Many of you struggle every year to find the best dessert recipes for Thanksgiving. Considering this we selected a list of 12 easy and quick dessert ideas for Thanksgiving so you never have to worry or get stressed about it. You’ll rock on this festive day no matter if you get family and friends guests at home or if you are someone’s invitation for the holiday.
Organize an awesome Thanksgiving
Quick and easy ideas to prepare a fantastic Thanksgiving dessert that people can never forget will make them want you near every single holiday.
With the everyday stress from work and taking care of family and house, there is not much time left to think about ideas for Thanksgiving desserts and even less to prepare them.
Besides, we all know that there is no Thanksgiving without some of the most well-known fall pies like a delicious sweet potato pie or the inevitable pumpkin apple pie.
There is to say, we care about you and your time, and that’s why you can find here a list of easy and quick recipes for Thanksgiving desserts.
Moreover, a vegan Thanksgiving dessert option to cover any taste or diet and to make everyone happy.
How to accomplish it:
- Select your favorite recipe or recipes
- Organize all the required ingredients
- Prepare a Thanksgiving to treat in 30 minutes or less!
Thanksgiving dessert ideas list:
- Freezer Pumpkin Pie
- Classic Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Pumpkin Mousse Icebox Cake
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle
- Vegan Cranberry Pear Tart
- Easy Apple Tart
- Pumpkin Snack Cake
- Crustless Cranberry Pie
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
- White Chocolate Cranberry Ice Cream
- Turkey Handprint Cookies
- Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies Recipe
And an extra special treat for you at the end of this article.
1. Freezer Pumpkin Pie

This Thanksgiving frozen dessert is absolutely delicious! Many people liked it better than regular pumpkin pie, so it probably deserves your chance. Besides, we shared here the most healthy option of the Freezer Pumpkin Pie: instead of regular vanilla ice cream, use fat-free vanilla frozen yoghurt. Sounds like a cool tip. Try it and share how it turns out.
Additionally, the gingersnaps and pecans form the delicious baked crust for the pumpkin and ice cream filling.
Ingredients
For the Crust
1 cup ground pecans
1/2 cup finely crushed gingersnaps
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
Filling:
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1-quart vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
Whipped cream (optional)
Cooking directions
- In a bowl, combine the pecans, gingersnaps, sugar, and butter; mix well. Press into a 9-in. pie plate; bake at 450° for 5 minutes. Cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat the first 6 filling ingredients. Stir in ice cream and mix until well blended. Spoon into crust. Freeze until firm, at least 2-3 hours. Store in the freezer. If desired, top with whipped cream and additional crushed gingersnaps.
Adapted recipe from Eating Well.
2. Classic Apple Cranberry Crisp

This is a praise-winning Thanksgiving recipe that everyone wants to cook and give to their clan. And it gets even better when it cools down. So probably you should serve it cold instead of reheating it before serving. You’ll make anyone’s mouth water with this super tasty Thanksgiving dessert.
Ingredients
2 pounds Granny Smith apples – peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (3-5 apples)
¾ cup cranberries
¼ cup white sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup and 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon quick-cooking oats
¼ cup and 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
½ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup butter, cut into pieces
½ cup chopped pecans
Cooking directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Butter an 8-inch square baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together apples, cranberries, white sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Place evenly into a baking dish.
- In the same bowl, combine oats, flour, and brown sugar. With a fork, mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown, and the apples are tender.
Adapted recipe from All recipes.
3. Pumpkin Mousse Icebox Cake

Another hit for the family. They will want you to prepare all the Thanksgiving desserts from now on after trying this absolutely delicious and innovative Thanksgiving treat.
And the cherry on top of the cake for you: it’s an incredibly easy Thanksgiving dessert recipe! No-bake cake made with silky, sweet pumpkin mousse nestled between layers of graham crackers & vanilla whipped cream.
Ingredients
For the pumpkin mousse:
1 1/2 cups pure pumpkin puree
4-ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
pinch ground nutmeg
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 cup cold heavy cream
For the vanilla whipped cream:
1 cup chilled heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon sugar
For the cake:
2 to 3 sleeves graham crackers, whole
chocolate shavings
chopped pecans
Cooking directions
- In a food processor, combine pumpkin puree, cream cheese, light brown sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg; process until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- With the machine running, add maple syrup, and continue to process until combined. Set aside.
- In your mixer’s bowl, beat 1 cup heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the previously prepared pumpkin mixture into whipped cream.
- Refrigerate until ready to use, or at least 30 minutes.
In the meantime, prepare the Whipped Cream.
- In your mixer’s bowl combine heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar.
- Beat mixture until stiff peaks form.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Assemble
- Spread a little whipped cream on the bottom of a long and narrow plate or in a 9×13 pan.
- Place one single layer of 4 whole graham crackers over whipped cream.
- Spread 1/3 of the vanilla whipped cream over graham crackers.
- Spread 1/3 of the pumpkin mousse over whipped cream.
- Place a single layer of 4 whole graham crackers over pumpkin mousse.
- Continue to layer until you’ve used up all ingredients, ending with whipped cream to cover the entire cake.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Top with chocolate shavings and chopped pecans.
- Cut and Serve.
Adapted recipe from The diet Hood.
4. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle

