Thanksgiving desserts are where I go a little overboard every year. There’s something about following up a big dinner with a full spread of pies, cookies, and warm cinnamon rolls that just feels right for the holiday.
I put together this list to help you plan your own Thanksgiving dessert table, whether you’re sticking with one pie or going big with a whole spread. I grouped everything by type, so you can jump straight to what you’re looking for.
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Pies
You really can’t talk about Thanksgiving desserts without starting with pie, so let’s begin there.
1. Butterscotch Cream Pie
This one’s a real crowd-pleaser. It’s a rich butterscotch pudding pie with a silky layer of whipped cream on top, all sitting in a chocolate-toffee crumb crust with a little salt worked in.
The filling is smooth and pudding-like, and the salty crust keeps the whole thing from tasting too sweet. It’s got that classic pie feel but with a flavor you don’t see as often.
I love serving this one alongside a more traditional pumpkin pie, since it gives guests something a little different to try.
You can find the full recipe over on Everyday Pie.
2. Salted Maple Pie
Salted Maple Pie is another great choice if you love a good custard pie. It’s made with maple syrup, brown sugar, and heavy cream, so the filling comes out rich and creamy.
A sprinkle of flaky salt on top cuts through the sweetness and makes each bite taste a little more balanced. It’s got that warm, cozy maple flavor that feels perfect for fall.
This is a great pick if you want something a little different from pumpkin pie but still fits right in with the rest of your spread.
Get the full recipe from Simply Scratch.
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
If you’ve got any chocolate and peanut butter fans at your table, this pie is a must. It starts with an Oreo crust, then gets layered with homemade chocolate pudding and a fluffy peanut butter mousse.
On top, you’ll find whipped cream and chopped peanut butter cups, so every slice has a little crunch along with all that creamy filling.
This one tends to disappear fast, no matter who’s at the table.
You can find the recipe over on Butternut Bakery.
Cakes
If pie isn’t the only thing on your table, these cakes are a great next stop.
4. Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cake
Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cake takes two fall favorites and puts them together in one soft snack cake. It’s layered with cinnamon sugar all through the batter, so you get that snickerdoodle flavor in every bite.
The top gets a little crackly, almost like a cookie crust, while the inside stays soft and moist from the pumpkin.
It’s one of my go-to picks when I want a dessert that’s easy to cut into squares and pass around the table.
Get the recipe from Eats Delightful.
5. Pumpkin Pecan Upside Down Cake
This cake bakes with a gooey pecan topping on the bottom of the pan, then gets flipped over once it’s done. What you end up with is a fluffy pumpkin cake with a caramelized pecan layer right on top.
It’s got that classic upside down cake look, and the pecans add a nice crunch against the soft cake underneath.
I love this one for a Thanksgiving dessert table because it already looks finished the second you flip it out of the pan. No extra frosting needed.
Find the full recipe on Baran Bakery.
Cookies
Cookies are an easy add to any Thanksgiving dessert spread, especially if you want something guests can grab without a plate.
6. Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
These cookies bring s’mores and pumpkin together in one chewy bite. Soft pumpkin cookie dough gets packed with melted chocolate, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.
They come out of the oven gooey in the middle, with that toasted marshmallow smell filling up the kitchen.
I like putting these out for kids and adults alike since they feel more like a fun treat than a traditional dessert.
Get the recipe from All Things Mamma.
7. Vanilla Pumpkin Oatmeal Latte Cookies
Vanilla Pumpkin Oatmeal Latte Cookies mix pumpkin butter with coffee or espresso, so you get a little latte flavor in every bite. A sweet vanilla glaze goes over the top once they’ve cooled.
The oats give them a nice chewy texture, and the coffee flavor keeps them from tasting too sweet on their own.
Add this one if you want a Thanksgiving dessert that pairs well with an after-dinner coffee.
Find the recipe over on Half Baked Harvest.
8. Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies
These soft sugar cookies get their warmth from chai spices, then get sandwiched together with a maple browned butter frosting in the middle.
You can dress them up even more with white chocolate or a little chai sugar on top, if you want them to look extra festive on the table.
I love how the browned butter frosting adds so much flavor without needing anything fancy.
Get the full recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Bars & Truffles
These bite-sized options are great if you want something guests can easily pick up between conversations.
9. Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars
These bars stack a lot into one pan. There’s a Biscoff crust on the bottom, then a layer of vanilla cheesecake, spiced apple pie filling, a crumble topping, and salted caramel over the top.
Every bite gives you a little of everything: creamy cheesecake, warm spiced apples, and that crumbly, buttery topping.
This is a great pick if you want a dessert that feels like more than one treat in one pan.
Find the recipe on Well Made by Kiley.
10. Brown Sugar Maple Pumpkin Butter Bars
Brown Sugar Maple Pumpkin Butter Bars start with browned butter and brown sugar, then get mixed with pumpkin butter, cinnamon, and white chocolate for a soft, gooey texture.
A vanilla espresso glaze goes over the top once they’ve cooled, which adds just enough sweetness without overdoing it.
