40 Best Desserts for Thanksgiving – Recipes and Menu Ideas

Turn your Thanksgiving into a true celebration with easy recipes and menu ideas from my 40 Best Desserts for Thanksgiving roundup. Thanksgiving is all about family and food, and your family will be thankful for these simple, mostly make-ahead desserts, which are as delicious as they are beautiful. 

Whether you are looking for traditional or unique Thanksgiving desserts, or want new twists on old favorites, you will find a wide array of impossible to resist desserts.

These luscious top-rated Thanksgiving desserts feature pumpkins, apples and pecans, and everything in between from top food bloggers around the globe. No matter whether you are feeding a crowd, or just two, these Thanksgiving desserts are just what you need to please even the most discerning sweet tooth. Your only problem will be deciding which of these scrumptious desserts to prepare!

These 40 crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving dessert recipes also include gluten-free, paleo, vegan, sugar-free, dairy-free, and nut-free options for those with dietary restrictions.

Apple Pie Cheesecake with Caramel Topping – Grits and Pinecones

Say yes to Apple Pie Cheesecake with Caramel Topping for a sweet ending to your holiday meals, and be prepared to be blown away by all of the flavorful layers and textures tucked into this delicious dessert!

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!

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. And, it’s a perfect Thanksgiving dessert

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. Like regular chocolate ganache, but even better. Ok, so a Nutella ganache cooked on the stovetop in a matter of minutes and poured into a toasted hazelnut crust. It’s rich, but not quite as rich as you would guess. Who am I kidding, the ingredients are heavy cream and Nutella. It’s exactly as rich as you would imagine.

Easy Pumpkin Patties – Mom on Timeout

Delightfully easy Pumpkin Patties are the perfect no-bake treat to celebrate the season. The cute factor here is off the charts!

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, and made peace with it. Or not. Because custard is the highlight of this cake, the pièce de résistance. And, that custard forms magically for you 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!

Dot’s Ultimate Southern Pecan Pie – Grits and Pinecones

One bite of Dot’s Ultimate Southern Pecan Pie will have your taste buds swooning with crunchy, sweet, custardy, caramelly 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. A wonderfully rich, old-fashioned southern pecan pie recipe, which isn’t cloyingly sweet like most pecan pies. Classic and simple, and along with pumpkin pie, it’s a Thanksgiving tradition.

Gluten-Free Apple and Pear Galettes with Pecan Streusel – Pass Me Some Tasty

Check out this apple pie. It’s apple pie gone rogue. Apples hooked up with some pears in a flaky, crusty, buttery pie shell and then went next level by adding some pecan streusel on top. When it comes to dessert, go big or go home. 

Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie – Vintage Kitty

This twist on a classic Southern pie will have you begging for seconds! Buttermilk Sweet Potato Pie is sweet, citrusy, and surprisingly easy to make!

 Caramel Upside Down Apple Cake – An Italian in My Kitchen

Fast and Easy and so Delicious, this Caramel Upside Down Apple Cake has a self-making Caramel Sauce over a perfectly baked moist Apple Cake.  The Best 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 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. You can replace this with standard whipped cream if you prefer.

Sharlotka Russian Apple Pie – Happy Kitchen Rocks

Sharlotka (Шарлотка) is the most well-known and easy Russian apple pie. This recipe uses honey, resulting in the moistest, healthy, and delicious sharlotka.

Pumpkin Pie with Sage and Brown Sugar– Foodal

With nutty notes of browned butter and the deep comfort of sage, this pumpkin pie is everything you need – no creamy topper necessary. It pulls together quickly, so you can even have it ready by tonight.

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!

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 fall and apples go together. Apples will never taste juicier or sweeter than they do right now. And what goes perfectly with apples, why caramel of course! The perfect dessert for Thanksgiving!

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. 

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!

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 spiced rum glaze. This bundt cake is guaranteed to be one of your family’s Fall favorites desserts!

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?! I’m also including a maple cinnamon coconut cream in this recipe, too! So you’ll get two recipes in one!

Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing – Grits and Pinecones

If you like carrot cake, you will love this recipe! Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing is chock full of pineapple, carrots, raisins, and because I’m a Southern girl, pecans.  If this isn’t enough to get your attention, it’s then topped with a quick and easy but decadent, luscious, and velvety smooth cream cheese icing.

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! 

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust – Grits and Pinecones

Move over pumpkin and pecan pie, this amazing Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Gingersnap Crust is sure to become your new favorite Thanksgiving dessert!

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. This quick and easy cranberry cake combines fresh fruit, orange juice, brown sugar, and cornmeal with a box cake mix and takes only minutes to prepare. 

Oh, my goodness! How in the world can you choose only one of these luscious desserts? Please let me know which one you choose and how your family likes it!

I hope you enjoy these tasty desserts and I wish you a year filled with warm memories and cherished moments. May you also find all joys and happiness that this heartfelt wish brings. Happy Thanksgiving!

★ If you make any of these desserts, please leave a comment and let me know which one you chose. I would love to know how you liked it! Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!

Need even more Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas? Check out these roundup posts:

• 42 Best Thanksgiving Savory Side Dishes
• 35 of the Best and Easiest Sweet Potato Recipes for Thanksgiving
• 22 Easy No-Fuss Turkey Recipes for Thanksgiving
• 25 Best Thanksgiving Stuffing and Dressing Recipes
• 50 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes You Need To Make Now
• 27 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes and Menu Ideas
• 241 Best Thanksgiving Recipes and Menu Ideas

And, because Christmas isn’t far behind, I thought you might be interested in these Christmas recipe roundup posts: 

• 29 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes
• 25 Best Christmas Breakfast/Brunch Recipes
• 30 Easy and Elegant Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
• 31 Easy Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts
• 37 Fun & Festive Holiday-Party Appetizers

*This Thanksgiving dessert roundup post updated on October 18, 2019, and republished on November 15, 2019, to include 13 new dessert recipes and links to Christmas roundups. 

Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!