Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones, sharing gratitude, and—of course—eating! While the turkey and sides often steal the show, the desserts are where the real magic happens. From classic crowd-pleasers to creative twists that will surprise and delight, here’s a mix of Thanksgiving dessert recipes to sweeten your holiday.

Classic Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving is complete without this traditional favorite. Smooth, spiced pumpkin filling in a buttery crust? Perfection.

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups canned pumpkin puree
¾ cup sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425°F.
In a bowl, mix pumpkin, sugar, salt, and spices.
Beat in eggs and gradually add evaporated milk until smooth.
Pour filling into the crust and bake for 15 minutes.
Reduce temperature to 350°F and bake for another 40-50 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool for 2 hours before serving.

Pecan Pie Bars

Take the rich, nutty goodness of pecan pie and turn it into easy-to-serve bars.

Ingredients for the crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour
⅔ cup powdered sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened

Ingredients for the topping:

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups chopped pecans
Caramel sauce (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix crust ingredients and press into a 9×13 pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
Combine topping ingredients in a bowl, pour over the crust, and sprinkle pecans on top.
Bake for another 30-35 minutes or until the filling is set.
Drizzle with caramel if using
Let cool before slicing into bars.

Apple Crisp with a Walnut Oat Topping

This cozy dessert is a wonderful option if you want to skip pie but still enjoy fall flavors.

Ingredients:

6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
¾ cup sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup old-fashioned oats
¼ cup chopped walnuts
⅓ cup cold butter, cubed

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss apples with lemon juice and sugar, then place them in a greased baking dish.
Mix flour, oats, cinnamon, and walnuts in a bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly, then sprinkle over the apples.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and apples are tender.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

A tart, creamy dessert that’s perfect for those looking for a fresh twist.

Ingredients for the crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup melted butter

Ingredients for the filling:

16 oz cream cheese, softened
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cranberry topping:

2 cups fresh cranberries
¾ cup sugar
½ cup water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine crust ingredients, press into a 9×9 pan, and bake for 10 minutes.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the crust.
Cook cranberries, sugar, and water over medium heat until thickened (10-15 minutes).
Spoon cranberry sauce over the cheesecake layer and swirl slightly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, cool, and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting

Move over sweet potato casserole—these cupcakes are here to shine.

Ingredients for the cupcakes:

1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon

Marshmallow frosting:

7 oz marshmallow fluff
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tin with liners.
Mix sweet potatoes, sugars, eggs, and oil. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and slowly mix into the wet.
Fill liners ⅔ full and bake for 18-20 minutes.
Beat frosting ingredients together and pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Chocolate-Pumpkin Mousse

This elegant, no-bake dessert combines rich chocolate and pumpkin spice.

Ingredients:

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, melted
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
2 cups heavy whipping cream
½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

Fold pumpkin and spices into melted chocolate.
Beat heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, then gently fold into the pumpkin-chocolate mixture.
Spoon into dessert glasses and chill for 2 hours.

Maple Bourbon Bread Pudding

A cozy dessert with a hint of indulgence—perfect for the adults at the table.

Ingredients:

1 loaf challah or brioche bread, cubed
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup maple syrup
2 tbsp bourbon
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 pan.
Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, bourbon, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Pour over bread cubes and let sit for 10 minutes to soak.
Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and set.
Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or caramel sauce.

These desserts add sweetness, variety, and a touch of creativity to your Thanksgiving feast. With beloved classics and unique creations alike, there’s something here to please every palate. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