Clearly one of the best dessert recipes for Thanksgiving. Super simple. Super Tasty. Super beautiful. And for that, it’s a Thanksgiving recipe idea worth sharing with you. Try it and check your clan reactions. This is a totally must-try for those who have a fall for apple desserts.
Ingredients
For the Apple Layer:
4 apples, finely chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the cinnamon whipped cream:
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup powdered sugar
Cinnamon
For the cheesecake layer:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup whipped cream
For the assembly of trifle:
Biscoff cookies (or Nilla Wafers/Graham Crackers), crushed
Good-quality caramel sauce topping (or make your own!)
Sea salt
Cooking directions
1. For the apple layer
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and stir until well combined. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, until the apples are tender and the brown sugar creates a thick glaze.
2. For the cinnamon whipped cream
In the bowl of your stand mixer or in a medium mixing bowl fitted with an electric hand mixer, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla on medium/medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat. Reserve 3/4 cup of whipped cream for the cheesecake layer. With the rest of the whipped cream, gently fold in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and taste. Add more cinnamon if desired.
3. For the cheesecake layer
In the bowl of your stand mixer or in a medium mixing bowl fitted with an electric hand mixer, whip together the cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gently fold in the whipped cream by hand.
4. When ready to assemble the trifle:
- Remove apples from the fridge and let them come closer to room temperature (Give them a quick zap in the microwave to speed up that process). Stir some sea salt into caramel to give it the desired salted caramel flavor.
- Alternate layers of crushed biscoff cookies, cheesecake layer, apples, cinnamon whipped cream, and salted caramel. Devour immediately.
Pay attention to these tips:
- It’s important to cut the apples into very fine dice, as bigger chunks of apples will take a lot longer to cook. Instead of using the stovetop, you could cook in a 375°F oven, stirring once or twice, until the apples are tender.
- We would choose to serve the trifles in little mini serving cups. The yield of the recipe depends upon the size of those serving cups. You could also make it in one big dish for a family-style dessert.
Adapted recipe from Shared Appetite.
5. Vegan Cranberry Pear Tart

Here you have it. A vegan recipe for Thanksgiving that will make you cry for more. One of the benefits is that you can also use the crust part often for other pies/desserts because it’s a great alternative for gluten intolerant people. Another positive aspect is that it is a healthy and tasty sweet! How da heck is that possible? Last but not least, this yummy is super quick and easy to prepare. Therefore deserves to be on the best Thanksgiving recipes dessert list.
Ingredients
Crust
2½ cups walnuts or pecans, toasted for 8 minutes in a 350º oven
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
½ teaspoon cinnamon
sea salt to taste
Filling
3 ripe pears, thinly sliced
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup maple syrup
¼ cup apple cider
¼ cup dried cranberries
Cooking directions
For the Crust:
- Combine the walnuts, dates, cinnamon, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture is well combined but not completely smooth. Press it into the bottom and up the sides of a nine-inch non-stick tart pan and refrigerate while you make the filling.
For the Filling:
- Place the pears, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, apple cider, and dried cranberries in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the pears are tender, for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the pears and cranberries with a slotted spoon to a bowl and set them aside.
- Return the pan to heat and cook the remaining liquid in the pan until it is reduced by half.
- Spread the fruit over the tart crust and pour the reduced liquid over it.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Adapted recipe from Forks Over Knives.
6. Easy Apple Tart

Many people still haven’t tried this kind of dessert yet but it is really worth a try. This crunchy and super scrumptious dessert is sure to win over everyone at home. That being said, we introduce this Thanksgiving recipe idea on this list.
But there is more: You can top it with a little vanilla ice cream and some cinnamon.
Ingredients
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, defrosted
6 Granny Smith apples
2 lemons
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick salted butter
caramel sauce, for topping
Cooking directions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cut apples into thin slices and add to a large bowl
- Zest and juice the lemons into the bowl
- Add the granulated sugar and cinnamon
- Stir to combine
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Unroll the puff pastry and cut the sheet into four pieces and place on a baking sheet
- Arrange 10-12 apple slices on each square of puff pastry. Be sure to leave a 1/2-inch border of dough on all sides!
- Top the apples with a few pieces of butter
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, until puffed and golden brown
- Top with caramel sauce
Adapted recipe from Brit + Co.
Quick reminder: we have a special treat and super delicious surprise to complement your Thanksgiving recipes ideas list at the end of the article
7. Pumpkin Snack Cake