I like cutting these into small squares so they’re easy to add to a bigger dessert spread.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
11. Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles
These little bites are made from creamy pumpkin cheesecake, rolled into small balls shaped like tiny pumpkins.
A chocolate chip pressed into the top works as the stem, so they end up looking as cute as they taste.
These are one of my favorite Thanksgiving desserts to set out for guests who want just a bite of something sweet instead of a full slice.
Find the recipe over on Sugar and Charm.
Cinnamon Rolls
If you’re hosting overnight guests or want something for Thanksgiving morning, these cinnamon rolls are worth adding to the list.
12. Salted Caramel Milk Bread Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls start with a soft milk bread dough, which bakes up extra pillowy compared to a regular roll.
Inside, you’ll find homemade salted caramel swirled with brown sugar cinnamon, then the whole thing gets topped with a caramel cream cheese frosting.
I love serving these on Thanksgiving morning to hold everyone over until the big meal.
Get the full recipe from Cambrea Bakes.
13. Apple Butter Pie Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls take the same soft dough and fill it with homemade apple pie filling and apple butter instead of caramel.
Once they’re baked, a spiced cream cheese frosting goes over the top, which melts right into all those warm layers.
You can make these the night before, so all you have to do is bake them the morning of.
Find the recipe on Cambrea Bakes.
14. Brown Butter Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Brown Butter Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls use a pumpkin yeast dough made with nutty browned butter, which gives them a deeper flavor than a regular roll.
The filling is pumpkin spiced, and the whole thing gets finished with a rich, spiced cream cheese icing.
I’ve found this one works really well if you want your Thanksgiving desserts to lean more toward pumpkin than apple.
Get the recipe from Butter Be Ready.
Muffins, Scones & Pastries
Along the same lines, these muffins, scones, and pastries are great for a relaxed morning before the big meal.
15. Pumpkin Spice Muffins
These muffins are moist, soft, and packed with pumpkin spice flavor all the way through.
Right in the center, you’ll find a creamy, tangy cream cheese filling, which is a nice surprise once you bite in.
I suggest these for a Thanksgiving morning spread, since muffins are easy to grab on your way to start cooking.
Find the recipe over on The Mindful Meringue.
16. Homemade Chai Scones with Maple Chai Glaze
These scones are flaky and buttery, with warm chai spices worked into the dough.
A sweet maple chai glaze goes over the top, which adds just enough sweetness without making the scone too heavy.
I love serving these alongside coffee or tea in the morning before the rest of the desserts come out later in the day.
Get the recipe from Plays Well with Butter.
17. Vegan Caramel Apple Pastries
Vegan Caramel Apple Pastries wrap flaky puff pastry around cinnamon sugar apple slices, so you get that caramel apple flavor without any dairy.
A vegan caramel sauce goes over the top once they’re baked, which adds a nice glossy finish.
This is a great option if you’ve got vegan guests joining you and still want them to have a real Thanksgiving dessert to enjoy.
Find the recipe on The Little Blog of Vegan.
Easy, No-Fuss Desserts
And if you want something simple to round out your Thanksgiving desserts without a lot of extra work, these are my go-to picks.
18. Healthy Caramel Apple Date Bark
This one’s a no-bake, frozen treat made with dates, peanut butter, apple, chocolate, and pretzels, all put together to taste like a caramel apple.
It’s got a nice mix of textures, with the crunch from the pretzels against the soft dates and fruit.
I like offering this alongside heavier options for guests who want something a little lighter.
Get the recipe from Sam Does Her Best.
19. Pumpkin Mousse
Pumpkin Mousse is light and airy, made with all the pumpkin pie spices you’d expect but served chilled instead of baked.
You can top it with graham crackers and pecans if you want a little crunch, though it’s just as good on its own.
It’s a nice change of pace if your table already has a few heavier Thanksgiving desserts on it.
Find the recipe over on Kroll’s Korner.
20. Apple Crisp
Apple Crisp is about as classic as Thanksgiving desserts get. Juicy, cinnamon-spiced apples get topped with a buttery brown sugar and oat crumble, then baked until golden.
It’s simple to put together, and it fills the kitchen with the kind of smell that makes everyone ask what’s in the oven.
I always suggest this one if you want something easy that still feels homemade.
Get the recipe from Love & Lemons.
My Amazon Picks
If you need baking supplies for these Thanksgiving desserts, like pie dishes, cooling racks, or mixing bowls, plus a few decor items for your table, I’ve picked out some of my favorites to make it easy for you. You can find them all on my Amazon page.
Wrapping It Up
That’s my full list of Thanksgiving desserts to round out your holiday table this year. You don’t need to make all twenty, so pick a few favorites from each category and build out your Thanksgiving dessert spread from there.
Which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments.
If you’re still filling out your Thanksgiving table, a couple of my other posts can help round things out:
- 25 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes Every Holiday Table Needs for everything to serve alongside dinner before dessert comes out
- 14 Simple Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas That Impress Without Trying Too Hard if you want the table looking as good as it tastes
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