!!!
Sharon Rigsby
Thanks so much for the sweet comment and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Sharon
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Seriously getting hungry looking at all of these delicious desserts! I want to try each and every one! Thanks so very much for including my partridgeberry cake – much appreciated 🙂
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
Great collection of desserts – thanks for sharing!!
Elaine Cobb
This is, without a doubt, the best collection of recipes ever! Not just for Thanksgiving. Thank you!!!
Gritsandpinecones
Thank you for your kind comments! And, thank you too to all the great bloggers for sharing their awesome recipes!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
Oh wow, what a Thanksgiving desserts round up! I wouldn’t know which one to choose they’re all sooo yummy!!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen
Thanks for sharing this post. These are all beautiful dessert options for Thanksgiving. Great roundup idea!
Tina
What a GREAT roundup! This is very helpful, thanks so much!
Jackie
These all look amazing! How to choose just one for thanksgiving!
Kitty
Thanks for including my recipe in your roundup!
Amanda Mason
YUM!! All these look amazing!! Great Thanksgiving dessert roundup!!