20 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts (Simple & Delicious Recipes)

By /
Pumpkin Cookies with Glaze
20 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts (Simple & Delicious Recipes)

Sweet Holiday Finales

Thanksgiving desserts need not require hours of complicated preparation or advanced baking skills. These twenty easy Thanksgiving desserts prove that delicious, impressive sweets emerge from straightforward recipes and accessible techniques. From classic pumpkin pies to creative fruit crisps to no-bake options, each recipe delivers satisfaction without stress. Master these desserts and conclude Thanksgiving dinners with memorable sweet endings that guests will praise and request year after year.

Why These Thanksgiving Desserts Work

Seasonal ingredients celebrate autumn flavors everyone loves. Simple techniques eliminate intimidation for novice bakers. Many recipes prepare ahead, reducing day-of stress. Store-bought shortcuts make impressive desserts achievable. These recipes prove that delicious desserts need not require expert-level skills.

Classic Pumpkin Desserts

1. Traditional Pumpkin Pie

Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Beloved classic that becomes easy with prepared crust.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In large bowl, mix pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
  3. Beat in eggs.
  4. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
  5. Pour into pie crust.
  6. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
  7. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees.
  8. Bake for 40-50 minutes until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
  9. Cool on wire rack for at least 2 hours.
  10. Serve with whipped cream.

2. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

Time: 20 Minutes (plus 4 hours chilling)

Impressive dessert with zero baking required.

Ingredients (Serves 8):

  • 1 prepared graham cracker crust
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 8 ounces whipped topping

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
  2. Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
  3. Beat until combined.
  4. Fold in whipped topping gently.
  5. Pour into prepared crust.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  7. Serve chilled.

3. Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Moist spiced cake with luxurious frosting.

Ingredients:

  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
  3. In large bowl, beat eggs and granulated sugar.
  4. Add pumpkin puree and oil.
  5. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
  6. Pour into greased 9×13 baking pan.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool completely.
  9. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter.
  10. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
  11. Frost cooled cake.

4. Pumpkin Cookies with Glaze

Time: 45 Minutes

Soft cake-like cookies become holiday favorite.

Ingredients (Makes 24):

  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons milk

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
  3. In large bowl, mix pumpkin, sugar, and oil.
  4. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  5. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  6. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are light golden.
  8. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes.
  9. For glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk.
  10. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

Apple and Fruit Desserts

5. Apple Crisp

Time: 50 Minutes

Warm, comforting dessert that tastes like home.

Ingredients (Serves 8):

  • 8 apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In baking dish, toss sliced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon.
  3. In bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
  4. Add melted butter and stir until resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Spread oat mixture over apples.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until apples are tender and topping is golden.
  7. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

6. Apple Pie

Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Classic pie becomes simple with prepared crust.

Ingredients:

  • 2 prepared pie crusts
  • 8 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 egg, beaten

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In large bowl, combine apples, both sugars, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. Place one crust in 9-inch pie pan.
  4. Pour apple filling into crust.
  5. Dot with butter.
  6. Place second crust on top.
  7. Brush with beaten egg.
  8. Cut vents in top crust.
  9. Bake for 45-50 minutes until crust is golden.
  10. Cool before serving.

7. Cranberry-Apple Compote

Time: 25 Minutes

Bright fruit compote served over cake or ice cream.

Ingredients (Serves 8):

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 3 apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup water
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • Zest of 1 orange

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. In saucepan, combine water and sugar.
  2. Bring to a boil.
  3. Add cranberries, apples, cinnamon stick, cloves, and orange zest.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until berries burst.
  5. Remove spices.
  6. Cool slightly.
  7. Serve over vanilla cake or ice cream.

Pecan and Nut Desserts

8. Pecan Pie

Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Nutty classic becomes simple with basic ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In bowl, beat eggs.
  3. Add corn syrup, melted butter, vanilla, and salt.
  4. Stir until combined.
  5. Stir in pecan halves.
  6. Pour into pie crust.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes until center is set.
  8. Cool before serving.

9. Chocolate Pecan Brownies

Time: 40 Minutes

Rich chocolate brownie with nutty crunch.

Ingredients (Makes 16):

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Melt butter and chocolate together.
  3. Remove from heat.
  4. Stir in sugar.
  5. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  6. Add flour and salt.
  7. Fold in chopped pecans.
  8. Spread in greased 8×8 baking pan.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out with few crumbs.
  10. Cool and cut into squares.

10. Butter Pecan Cake

Time: 1 Hour

Elegant layer cake with buttery frosting.

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened (frosting)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk (frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (frosting)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time.
  5. Alternately add flour mixture and milk.
  6. Add vanilla and fold in pecans.
  7. Divide between two greased 8-inch round pans.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out.
  10. For frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
  11. Frost cooled cake layers.

No-Bake and Simple Desserts

11. Chocolate Mousse

Time: 15 Minutes (plus 2 hours chilling)

Elegant yet simple dessert requiring no baking.

Ingredients (Serves 6):

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream until steaming.
  2. Add chocolate and butter.
  3. Stir until melted and smooth.
  4. Add sugar and vanilla.
  5. Cool for 10 minutes.
  6. Whip remaining cream until stiff peaks form.
  7. Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture.
  8. Divide into serving cups.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  10. Serve chilled.

