Let’s be honest, dessert is the real reason half of us show up to Thanksgiving. My sister-in-law always makes a chocolate pie, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the whole meal. The main dishes are great and all, but that pie is what I’m saving room for.’
This roundup has every kind of Thanksgiving dessert you could want. Classic pies. Pie bars you can eat without a fork. Cheesecakes, cozy cobblers, and a few small bites for the kids’ table. Some look fancy, a lot of them are shockingly easy, and all of them deserve a spot on your dessert table this year.
Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Table
- Make what you can the day before. Pies, bars and cheesecakes are all happy to hang out in the fridge overnight, which means one less thing on Thanksgiving morning.
- Lean on no-bake and Instant Pot recipes. The turkey hogs the oven all day, so anything that doesn’t need it is a win.
- Mix big and small. One showstopper pie plus a tray of bars or cookies means everyone can grab a little of everything.
Classic Thanksgiving Pies
1. Classic Pecan Pie
The Thanksgiving classic. Gooey, nutty, and the pie that always disappears first. If you only make one dessert this year, make it this one, because someone at the table is going to ask for pecan pie. Serve it with a big spoonful of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
2. Chocolate Pecan Pie
Can’t decide between pecan pie and something chocolate? Don’t. This one settles the debate. It’s a great pick for the chocolate lovers in your family who’d normally skip the pie table entirely.
3. Pumpkin Pie with Walnut Streusel Topping
Classic pumpkin pie gets a crunchy walnut streusel on top. Same pie everyone expects, just a little more special. That crunchy layer is the perfect contrast to the creamy pumpkin filling, so even the people who say they “don’t really like pumpkin pie” might go back for seconds.
4. Healthy Sweet Potato Pie
All the cozy flavor of a traditional sweet potato pie, made with no refined sugar and zero butter. It still tastes like the sweet potato pie you grew up with, just made with the good stuff. Set it out next to the pumpkin pie and let everyone pick a side.
5. Mini Pumpkin Pies
Everyone gets their own pie. No slicing, no arguing over who got the bigger piece. They’re also really easy to transport, so they’re a smart choice if you’re bringing dessert to someone else’s house.
6. No Bake Pumpkin Pie
Five ingredients and five minutes. If you volunteered to bring dessert and then forgot, this is your pie. Since it skips the oven completely, you can make it while the turkey’s roasting without juggling pans.
Pie Bars and Blondies (No Fork Needed)
7. Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan pie in a bite-size bar, with a tender shortbread crust. Way easier to serve to a crowd than a whole pie. Cut them small and stack them on a platter, and they’ll be the first thing gone from the dessert table.
8. Healthy Apple Pie Bars
Your favorite apple pie, but easier, and gluten free, nut free and refined sugar free. A great pick if you’ve got guests with allergies. Nobody has to feel left out of dessert, and honestly, nobody will be able to tell the difference.
9. No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars
All the pumpkin pie flavor in bar form, and your oven stays free for the turkey. Bars are so much easier to grab than slices, which makes these perfect for a big crowd or a buffet-style dessert table.
10. Pumpkin Spice Pecan Butter Blondies
Pumpkin spice and creamy pecan butter baked into fluffy blondies. Gluten free and dairy free, too. They’re a fun change from the usual pie lineup, and they’re just as good with your coffee the morning after.
Thanksgiving Cheesecakes
11. Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Two Thanksgiving favorites in one dessert. Creamy cheesecake plus pecan pie? Yes please. This is the one to make if you want a true showstopper, and it’s a great way to win over the cheesecake people and the pie people at the same time.
12. Instant Pot Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
A pretty pumpkin swirl, made in the Instant Pot so you’re not fighting over oven space. Cheesecake needs time to chill anyway, so it’s a natural make-ahead dessert. Just pull it out of the fridge when it’s time to serve.
13. Sugared Cranberry Cheesecake
Those sparkly sugared cranberries on top make this one a real showstopper on the dessert table. The tart cranberries balance out the rich, creamy cheesecake, and it looks just as festive on your Christmas table next month.
14. No Bake Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake with Homemade Glaze
Soft pumpkin spice cheesecake on a chewy cookie crust, finished with a homemade glaze. And no baking. It’s made healthier with clean ingredients, so it’s a little lighter after a big Thanksgiving dinner without feeling like you’re missing out.
Cakes
15. Spiced Apple Upside Down Cake
For when you want to feel fancy but put in minimal effort. It looks impressive and it’s honestly easy. Flipping it out of the pan to reveal those spiced apples is half the fun, so do it in front of your guests.
16. Instant Pot Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Yep, a bundt cake from the Instant Pot. Another one that keeps your oven free on the big day. A bundt cake always looks pretty on a cake stand, and it’s easy to slice for a crowd.
Cozy Cobblers, Crisps and Warm Desserts
17. Homemade Pumpkin Cobbler
If pumpkin is your favorite part of fall, this easy cobbler is going to make you very happy. It’s a nice change from pumpkin pie, and you don’t have to worry about making a crust. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream melting on top.
18. Apple Pie Crisp
Warm, gooey apple pie filling under a crispy golden topping. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’re done. It’s everything you love about apple pie with none of the rolling and crimping, which is a big win on a busy holiday.
19. Super Easy Apple Galette
Basically the lazy person’s apple pie. It’s baked free form, so no pie pan and no fussy crimping. That rustic, folded crust looks beautiful on the table, and nobody expects it to be perfect, which takes all the pressure off.
20. Sweet Potato Bread Pudding with Maple Sauce
Classic bread pudding with creamy sweet potatoes, fall spices and a maple sauce you’ll want to drink. It’s warm, cozy and perfect for the people who aren’t really pie people. Any leftovers make a pretty great breakfast, too.
21. Baked Pears
Pears tossed in maple syrup, cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne, with toasted walnuts for crunch. A lighter option after a big meal (and it’s vegan). They’re refined sugar free too, so this is a nice one to have on hand for anyone who wants something sweet that won’t send them straight into a food coma.
Cookies and Small Bites for the Kids’ Table
22. Mini Caramel Apple Hand Pies
Little handheld pies that are great warm from the oven and just as easy to pack up and bring to family dinner. Kids love having their own mini pie, and the grown-ups will sneak a few too.
23. Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles meet pumpkin. A cookie tray staple from now through the end of the year. Cookies are always a hit with the little ones, and they’re easy to wrap up for guests to take home.
24. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Soft, chewy oatmeal cookies with warm cinnamon, tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate chips. The red cranberries make them look so festive on a dessert platter, and they’ll carry you right into holiday baking season.
25. Caramel Apple Wontons (Air Fryer)
Ten minutes and a few ingredients in the air fryer. Perfect if you need a last-minute dessert. They’re crispy, sweet and easy to eat with your hands, so they work just as well as an appetizer while everyone waits for the turkey.
Can You Make Thanksgiving Desserts Ahead of Time?
Absolutely, and you should! Pies, pie bars and cheesecakes can usually be made a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge. Warm desserts like cobblers and crisps are best baked the day of, but you can prep the filling and topping the night before and bake while everyone’s eating dinner. Check each recipe for specific storage tips.
For Friendsgiving, I usually bring one of the no-bake options so I’m not taking up even more oven space. Whoever’s hosting already has the turkey and every casserole fighting for a spot in there, so a dessert that just needs the fridge is a gift. The no bake pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie bars and pumpkin spice cheesecake are all perfect for that.
Whichever one you pick, save room. Happy Thanksgiving!
