17 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

17 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

Thanksgiving is a time for sweet joy and cozy food. These Thanksgiving dessert ideas are easy, tasty, and full of love.

From pies to cakes, each dessert brings warmth and smiles. Try these 17 sweet treats to make your holiday extra special and full of flavor.

1. Apple Crisp Recipe

This Apple Crisp Recipe is sweet, soft and crunchy. It’s the perfect fall dessert.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 6
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 55 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Bowl

Ingredients

  • 5 apples, sliced
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup butter

Instructions

  1. Mix apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Put in baking dish.
  3. Mix oats, flour, and butter.
  4. Sprinkle on top.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 40 mins.

2. Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Pumpkin Pie Recipe

This Pumpkin Pie Recipe is creamy, rich, and full of spice.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Pie pan
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust
  • 2 cups pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Mix pumpkin, eggs, milk, sugar, and spices.
  2. Pour into crust.
  3. Bake at 375°F for 50 mins.

3. Chocolate Pie Recipe

The Chocolate Pie Recipe is rich, smooth and creamy.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Mix milk, cocoa, sugar, and yolks.
  2. Cook until thick.
  3. Add vanilla.
  4. Pour into crust and chill.

4. Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

The Sweet Potato Pie Recipe is soft, smooth and sweet.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Pie pan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 pie crust

Instructions

  1. Mix potatoes, eggs, sugar, milk, and cinnamon.
  2. Pour into crust.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 50 mins.

5. Chocolate Pudding Recipe

This Chocolate Pudding Recipe is rich, silky, and full of chocolate taste.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Mix sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch.
  2. Add milk slowly and cook.
  3. Stir until thick.
  4. Add vanilla.

6. Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

The Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe is creamy, sweet, and smooth.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Pan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cream cheese
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 crust

Instructions

  1. Mix cheese, sugar, and eggs.
  2. Add pumpkin and cinnamon.
  3. Pour into crust.
  4. Bake at 325°F for 50 mins.

7. Apple Pie Recipe

The Apple Pie Recipe is sweet, warm, and classic.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Pie dish
  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 2 pie crusts
  • 6 apples, sliced
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Mix apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Put in crust.
  3. Add top crust.
  4. Bake at 375°F for 45 mins.

8. Cranberry Bars Recipe

Cranberry Bars Recipe
Cranberry Bars Recipe

The Cranberry Bars Recipe is tangy, sweet and buttery.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 9
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking pan
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup cranberries

Instructions

  1. Mix flour, butter, and sugar.
  2. Spread half in pan.
  3. Add cranberries.
  4. Top with rest of dough.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 35 mins.

9. Pumpkin Bread Recipe

This Pumpkin Bread Recipe is soft, moist, and full of spice.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 10
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Loaf pan
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup oil

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Pour into pan.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 50 mins.

10. Pecan Pie Recipe

The Pecan Pie Recipe is buttery, sweet, and nutty.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Pie pan
  • Whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups pecans
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Mix syrup, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.
  2. Add pecans.
  3. Pour into crust.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 50 mins.

11. Sweet Potato Cupcakes Recipe

The Sweet Potato Cupcakes Recipe is light, moist, and creamy.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 12
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Muffin pan
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup mashed sweet potato
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Pour into cups.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 25 mins.

12. Cranberry Cake Recipe

The Cranberry Cake Recipe is soft, fruity, and light.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Cake pan
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  1. Mix butter, sugar, and eggs.
  2. Add flour and cranberries.
  3. Pour into pan.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 35 mins.

13. Pumpkin Roll Recipe

The Pumpkin Roll Recipe is soft with a creamy swirl.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 8
  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup cream cheese frosting

Instructions

  1. Mix eggs, sugar, and pumpkin.
  2. Add flour and bake for 15 mins.
  3. Spread frosting and roll.

14. Chocolate Mousse Recipe

The Chocolate Mousse Recipe is light, airy, and chocolatey.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: French

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Melt chocolate.
  2. Whip cream and sugar.
  3. Mix and chill.

15. Maple Blondies Recipe

The Maple Blondies Recipe is chewy and full of flavor.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 9
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking pan
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Mix butter and sugar.
  2. Add egg, syrup, and flour.
  3. Pour into pan.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 25 mins.

16. Pecan Cookies Recipe

The Pecan Cookies Recipe is crisp, nutty, and buttery.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 12
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Baking tray
  • Mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup pecans

Instructions

  1. Mix butter and sugar.
  2. Add flour and pecans.
  3. Shape into balls.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 15 mins.

17. Pumpkin Trifle Recipe

The Pumpkin Trifle Recipe is creamy and layered with fall flavor.

Recipe Card Info

  • Servings: 6
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • Glass bowl
  • Spoon

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pumpkin pudding
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • 1 cup crushed cookies

Instructions

  1. Layer cookies, pudding, and cream.
  2. Repeat layers and chill.

Health Benefits

These desserts give both joy and nutrients. Pumpkin and sweet potato add vitamins. Apples and cranberries give fiber and antioxidants. Nuts provide healthy fats for heart health. Dark chocolate adds antioxidants and boosts mood.

Final Thought on 17 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

These 17 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas make your holiday sweet and joyful. Each recipe is simple, quick, and full of flavor.

Bake, share and enjoy these treats with family and friends — because Thanksgiving is best when it’s full of love and dessert.

Hi, I’m Emily Grace! I love cooking simple, tasty food that brings people together. On Bite Dive, I share easy recipes, fun food tips, and ideas to make every meal special. My kitchen is my happy place, and I’m so excited to share it with you!