30+ Thanksgiving Desserts For Every Palate

Thanksgiving desserts often bring the whole meal together, and this collection celebrates the warm spices, seasonal fruit, and comforting flavors that define the holiday. Whether you’re hosting a traditional feast or a relaxed Friendsgiving, these recipes offer classics, lighter fruit-forward treats, no-bake options, and plenty of easy choices to round out your menu.

Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

If you want something besides pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving dessert spread, this roundup brings together a wide mix of fall treats that fit every need! You’ll find easy bakes, make-ahead options, no-bake sweets, and fruit-forward desserts, all organized so you can build a seasonal menu with dependable results and warm holiday flavor!

Cozy Fall Pies and Dessert Bars for Your Holiday Table

This section gathers classic and modern desserts that fit right in on a Thanksgiving table. You’ll find cozy pies, spiced bars, and easy crust options made for entertaining and make-ahead baking.

5 from 1 vote

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bars

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Pumpkin Pie

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5 from 4 votes

Pecan Pie

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5 from 2 votes

Pumpkin Magic Bars

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Pumpkin Crumble Bars

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5 from 1 vote

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

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5 from 1 vote

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Bars Recipe

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Easy Gingersnap Pie Crust (for any Holiday pie!)

This buttery gingersnap pie crust is crisp, aromatic, and bursting with warm spice! An irresistible base for pumpkin pie, cheesecake, or my decadent Chocolate Cream Pie featured in this recipe. With just three ingredients and a few quick pulses in the food processor, this crust recipe transforms classic gingersnap cookies into a sweet, spiced crust that holds together beautifully and tastes like the holidays.

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Warm and Spiced Pumpkin Desserts

These recipes highlight warm, comforting pumpkin spices found throughout many Thanksgiving dessert tables. From cakes to cookies to chilled treats, this collection brings together seasonal favorites for every kind of baker.

Pumpkin Icebox Cake (No-Bake Fall Dessert)

This pumpkin icebox cake is the ultimate no-bake pumpkin dessert for fall entertaining. It layers a light, creamy pumpkin mascarpone filling between graham crackers or gingersnaps, then chills into sliceable perfection. Cool, refreshing, and make-ahead friendly – it’s a dessert that feels special but couldn’t be easier to prepare!

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5 from 3 votes

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

This pumpkin coffee cake is the cozy fall bake you’ll want on repeat! It’s soft, warmly spiced, and topped with a buttery crumb that pairs perfectly with your morning coffee. Made with simple pantry ingredients and real pumpkin purée, it’s an easy, make-ahead treat that brings all the flavors of autumn into one comforting slice.

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Gluten-Free Chocolate Pumpkin Tart

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4.41 from 5 votes

Apple Cider-Pumpkin Bundt Cake

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5 from 4 votes

Grain-Free Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon-Maple Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Pumpkin Seeds

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5 from 2 votes

Pumpkin Cashew Truffles

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Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Apple Caramel Sauce

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The BEST Pumpkin Crisp Recipe (Vegan & GF Option)

Traditional pumpkin pie meets pumpkin crisp in this delicious fall dessert recipe! A creamy pumpkin pie filling is topped with nutty, crunchy oat topping and baked to golden brown perfection. The perfect dessert all holiday season long! 

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Vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal Spice Cookies

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Seasonal Fruit Desserts Featuring Apples, Pears, and More

These desserts showcase apples, pears, berries, peaches, and other seasonal fruit in their best form. Each recipe leans into natural sweetness and warm spices for simple, flavorful baking all season long.

4.58 from 7 votes

Invisible Apple Cake (Gâteau Invisible aux Pommes)

Invisible apple cake is a stunning French dessert where thinly sliced apples bake into a custardy, melt-in-your-mouth cake that looks straight out of a Parisian bakery. It’s light, elegant, and surprisingly easy to make with simple ingredients you may already have on hand.

