38 Unbelievably Easy Thanksgiving Desserts to Try This Year
Updated: Nov. 22, 2023
This year, go easy on yourself and bake up easy Thanksgiving desserts. These sweets come together in a flash which means you have more time to talk turkey.
Treat yourself this Turkey Day not just to delicious mains and sides to share, but to easy Thanksgiving desserts.
These sweet treats are easy to stir up a day or two in advance (just like these make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes) or on the fly. That leaves you with more time to pop open a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider and celebrate with the ones you love.
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Nantucket Cranberry Tart
While everyone is enjoying a bountiful meal, this eye-catching tart can be baking to perfection in the oven. The pretty holiday dessert calls for very few ingredients, and it’s a snap to assemble. —Jackie Zack, Riverside, Connecticut
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Easy Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie does not have to be difficult to make. This easy Thanksgiving dessert recipe has a wonderful taste and will be a hit at your holiday meal. —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington
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Plum Poppy Seed Cake
You can also use nectarines or even apricots in this recipe, but plums and poppy seeds are the most traditional Polish version of this dessert. One tip: Do not push the plums into the batter. Just let them sit on top. They will sink in a bit as they bake. —Lisa Kaminski, Taste of Home Editor
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Freezer Pumpkin Pie
This freezer pumpkin pie is a cool twist on tradition. Gingersnaps and pecans form the delicious baked crust for the pumpkin and ice cream filling. —Vera Reid, Laramie, WyomingRound out the rest of your meal with these easy Thanksgiving recipes.
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Pumpkin Spice Cake
We sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake “Thanksgiving Cake” because it’s a tasty alternative to pie, but we don’t relegate it to just that holiday. I think you’ll agree it’s delicious any time of the year.—Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio. If you’re looking for more recipes, then try these Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie.
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Festive Cranberry-Topped Cheesecake
When my daughter was 4 months old, my husband and I hosted both of our families for Christmas dinner. I served this cheesecake for dessert. It’s quite festive—it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. —Stacy Dutka, Bienfait, Saskatchewan. If you’re looking for small-batch recipes, then check out our collection of mini Thanksgiving desserts.
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Rustic Caramel Apple Tart
Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas. Don’t forget to check out our collection of easy Thanksgiving recipes.
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Classic Apple Cranberry Crisp
For a little old-fashioned goodness, treat your clan to this divine dish that bakes up warm and bubbly. It's great on its own or served with a scoop of ice cream. —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, CaliforniaStart the feast with these simple Thanksgiving appetizers.
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Chocolate Truffle Pie
I discovered a fast recipe for a delectable chocolate mousse some years ago and thought it might make a good filling for a pie. The chocolate lovers in our family endorse this scrumptious dessert, saying that it “melts in your mouth”! —Keri Scofield Lawson, Fullerton, California
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Easy Apple Cake
After testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, this old-fashioned cake is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it’s quick to fix and, served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, one of my family’s very favorite recipes for decades. —Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio
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Quick Cranberry Chip Cookies
I received these delightful cookies for Christmas a few years ago. I was watching my diet, but I couldn’t stay away from them! The tart cranberries blend beautifully with the sweet chocolate and vanilla chips. —Jo Ann McCarthy, Canton, Massachusetts
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Peanut Butter Pudding Pie
This peanut butter pudding pie is pretty enough to serve to company… if your family doesn’t get to it first! No one can resist a sweet piece of this creamy chocolate and peanut butter dessert. —Valerie Sisson, Norton, OhioThis pie is one of our favorite desserts to make in a flash. Check out more quick, easy desserts to add to your recipe box.
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Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears
While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy yet elegant dessert that's perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, AlabamaHosting just got even easier thanks to these five-ingredient Thanksgiving recipes!
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Easy Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese
I blend cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping into instant pudding then layer it with vanilla wafers and sliced bananas. Served in a pretty glass bowl, this banana pudding with cream cheese makes for a fancy yet fuss-free dessert. —Edna Perry, Rice, Texas
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Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
For a tasty treat during the fall, try this pumpkin chiffon pie. The vanilla pudding makes is extra creamy.—Karen Grimes, Stephens City, Virginia
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Easy Apple Crisp
Here’s an easy apple crisp! This is a delicious dessert perfect for young cooks to prepare. It’s super simple to make since there’s no crust—just a crumbly topping. Plus, with apples and oats, it’s a wholesome treat. —Sheri Hatten, Devil’s Lake, North DakotaBefore you get baking, check out the best apples for apple crisp.
