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Pumpkin pie will always have a spot at the Thanksgiving table, but it doesn’t have to be the only dessert there. If you want something that feels just as festive with a little more variety, this list has you covered, from rich pecan pies and creamy cheesecakes to bright cranberry bakes and cozy pear desserts.
You’ll find showstopping pies for the main event, easy bars and cookies that are perfect for feeding a crowd, and a few make-ahead options that free up your oven on the big day. Many of these can be baked a day or two early, which makes Thanksgiving morning a lot less stressful.
I rounded up 15 of the best Thanksgiving desserts from some of my favourite food bloggers, so you can mix up your dessert table this year.
The Best Thanksgiving Desserts Beyond Pumpkin Pie
This article is all about the best Thanksgiving desserts.
1. Classic Pecan Pie
What it is: The Thanksgiving classic: a buttery crust filled with a sweet, gooey filling and loaded with toasted pecans.
The filling is just sugar, eggs, corn syrup (or maple syrup), melted butter, vanilla and pecans, and it only takes about 55 minutes plus cooling. Tip: use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. The centre should reach about 93°C (200°F), and the pie firms up more as it cools, so let it cool completely before slicing.
2. Pecan Pie Bars
What it is: All the flavour of pecan pie on a buttery shortbread crust, baked in a pan and cut into easy-to-serve squares.
A little heavy cream makes the filling extra rich, and the bars are perfect for potlucks or a big family dinner. Plan on about 3 hours 30 minutes, since most of that is resting time. Tip: press the crust about half an inch up the sides of the pan so the filling can’t seep underneath, and chill the bars for 2 hours before cutting.
3. Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
What it is: A grown-up twist on pecan pie with melty chocolate chips and a splash of bourbon.
Brown sugar, corn syrup and butter make the filling deep and caramel-like, and it bakes in a deep-dish crust in about 1 hour 15 minutes. Tip: don’t pre-bake the crust. Start the pie at a high temperature, then lower it and shield the crust edges with foil so they don’t over-brown.
4. Pecan Pie Cheesecake
What it is: Two holiday favourites in one: creamy vanilla cheesecake on a graham cracker crust, topped with a gooey pecan pie layer.
It’s a showstopper that can be made the day before, which is a huge help on Thanksgiving. Allow about 5 hours 40 minutes, including at least 4 hours in the fridge. Tip: let the cheesecake chill for the full 4 hours before releasing the springform pan so it holds its shape.
5. Cranberry Bliss Bars
What it is: A homemade version of the coffee shop favourite: chewy brown sugar blondies with dried cranberries and white chocolate, topped with cream cheese frosting.
A drizzle of white chocolate and extra cranberries on top makes them look so festive. They take about an hour from start to finish. Tip: chill the bars for at least 20 minutes after frosting so you get clean, neat triangles when you cut them.
6. Cranberry Upside Down Cake
What it is: A tender butter cake topped with a glossy, jewel-red layer of sweet-tart cranberries.
Fresh or frozen cranberries both work, and a spoonful of jam in the topping gives it that beautiful shine. It’s ready in about 1 hour 5 minutes. Tip: if you’re using frozen cranberries, thaw them, drain off the liquid and pat them dry so the topping doesn’t turn watery.
7. Cranberry Curd Tart
What it is: A silky, vibrant cranberry and orange curd in a spiced gingersnap crust, finished with sugared cranberries.
It’s tangy, elegant and a total showstopper on a dessert table. Allow about 6 hours, since the tart needs to chill for 4 of them. Tip: let the curd cool to below 52°C (125°F) before straining it. It strains much more smoothly at that temperature.
8. Pear Crisp
What it is: Juicy cinnamon pears baked under a buttery oat and brown sugar topping with a hint of ginger.
It’s a cozy, low-fuss alternative to pie that’s ready in about an hour. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Tip: choose pears that are ripe but still firm. Very soft pears release too much juice and make the filling watery.
9. Pear Galette
What it is: A rustic, free-form tart with thinly sliced Bartlett pears, cinnamon and vanilla folded into a flaky cream cheese crust.
It looks impressive but is much more forgiving than a pie, and it takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. A sprinkle of coarse sugar on the crust adds crunch. Tip: chill the dough well before rolling so the butter stays firm. That keeps it easy to work with and makes the crust extra flaky.
10. Maple Cheesecake
What it is: A rich, creamy cheesecake sweetened with pure maple syrup on a pecan crust, topped with maple whipped cream.
Mascarpone makes the filling extra smooth, and it’s a perfect make-ahead dessert since it needs to chill for several hours. Allow about 7 hours 30 minutes in total. Tip: don’t overbake it. Take it out while the centre still jiggles a little, and it will set as it cools.
11. French Silk Pie
What it is: A silky, mousse-like chocolate pie piled high with whipped cream and chocolate curls.
It’s the perfect pick for the chocolate lovers at your table, and it’s made ahead since it needs at least 6 hours in the fridge. Tip: make easy chocolate curls by running a vegetable peeler along the side of a chocolate bar. Mini chocolate chips work too if you’re short on time.
12. Chai Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
What it is: A soft, warmly spiced cake made with chai-infused milk, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, covered in nutty brown butter cream cheese frosting.
Sour cream keeps the crumb moist, and the spices make it feel like fall in every bite. The cake itself takes about 55 minutes. Tip: brown the butter a few hours or a day ahead so it has time to firm up, and scrape in all the brown bits, since that’s where the flavour is.
13. Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
What it is: Warm, custardy bread pudding with cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped nuts, drizzled with a quick brown sugar caramel sauce.
It’s a cozy, budget-friendly dessert and a great way to use up leftover bread. Plan on about 1 hour 10 minutes plus a short soak. Tip: let the bread cubes sit in the custard for about 20 minutes before baking. Stale bread soaks it up best.
14. Gingerbread Cake
What it is: A moist molasses spice cake with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, frosted with a maple and cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
It’s the perfect bridge between Thanksgiving and the Christmas season, and it takes about 1 hour 25 minutes including cooling. Tip: spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off instead of scooping straight from the bag. Too much flour makes the cake dense.
15. Maple Pecan Cookies
What it is: Soft, buttery brown sugar cookies made with pure maple syrup and toasted pecans, finished with a sweet maple glaze and flaky salt.
They’re ready in about 40 minutes and are great for a dessert platter or for sending guests home with a treat. Tip: let the cookies cool completely before glazing, or the glaze will melt right off.
Tips for Planning Your Thanksgiving Desserts
- Offer variety. Pick one pie, one chocolate option and one fruity or lighter dessert so there’s something for everyone.
- Bake ahead. Cheesecakes, tarts, French silk pie and bars all taste great made a day or two early.
- Plan your oven time. Bake desserts the day before so the oven is free for the turkey and sides.
- Think about serving size. Bars and cookies are easy to grab, which is great when everyone wants a little taste of everything.
- Don’t forget toppings. Whipped cream, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce make any dessert feel extra special.
Which Thanksgiving dessert are you making this year? Pin this post so you can find it again for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving and all your holiday baking!
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