12. Pumpkin Trifle

Time: 30 Minutes (plus chilling)

Impressive layered dessert becomes easy with prepared items.

Ingredients (Serves 12):

  • 1 store-bought pound cake, cubed
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Candied pecans for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
  2. Fold in pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla.
  3. In large trifle dish, layer cake cubes and pumpkin mixture alternately.
  4. Start with cake cubes, end with pumpkin mixture.
  5. Top with candied pecans.
  6. Refrigerate until serving.

13. Gingerbread Cookies

Time: 45 Minutes

Spiced cookies that capture autumn flavors.

Ingredients (Makes 24):

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
  3. Beat in molasses and egg.
  4. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir.
  6. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are set.
  8. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes.
  9. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

14. Dessert Parfait Cups

Time: 20 Minutes

Individual servings become elegant presentation.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup granola
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • Candied pecans for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Mix Greek yogurt with honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.
  2. In individual cups, layer yogurt mixture and granola alternately.
  3. Start with yogurt, end with yogurt.
  4. Top with cranberries and candied pecans.
  5. Refrigerate until serving.

15. Pumpkin Tart with Whipped Cream

Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes

Individual tarts become fancy presentation.

Ingredients (Serves 8):

  • 1 package prepared tart shells
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • Whipped cream for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Mix pumpkin, cream, brown sugar, egg, and pumpkin pie spice.
  3. Divide filling among tart shells.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until set.
  5. Cool completely.
  6. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Quick and Easy Options

16. Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream Sundaes

Time: 10 Minutes

Easiest impressive dessert using store-bought ice cream.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

  • 1 quart vanilla ice cream
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • Candied pecans
  • Caramel sauce
  • Whipped cream

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Soften vanilla ice cream slightly.
  2. Mix pumpkin, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.
  3. Swirl pumpkin mixture into softened ice cream.
  4. Scoop into serving bowls.
  5. Top with candied pecans, caramel sauce, and whipped cream.
  6. Serve immediately.

17. Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips

Time: 20 Minutes

Crispy sweet snack requires minimal ingredients.

Ingredients (Serves 6):

  • 8 flour tortillas, cut into triangles
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Brush tortilla triangles with melted butter.
  3. Mix sugar and cinnamon.
  4. Sprinkle mixture over tortillas.
  5. Spread on baking sheets.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until crispy.
  7. Cool on wire racks.
  8. Serve with apple dip or chocolate sauce.

18. Chocolate Caramel Apples

Time: 30 Minutes

Classic treat becomes elegant Thanksgiving dessert.

Ingredients (Makes 4):

  • 4 apples
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Wash and dry apples.
  2. Insert sticks into apple tops.
  3. Melt chocolate chips with butter.
  4. Dip apples in melted chocolate.
  5. Drizzle with caramel sauce.
  6. Roll in chopped pecans.
  7. Place on parchment paper to set.
  8. Serve at room temperature.

19. Berry Pound Cake Parfait

Time: 15 Minutes

Fancy dessert using store-bought ingredients.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

  • 1 store-bought pound cake, cubed
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Whip cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
  2. In saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, and water.
  3. Simmer for 10 minutes until berries burst.
  4. Cool slightly.
  5. In parfait glasses, layer pound cake and whipped cream.
  6. Top with warm berry compote.
  7. Serve immediately.

20. Maple Walnut Fudge

Time: 20 Minutes (plus 2 hours setting)

No-bake candy becomes simple homemade treat.

Ingredients (Makes 16 pieces):

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Line 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Melt butter in saucepan.
  3. Remove from heat.
  4. Add cocoa powder and stir.
  5. Add powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla.
  6. Mix until smooth.
  7. Fold in chopped walnuts.
  8. Spread in prepared pan.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
  10. Cut into squares and serve.

Thanksgiving Dessert Success Tips

Make ahead when possible:

Many desserts prepare beautifully the day before. Store in airtight containers or covered dishes. Advance preparation reduces day-of stress and allows flavors to develop.

Use store-bought shortcuts:

Prepared crusts, pound cakes, and tart shells save time without quality loss. Combining quality purchased items with fresh preparation creates impressive results efficiently.

Have backup desserts:

Prepare one additional simple dessert in case main dessert has issues. No-bake options work well for backups. Peace of mind allows relaxation during meal.

Arrange attractive presentation:

Beautiful plating elevates even simple desserts. Use serving platters that contrast with food colors. Garnishes like whipped cream or candied nuts add visual appeal.

Offer variety:

Include mix of warm and cold desserts when possible. Combine rich options with lighter ones. Choices allow guests to select preferred dessert.

Keep portions manageable:

Thanksgiving meals are large, so dessert portions can be smaller. Individual servings look elegant and allow guests to try multiple options. Smaller portions let guests enjoy variety.

These twenty easy Thanksgiving desserts prove that impressive sweet finales need not require expert baking skills or hours of preparation. With simple recipes and accessible techniques, create memorable desserts that guests will remember and request year after year.

Related Posts

Scroll to Top