8 Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes That Aren’t Pie
While pie is the de facto Turkey Day dessert, it’s not the only option to satisfy that sweet after dinner craving. There’s a plethora of desserts out there that deserve some attention on the most delicious day of the year—from cookies and cakelets to tarts and mousses.
If you’re looking for easy Thanksgiving dessert recipes, we recommend going the semi-homemade route by using premade baking mixes as your base, then jazzing it up a little—try topping your dessert with homemade caramel, chocolate sauce, fruit compote or spiced nuts or adding a little extra depth with high-quality vanilla or other flavored extracts.
If you’re looking to mix it up even further this Thanksgiving, we’ve rounded up a list of some of our favorite desserts that would be a delicious replacement—or complement—to pie. Check out our top 8 non-traditional Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are sure to keep guests coming back for seconds and thirds!
Don’t let Turkey Day catch you by surprise! With tips on menu planning, table setting and even a foolproof turkey guide, we’ve got everything to ensure the big day goes off without a hitch!
Baked Pears with Pecans and Maple Syrup
This gluten-free Thanksgiving dessert is simple yet elevated—and makes for a beautiful presentation on your plate when drizzled with maple syrup, honey or caramel. We love this recipe served alongside some ice cream, but it’s also great on its own, especially if you’re looking for healthier Thanksgiving dessert ideas and just want something light and sweet after a heavy meal.
The best part? It’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
Apple-Cranberry Crisp with Oatmeal Topping
The sweet aromas of warm apples, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon are an added bonus in this dessert, which is relatively easy to make with a simple and straightforward filling and crumbly, oatmeal- and pecan-based topping.
This Thanksgiving dessert is a great gluten-free substitute for a pie, delivering similar textures and flavors but without the fuss of a pie crust.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
This creamy, classic cheesecake recipe is a delicious twist on a classic pumpkin pie, with a slightly tangy, super smooth filling and a graham cracker crust. It includes a few dollops of sour cream, which helps lighten up the texture and density of the cake, ensuring it stays moist, light and fluffy. Be sure to use a springform pan to get the best results for this recipe.
Apple Blossom Tarts
Guests will love this bite-size and eye-catching dessert, which has a cinnamon sugar topping to complement the sweet, tart flavor of the Granny Smith apples.
Pro Tip: Use a vegetable sheet cutter attachment on your KitchenAid, or a mandoline for thin, even apple slices—this will ensure the “bloom” is easier to assemble.
White Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios
If you’re looking for an easy, no-bake Thanksgiving dessert, chocolate bark is a great option.
This recipe adds orange zest, cranberries and pistachios into the mix—but it’s easy to switch it up and experiment with your favorite ingredients or toppings. Sub out the white chocolate for dark if you prefer, or consider adding crushed peppermint, toasted coconut, roasted pecans or walnuts, or other kinds of stone fruits to your bark.
This dessert would be a great complement to Thanksgiving pie or served on a dessert charcuterie board alongside other sweet treats.
Don’t have time to make chocolate bark from scratch? Check out our selection of holiday confections for a quick and easy dessert option. Buy online and pick up in a store near you to ensure you have your goodies for the big feast!
Get the White Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios recipe!
Maple Autumn Cakelets
Maple extract elevates the flavor of this classic cake recipe—but it’s the cake molds that really give this Thanksgiving dessert a fun and festive twist. We love the small, individual portion sizes this creates, too. Top with a simple icing or glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of ice cream to complete this sweet treat.
Caramel Pecan Oatmeal Creme Pies
Yes, we know this has “pie” in the name—but this is not your traditional pie!
These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies are sandwiched together with a buttercream filling and will instantly give you a dose of nostalgia. Consider this an elevated, more sophisticated version of your favorite childhood sweet—complete with a caramel sauce and flaky sea salt to finish.
Pumpkin Mousse with Bourbon Whipped Cream
If you are looking for lighter Thanksgiving dessert ideas, look no further than this simple, no-bake Thanksgiving dessert recipe.
You’ll need at least an hour for this mousse to set, but it’s well worth the wait with the warm autumn flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. It also calls for vanilla paste, which has a creamier flavor and a slightly thicker consistency than normal vanilla extract. It also adds some visual appeal to whatever it’s added into, showing off small specks of the bean.
Don’t let Turkey Day catch you by surprise! With tips on menu planning, table setting and even a foolproof turkey guide, we’ve got everything to ensure the big day goes off without a hitch!
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