10 Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes to Impress Your Guests

Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without a selection of delicious desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. From classic pies to modern twists, here are ten easy Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are sure to impress your guests!

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1. Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust, unbaked
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, cream, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set.
4. Allow to cool before slicing and serving.

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2. Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust, unbaked
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups pecan halves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Stir in the pecans. Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.
4. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden. Let cool before serving.

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3. Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 6 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix sliced apples with sugar and cinnamon. Spread in a greased baking dish.
3. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter. Sprinkle over the apples.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the apples are tender and the topping is golden.

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4. Chocolate Cream Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust, baked
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 3/4 cups milk
• 4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Whipped cream for topping

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly over medium heat until thickened.
2. Remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate and vanilla until smooth.
3. Pour filling into the baked pie crust and let cool. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Top with whipped cream.

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5. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained

For the Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add oil and eggs, mixing well. Stir in carrots and pineapple.
3. Divide batter between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
4. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
5. Frost the cooled cakes and stack them. Garnish with nuts if desired.

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6. Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Mix in cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt. Spread half of the batter in the pan.
4. In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree with pumpkin pie spice. Spread the pumpkin mixture over the brownie batter and swirl with a knife. Pour the remaining brownie batter on top.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool before cutting into squares.

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7. Mini Cheesecakes with Cranberry Topping

Ingredients:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Topping:

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of each liner.
3. In another bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
4. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crusts and bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool before refrigerating.
5. For the topping, simmer cranberries, sugar, and water until cranberries burst and sauce thickens. Let cool before spooning over the cheesecakes.

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8. Maple Pecan Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and salt. Gradually add flour, mixing until crumbly.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. In another bowl, whisk together maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in pecans. Pour over the baked crust.
5. Bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until set. Let cool before cutting into bars.

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9. Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup molasses

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses, mixing well.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
5. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool before decorating with icing.