Superb. This crunchy and easy-to-prepare Thanksgiving snack really deserves this place on the list. It’s an excellent choice for pumpkin desserts lovers but always wins the hearts of everyone. The cake is very moist and tasty, perfect for this time of the year and you can opt for alternatives in the frosting, making it very adaptable to all tastes.
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup canned pumpkin
topping:
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup salted pumpkin seeds or pepitas
1 tablespoon sugar
Cooking directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and cinnamon; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in a pan on a wire rack.
Adapted recipe from The Taste of Home.
8. Crustless Cranberry Pie

This could easily become your preferred choice. Why? Firstly, because it is a super easy, no-mixer Thanksgiving dessert, therefore perfect for last-minute dessert preparations. Secondly, it is perfect for those who truly hate to prepare the pie’s crust. Additionally, the pie crust carbs are saved to be consumed in other sweet and tasty Thanksgiving desserts.
Ingredients
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or to taste
1/2 to 1 teaspoon almond extract, or to taste
2 cups plus 1/4 cup fresh cranberries, divided (we have only made with fresh and cannot comment on using frozen)
Cooking directions
- Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, melt the butter before stirring in the remaining wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the cranberries, then turn the batter into a greased pie plate. Sprinkle additional fresh cranberries and sugar on top, then bake until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a 9-inch round pie dish very well with cooking spray; set aside. You can use a glass pie dish; baking times may vary if using metal.
- To a large bowl, add 1 cup sugar, flour, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and whisk to combine; set aside.
- To a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 45 seconds. Wait momentarily before adding the eggs so you don’t scramble them.
- Add the eggs, extracts, and whisk to combine.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry and stir to combine; don’t overmix.
- Add 2 cups cranberries and stir to combine; the batter is very thick.
- Turn the mixture out into a prepared pie dish, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
- Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup cranberries over the top.
- Evenly sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the top and bake for about 34 to 38 minutes, or until edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no batter. If you underbake slightly (33-34 minutes), you can get a more gooey center but it’s personal preference and since all ovens, climates, and berries vary, watch your pie and not the clock.
- Allow pie to cool in the pie dish on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
- Optionally serve with whipped topping or ice cream. The pie will keep airtight at room temp for up to 5 days.
Adapted recipe from Averie Cooks.
9. Chocolate Pecan Pie

Another super easy Thanksgiving recipe idea but this time using melted chocolate. The classic pecan pie turned into a rich pudding-like texture. Just yummy. You can create the pie crust by yourself following this amazing recipe or you can take a shortcut and use a pre-made crust. Additionally, being a kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipe dessert is the perfect choice to get some handy helpers and consequently provides a very fun and educational family moment for your little ones.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter
3 ounces chopped semi-sweet chocolate
2/3 cup Karo® Light OR Dark Corn Syrup
3 eggs, lightly whisked
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
1 (9-inch) unbaked OR frozen deep-dish pie crust
Cooking directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a small saucepan melt the butter and chocolate over medium-low heat until melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix together corn syrup, eggs, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the melted chocolate and pecans until combined.
- Pour mixture into pie crust.
- Bake on the center rack of the oven for 60 to 70 minutes. Cool for at least 2 hours on a wire rack before serving.
Tip:
If you are using a prepared frozen pie crust, place the cookie sheet in the oven and preheat the oven as directed. Pour filling into frozen crust and bake on a preheated cookie sheet. The pie is done when the center reaches 200°F. Tap the center surface of the pie lightly – it should spring back when done. If pie crust is over-browning, cover edges with foil.
Adapted recipe from Cookies and Cups.
10. White Chocolate Cranberry Ice Cream

