25 Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas to Impress Your Guests This Year

Thanksgiving desserts are an important part of the holiday meal, offering a sweet finish to the feast. Many people look for a variety of dessert options that appeal to different tastes, from traditional to unique choices.

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A table filled with a variety of Thanksgiving desserts including pies, cupcakes, cookies, and tarts, decorated with fall leaves and small pumpkins.

This article shares 25 Thanksgiving dessert ideas that can suit any table and satisfy many preferences. The selection includes classic favorites as well as some creative twists, allowing hosts to find the right sweets for their gatherings.

1) Classic Pumpkin Pie

A classic pumpkin pie with whipped cream on a wooden table surrounded by small pumpkins, fall leaves, and spices.

The classic pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving staple. It combines spiced pumpkin filling with a flaky crust. Traditional spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove give it a warm, familiar flavor that many expect at holiday dinners.

2) Pecan Pie with Candied Pecans

A pecan pie topped with candied pecans on a wooden table with autumn decorations around it.

Pecan pie with candied pecans adds a crunchy, sweet touch to a classic dessert. The rich filling combines caramel and nuts for a smooth, gooey texture. It works well for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals. The candied pecans on top offer extra flavor and a satisfying crunch.

3) Apple Crumble with Oat Topping

A freshly baked apple crumble with oat topping in a ceramic dish on a wooden table surrounded by apples and cinnamon sticks.

Apple crumble with oat topping is a simple, classic dessert for Thanksgiving. It combines sweet and tart apples with a brown sugar oat topping. The oats add a crunchy texture that contrasts well with the soft apples. It is often served warm, sometimes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

4) Pumpkin Cheesecake

A slice of pumpkin cheesecake on a plate with whipped cream, surrounded by small pumpkins and fall leaves on a wooden table.

Pumpkin cheesecake blends creamy texture with warm pumpkin spice flavors. It offers a smooth, rich taste that fits well with Thanksgiving traditions. Many recipes use a graham cracker crust and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance the fall theme. It’s a popular alternative to classic pumpkin pie.

5) Sweet Potato Pie

A freshly baked sweet potato pie on a wooden table surrounded by pumpkins, fall leaves, cinnamon sticks, and pecans.

Sweet potato pie is a classic Thanksgiving dessert. It has a smooth, creamy filling made from baked sweet potatoes. Often, it is seasoned with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The pie can be made with a traditional crust or a pecan crust for added texture.

6) Maple Walnut Cake

A slice of maple walnut cake on a wooden board surrounded by fall leaves, walnuts, and small pumpkins.

Maple walnut cake is a simple and flavorful dessert for Thanksgiving. It combines the rich taste of maple syrup with crunchy walnuts. The cake is moist and can be made quickly using basic ingredients like cake mix and sour cream.

7) Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

A slice of cranberry orange bread pudding on a white plate with fresh cranberries and orange slices on a wooden table.

This dessert combines tart cranberries with bright orange flavor. It uses soft bread soaked in a mixture of eggs, cream, and orange juice. The result is a warm, comforting dish perfect for Thanksgiving. It can be topped with an orange glaze or sauce for extra taste.

8) Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

A chocolate bourbon pecan pie on a wooden table surrounded by autumn decorations and a slice served on a plate.

This pie combines traditional pecan pie with rich chocolate and a splash of bourbon. It offers a sweet, nutty flavor with a hint of warmth from the bourbon. The texture is gooey inside with a crisp nut topping, making it a popular choice for Thanksgiving.

9) Gingerbread Trifle

A glass bowl filled with layered gingerbread trifle dessert on a wooden table with autumn decorations in the background.

Gingerbread trifle layers moist gingerbread cake with creamy pudding and whipped cream. It often includes nuts or caramel for added texture. This dessert is simple to make and fits well with Thanksgiving flavors. It can be prepared ahead and served chilled.

10) Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting

A sliced pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting on a wooden board surrounded by autumn leaves and small pumpkins.

The pumpkin roll is a classic fall dessert made with a moist, spiced pumpkin cake. It is rolled around a thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting. This dessert is popular for Thanksgiving and other autumn gatherings.

11) Caramel Apple Tart

A caramel apple tart on a wooden table surrounded by apples, cinnamon sticks, and pecans.

The caramel apple tart combines sweet apples with a buttery crust. It typically includes cinnamon and spices for added flavor. The tart is simple to make with just a few ingredients and fits well on any Thanksgiving dessert table.

12) Spiced Pear and Walnut Galette

A spiced pear and walnut galette on a wooden table with autumn decorations around it.

This dessert combines tender pears with warm spices like cinnamon and ginger. The walnuts add a crunchy texture that balances the softness of the fruit.