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Pumpkin Sopapilla Cheesecake
I love baking and trying new things. You can make so many things with pumpkin, but why not try something new? That’s where this pumpkin sopapilla cheesecake comes in, because everyone loves warm fall spices mixed with pumpkin. I can guarantee you have never had anything like this! It is quick and easy to make, and will always be a hit. —Vicky Zigmantaite, Monroe, Michigan
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Chocolate Mousse Pumpkin Pie
In Omaha, Nebraska, Kathy Peters combines canned pumpkin with two kinds of chocolate in this fully autumn delight that’s perfect for special occasions.
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Pecan Upside-Down Cake
My family does not enjoy fruity upside-down cakes, so I change the fruit to chopped nuts. They like this combination because it reminds them of sticky buns. Any type of nut may be used in this recipe. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
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Pecan Banana Bundt Cake
My daughter, Liz, often made this banana bundt cake for us. It was delicious and different. She discovered five-spice powder during a culinary class field trip. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
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Snappy Pumpkin Dessert
Our town has a pumpkin-canning factory, so we're known as the "Pumpkin Capital of the World." New pumpkin recipes are always welcomed by our family, and this has become a favorite. The gingersnap crust is the perfect flavor pairing to the pumpkin. —Nilah Fischer, Morton, Illinois
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Rustic Cranberry Tarts
I like to serve colorful desserts for gatherings with family and friends. These beautiful tarts are filled with cranberry and citrus flavor, and they’re easy to make and serve. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
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Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle
I like to spice up our Thanksgiving dinner with this special dessert featuring two popular holiday flavors. A delicious alternative to pumpkin pie, it’s my favorite potluck contribution. —Deborah F. Hahn, Belle, Missouri
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Olive Oil Cake
A good olive oil cake isn’t overly sweet, so it can just as easily be a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack as it can be a dessert. —Lisa Kaminski, Taste of Home Editor
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Caramel Peanut Bars
Rich chocolate, crunchy peanuts and gooey caramel peek out from between golden oat and crumb layers. Delicious!—Ardyce Piehl, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
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Honey Bun Cake
I take along recipe cards to hand out when I bring this moist, fluffy cake to school socials. It always goes quickly. —Kathy Mayo, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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No-Bake Apple Pie
We always have an abundance of apples in the fall, so I like to make this easy pie. My husband has diabetes, and this recipe fits into his diet ... but everyone enjoys it. —Shirley Vredenburg, Ossineke, Michigan
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Pumpkin Snack Cake
The crunchy, sweet topping makes this simple pumpkin snack cake taste extra special. If you prefer a sweeter cake, omit the topping and spread with your favorite frosting instead. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, MichiganAlso check out these Thanksgiving desserts made with a healthy twist!
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Copycat Patti's Sawdust Pie
We top this with sliced bananas, whipped cream and more sliced bananas. It's based on a sawdust pie recipe my mom got from a potholder she bought at the Patti's 1880s Settlement in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. —Jennifer Choisser, Paducah, Kentucky
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Mixed Nut Bars
One pan of these bars goes a long way. They get a nice flavor from butterscotch chips. —Bobbi Brown, Waupaca, Wisconsin
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Hot Chocolate Tiramisu
Instead of using coffee and rum, I let cinnamon shine in this tiramisu. It's best if eaten within two days—if it even lasts that long! —Cathy Geniti, Saratoga Springs, New York
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Possum Pie
We found this Possum Pie recipe in a recipe box from the previous cafe owner. It’s been on our menu ever since. —David Heilemann, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
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Slow-Cooked Pumpkin Apple Cobbler
This spiced cobbler with apples and cranberries is sure to please all of your holiday guests. It is perfect for fall but can be made year-round since it uses fresh or frozen cranberries. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Gooey Butter Cake
A friend gave me a quick version of this gooey butter cake recipe using a cake mix, but I prefer baking from scratch, so I made my own version. My family can’t get enough! The middle will sink a little; this is normal. This dessert is delicious served warm or cold. —Cheri Foster, Vail, Arizona
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Pumpkin Brownies
Chocolate and pumpkin pair up to make a family-favorite fall dessert. These pumpkin brownies are fantastic for parties and picnics. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Apple Betty with Almond Cream
I love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois
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Apple Brandy Pecan Cake
My favorite apple cake is made with a shot of brandy and drizzled with caramel to set off the wonderful flavors. If alcohol is a no-go, use orange juice instead of apple brandy. If you’d rather follow a chocolate route, add mini chocolate chips to the cake and use chocolate ice cream topping for the drizzle. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Pumpkin Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a classic dessert that everyone enjoys. For a more fall flavor, try this version, which features a creamy pumpkin filling and sweet spices.—Holly Billings, Battlefield, Missouri
Originally Published: November 21, 2022