An ice cream choice for Thanksgiving desserts ideas. Why not? Besides super fresh and tasty White Chocolate and Cranberry Ice Cream dessert is the perfect, easy no-machine ice cream recipe for your Thanksgiving or even Christmas dessert. Moreover, is another child-friendly recipe idea for Thanksgiving, bringing kids into the holiday festive spirit.
Just takes 10 minutes to prepare but you need to freeze it. Therefore we recommend you do it the day before in order to freeze it overnight.
Ingredients
1 x 14 ounce (1 Can/ 400ml) sweetened condensed milk, cold
2 cups (16oz/450ml) heavy fresh dairy cream, cold
1 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
1 1/2 cup (15oz/425g) cranberry sauce
1/2 cup ( 3oz/85g) white chocolate chips
Cooking directions
- Beat cold heavy fresh dairy cream on medium in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer) until stiff peaks form.
- Turn down the speed a little and pour the condensed milk into the whipped cream. (Stir in vanilla extract now if desired).
- Then, turn up the machine speed again and whip until your mixture is thick and too stiff peaks.
- Now you have your ice cream base added in your white chocolate chips and cranberry sauce. Fold until the desired color is reached (we recommend a streaky pink color)
- Freeze at least 4 hours or overnight before scooping and serving.
Adapted recipe from Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking.
As promised, here you have your extra special Thanksgiving treat recipes:
Pecan Pie Brownies
Like the Thanksgiving snack recipe idea mentioned above, it’s also an easy-to-prepare and a wonderful, super tasty dessert for Thanksgiving or for other times of the year. Plus, the pecan pie shape makes this festive treat one of the richest, so you won’t need a big chunk to feed many people.
With a delicious pecan pie topping, this is clearly a must-have recipe idea to prepare for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
Brownies:
Use a boxed mix, or use the following ingredients for homemade brownies
1 cup butter (2 sticks), melted
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1- 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1- 1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp. flour (for tossing chocolate chips)
Pecan Pie topping:
1/3 cup corn syrup
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 tsp. salt
3-1/2 cups pecans
Cooking directions
-
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees
- Brownies (if not using a boxed mix)
- Sift the flour, salt, and cocoa and set aside.
- Add the butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs (one at a time) to a large bowl. Mix together.
- Add the flour mixture and mix well.
- Sprinkle the tsp of flour over the chocolate chips in a small bowl and toss. Add the chocolate chips to the mixture and mix well.
- Pour into a greased 9″ x 13″ casserole dish and bake for 25 minutes. Set aside.
- Pecan Pie Topping
- Add the corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, and melted butter to a medium-sized bowl. Mix together.
- Add the pecans and stir until all are covered.
- Pour over the brownies and spread out gently.
- Bake again for 25-30 minutes until done.
Adapted recipe from Back to My Southern Roots.
Portuguese Baked Apple Pie
Like the Thanksgiving snack recipe idea mentioned above, it’s also an easy-to-prepare and a wonderful, super tasty dessert for Thanksgiving or for other times of the year. Plus, the pecan pie shape makes this festive treat one of the richest, so you won’t need a big chunk to feed many people.
With a delicious pecan pie topping, this is clearly a must-have recipe idea to prepare for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients:
For the pie:
6 baked apples
14 oz of puff pastry
5 oz of sugar
7 yolks
1/2 cup of cream
1 tablespoon of milk
Powdered sugar for dusting
flour to sprinkle
To prepare baked apples:
4 reinette apples
3,5 oz of sugar
a cup of port wine
4 sticks of cinnamon sticks
cinnamon powder q.s.
Cooking directions
For the baked apples:
- Wash and arrange the apples, removing the stone, as seen in the photo. Drizzle the apples with port, sugar, and cinnamon. Place a cinnamon stick in the center of each apple and place them in a preheated oven at 180ºC, for about 20 minutes or until they are cooked through.
- Remove apples from the oven, decorate to taste, and serve.
For the pie:
- After roasting the apples, allow them to cool, carefully remove the skin without breaking them and cut them into large pieces. Reserve.
- Roll out the flour-dusted puff pastry, line a tart, trim and cut the leftover dough into strips. Place the roasted apple pieces inside the pie.
- In a bowl, beat the sugar with 6 yolks and the cream, drizzle the pie with this preparation and arrange the puff pastry strips on top, as seen in the photo. In a bowl, mix the remaining yolk with the milk, brush the strips and the edge of the puff pastry, and place in a preheated oven at 180ºC for approximately 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, unmold and serve, warm or cold and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Adapted recipe from Teleculinaria.
Time to Enjoy the Most Tasty Thanksgiving Ever
Summing up, if you can have time to cook and bake delicious desserts but no time to enjoy the holiday among your relatives, what is the point?
Thinking of you and your family, we chose these 12 quick and easy Thanksgiving desserts ideas to help you save time, body, and mind.
Our aim is also to provide the best Thanksgiving holiday for you and your loved ones. Having said this, let’s cook and bake! It’s party time and we are already smelling your kitchen from here.
Please don’t forget to share these lists with your friends and family. Probably they can get their “hands dirty” too and offer you a treat 😉
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