The galette has a flaky, buttery crust that is easy to fold over the filling. It is simpler than a pie but still feels special for Thanksgiving.

13) Cranberry Almond Bars

Freshly baked cranberry almond bars cut into squares on a wooden board with almonds and cranberries around them.

Cranberry almond bars combine tart cranberries with a buttery almond crumble. They have a shortbread crust and a sweet, nutty topping. These bars are a good choice for a simple, festive Thanksgiving dessert.

14) Salted Caramel Apple Crisp

A freshly baked salted caramel apple crisp in a white dish on a wooden table with apples, cinnamon sticks, and walnuts around it.

Salted caramel apple crisp combines warm spiced apples with a crispy oat topping. The salted caramel adds a balanced sweet and salty flavor. It is a popular choice for Thanksgiving because it is easy to make and comforting. Serving it with vanilla ice cream enhances the dessert.

15) Maple Pecan Blondies

A wooden board with freshly baked maple pecan blondies surrounded by pecans and fall leaves.

Maple Pecan Blondies combine the sweetness of maple syrup with crunchy toasted pecans. They have a chewy texture and a slightly crisp edge.

This dessert is simple to make and fits well with Thanksgiving menus. It can be prepared ahead of time.

16) Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

A wooden table with pumpkin spice latte cupcakes topped with cinnamon frosting and garnishes, surrounded by small pumpkins and colorful autumn leaves.

These cupcakes combine pumpkin, warm spices, and a touch of espresso. They have a moist texture and light whipped cream frosting. This dessert brings fall flavors into a simple, easy-to-serve treat for Thanksgiving. Many enjoy them for their balance of sweetness and spice.

17) Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes

A bowl of cinnamon sugar donut holes on a wooden table with autumn leaves and small pumpkins around it.

Cinnamon sugar donut holes are simple, soft treats coated with a sweet cinnamon sugar mix. They are quick to make and work well as a small dessert or snack after a Thanksgiving meal.

They can be made using basic ingredients and cooked in different pans or a donut hole machine. Their mild sweetness pairs nicely with coffee or fruit.

18) Chocolate Chess Pie

A chocolate chess pie with a slice removed on a wooden table surrounded by autumn decorations like pumpkins and fall leaves.

Chocolate chess pie is a simple dessert with a rich, custard-like filling. It has a buttery crust and a smooth, chocolate flavor that fits well at Thanksgiving. It is easy to make and works well for families who want something different from pumpkin pie.

19) Pumpkin Mousse Parfait

A glass of pumpkin mousse parfait topped with whipped cream and cinnamon, surrounded by small pumpkins and fall leaves on a wooden table.

This dessert combines smooth pumpkin mousse with layers of whipped cream. It often includes crumbled gingersnap cookies for added texture. It is a simple, no-bake treat that fits well with Thanksgiving menus.

20) Apple Cider Doughnuts

A stack of cinnamon sugar-coated apple cider doughnuts on a wooden table surrounded by pumpkins, fall leaves, and apples.

Apple cider doughnuts are a popular fall treat often found at orchards and pumpkin patches. They have a tender, moist texture and a warm spice flavor from cinnamon and nutmeg. These doughnuts can also be made into cakes for a different twist on the classic dessert.

21) Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

A close-up of golden brown cookies with pecans on a wooden board, surrounded by whole pecans and a bowl of melted brown butter.

These cookies use browned butter to add a rich, nutty flavor. Toasted pecans give them a crunchy texture.

They are chewy and slightly caramel-like, making them a good choice for fall desserts. The warm spices often included enhance the taste without overpowering it.

22) Butternut Squash Pie

A freshly baked butternut squash pie on a wooden table surrounded by pumpkins, fall leaves, and cinnamon sticks.

Butternut squash pie offers a smooth, creamy alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. It has a mild, sweet flavor that fits well with fall spices.

This pie often uses roasted butternut squash for a rich texture. It pairs nicely with whipped cream or ice cream at Thanksgiving.

23) Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake

A pumpkin spice Bundt cake on a wooden table surrounded by small pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and fall leaves.

The Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake is a moist, spiced cake made with pumpkin and warm fall spices. It is often topped with a cream cheese or maple glaze for added flavor. This cake fits well on any Thanksgiving dessert table.

24) Cranberry Poke Cake

A rectangular cranberry poke cake topped with cranberry glaze and fresh cranberries on a wooden table with autumn decorations in the background.

The cranberry poke cake is a moist white cake with small holes poked into it. Cranberry sauce seeps into these holes, adding tart flavor throughout. It is topped with cream cheese or whipped frosting for a balanced sweet and tangy taste. This dessert fits well with Thanksgiving meals.