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Applesauce Coffee Cake Recipe with Streusel Topping

It’s apple season, which means this delicious applesauce coffee cake is the perfect seasonal treat to make next! Using simple ingredients (applesauce!), pantry staples, and warm spices, this easy coffee cake comes to life in no time. Complete with an optional streusel topping and glaze!

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5 from 2 votes

Apple Fritter Skillet Cake Recipe

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5 from 2 votes

The Best Olive Oil Apple Spice Cake Recipe

Welcome in the Fall season with this delicious Apple Spice Cake! With fresh apples, the perfect blend of warming spices, and pantry baking staples, this perfect cake is packed with Fall flavor, and will be one of your favorite recipes in no time!

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5 from 3 votes

Apple Crumble Cake Recipe

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Apple-Tart Cherry Pie with Crumble Topping

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5 from 3 votes

Salted Maple Apple Galette Recipe

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Pear-Cranberry Gingersnap Crisp

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Whole Grain Pear-Cranberry Buckle Recipe

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5 from 4 votes

Golden Door Spiced Pear Cake

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5 from 5 votes

Grain-Free Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe

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Vegan Apple Spice Snacking Cake

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Gluten-Free, Vegan Pear-Cranberry Tart

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Apple Pie Granita

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Spiced Peach Shortcake Recipe with Homemade Whipped Cream

These soft and tender Spiced Peach Shortcakes feature a delicious shortcake biscuit base topped with sweet summer peaches spiced to perfection and a dollop of homemade whipped cream. A summer favorite dessert with a twist!

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3 from 1 vote

Mixed Berry Crumble Pie with Press-In Crust

This Mixed Berry Crumble Pie is a summer dessert dream. Made with a buttery butter pie crust and topped with a golden crumble, it’s perfect for showcasing a mix of fresh or frozen berries. The aroma of bubbling fruit and buttery topping signals that summer has officially arrived. It’s easy enough for beginner bakers and special enough for any warm-weather gathering.

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5 from 4 votes

Cherry Bakewell Tart

If you’ve been craving a dessert that’s both timeless and approachable, this cherry bakewell tart is the one! A buttery, tender shortcrust pastry holds layers of tart or sweet cherry jam and a rich almond frangipane filling, topped with sliced almonds for crunch. Whether you’re baking it for a weekend treat or a showstopper dessert for guests, this tart is sure to impress.

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5 from 2 votes

Vegan Cranberry-Orange Oatmeal Cookies

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Winter Fruit Salad

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Thanksgiving Desserts FAQ

What dessert should I bring if I need something that travels well?

Sturdy bars, pies with a firm filling, and loaf-style cakes hold up beautifully on the go. Pumpkin bars, apple cakes, and chess-style pies are especially reliable because they won’t shift or collapse during transport.

Which desserts are best when I need to feed a crowd?

Sheet-pan bars, large-format cakes, and deep-dish pies slice easily and serve many people with minimal effort. Pumpkin cake, berry crumble bars, and holiday classics like pecan pie stretch well for bigger gatherings.

What dessert works when I need something lighter after a heavy meal?

Fruit-based desserts are perfect when you want something sweet without feeling weighed down. Apple cakes, pear crisps, citrus-forward cookies, and fresh fruit salads offer a refreshing finish to a rich holiday menu.

What can I make if I need a last-minute dessert?

A quick dessert is ideal when time is tight. No-bake treats, crumble bars, and simple press-in crust pies come together fast and still feel special enough for a holiday table!

If you want a whole Thanksgiving spread, I’ve made a special e-book for you! Click here for The Thanksgiving Table E-Book.

If you give any of these Thanksgiving desserts a try, snap a pic and tag @pamelasalzman so I can see your beautiful creations. I also really appreciate readers taking the time to leave a star rating and review! I have started a weekly Monday newsletter with tips, musings, new recipes not published here, fun new finds, and more. Subscribe for free here.

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