30 Unbelievably Easy Thanksgiving Desserts
Updated: Dec. 16, 2021This 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.
1
/
30
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.
2
/
30
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
3
/
30
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
4
/
30
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, California
5
/
30
Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream Pie
My family and I always try new desserts during the holidays. This one was a clear winner, so we now make it for all occasions! —Patricia Ness, La Mesa, California
6
/
30
Grandma's English Trifle
This scrumptious trifle recipe is a family heirloom. My grandmother would make an enormous dish of it for Saturday night dinners when they often had guests. If there were leftovers, they'd eat that English trifle dessert every night that week until it was gone! —Ruth Verratti, Gasport, New YorkStart the feast with these simple Thanksgiving appetizers.
7
/
30
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
8
/
30
Peanut Butter Silk Pie
My youngest son wanted to have homemade pies placed around his wedding cake, and this was one of his requests. —Lee Steinmetz, Lansing, Michigan
9
/
30
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!
10
/
30
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
11
/
30
Thanksgiving Cake
Try out this Thanksgiving cake! You’ll be glad you did—it will conjure up a host of smiles during your holiday dinner. —Carole Lajeunesse, Aurora, Colorado
12
/
30
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.
13
/
30
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
14
/
30
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
15
/
30
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
16
/
30
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
17
/
30
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
18
/
30
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
19
/
30
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!
20
/
30
Coconut Pecan Pie
We top this with sliced bananas, whipped cream and more sliced bananas. It's based on a recipe my mom got from a potholder she bought at the Patti's 1880s Settlement in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. —Jennifer Choisser, Paducah, Kentucky
21
/
30
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
22
/
30
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
23
/
30
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
24
/
30
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
25
/
30
Lemon Ginger Icebox Cake
Everyone searches for grand desserts that have easy ingredients and minimal effort. My lemony ginger icebox cake is the answer. It’s a holiday lifesaver. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
26
/
30
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
27
/
30
Pumpkin Delight Magic Bars
My mother never wrote down her delightful recipes, so I created this recipe as a holiday tribute to her. They’re creamy, sweet and a little tart. Eat with a fork so you can scoop up all the delicious topping ingredients that might tumble off. —Lisa Glassman, Boynton Beach, Florida
28
/
30
Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie
This was one of my mom's favorite pie recipes. She was a great cook and was always generous with her recipes, yet she rarely shared this special one. —Ruth Ferris, Billings, Montana
29
/
30
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
30
/
30
Smooth Chocolate Pie
My mom and I made this chocolate pie, just the two of us, and our whole family got to enjoy it. We think you will, too. —Steve Riemersma, Allegan, Michigan
Originally Published: November 09, 2021
