10 Dessert Recipes for Thanksgiving

As you plan your Thanksgiving feast, don’t overlook the opportunity to impress your guests with a selection of delectable desserts. Picture a table adorned with classic Pumpkin Pie, comforting Apple Crisp, and rich Pecan Pie. Imagine indulging in creamy Cheesecake or savoring festive Cranberry Cheesecake. Consider the delight of Maple Blondies, Chocolate Pecan Tarts, and fun Trifles. Each recipe offers a unique twist, promising to elevate your holiday gathering to new heights. Curious to know more?

1. Classic Pumpkin Pie

Ah, pumpkin pie. The heavyweight champion of Thanksgiving desserts.

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
  
  Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
3. Pour into the pie crust.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
5. Continue baking for 35-40 minutes until a knife inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool before serving.

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2. Homemade Apple Crisp

Indulge in a classic with this Homemade Apple Crisp recipe.

Sweet, crunchy, and just a tad nostalgic.

Your guests might even stop talking politics.

Ingredients:

• 6 large apples, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 cup butter, softened

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss apple slices with lemon juice.
3. Spread them evenly in a greased baking dish.
4. Mix brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
5. Cut in the butter until crumbly.
6. Sprinkle the mixture over the apples.
7. Bake for 45 minutes until the top is golden brown.
8. Serve warm, maybe with a dollop of ice cream.
9. Watch it vanish.

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3. Traditional Pecan Pie

Traditional Pecan Pie is like a warm hug from your Southern grandma.

Rich, gooey, and full of nutty goodness, it’s the hero of any Thanksgiving dessert table.

Ingredients:

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

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla.
3. Stir in pecans until well-coated.
4. Pour mixture into the pie crust.
5. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until pie filling is set.
6. Let cool before serving.

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4. Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

Cheesecake might just be the rockstar of the dessert world, and these creamy delights steal the Thanksgiving show.

Why settle for ordinary when you can have a cheesecake with a pumpkin twist?

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  
  Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, and 1/4 cup sugar; press onto bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
3. Beat cream cheese, remaining sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until blended.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low after each just until blended.
5. Reserve 1 1/2 cups batter; set aside.
6. Stir pumpkin and spices into remaining batter.
7. Spoon pumpkin batter over crust; top with spoonfuls of the reserved plain batter.
8. Swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
9. Bake 55 minutes or until center is set.
10. Cool completely before removing rim.
11. Refrigerate 4 hours.

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5. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Looking to shake things up this Thanksgiving with something deliciously different?

Festive Dessert Bars are where it’s at.

You’re welcome.

These bars are the sweet spot between pie and cookie that your feast needs.

Pumpkin and cheesecake in bar form.

Because why not?

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  
  Preparation:
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press into a 9×13 inch pan.
• Beat cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and sugar until smooth.
• Add eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice, mixing well.
• Pour over crust and bake for 45-50 minutes.
• Cool, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before slicing.

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6. Cranberry Almond Bars

Tart cranberries meet crunchy almonds.

Yes, please.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
  
  Preparation:
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly.
• Stir in almond extract and press into an 8×8 inch pan.
• Spread cranberry sauce over the crust.
• Sprinkle almonds on top.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Cool before cutting into bars.

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Get ready to wow your guests with these festive bars.

No pie plate required.

7. Layered Trifles

Layered trifles are like the dessert version of a dramatic soap opera—layers of complexity, surprises, and a little chaos.

This Thanksgiving, skip the pie and dazzle your guests with a trifle that’s as fun to eat as it’s to make.

Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cake (store-bought is fine, no one needs to know)
• 2 cups of vanilla pudding (again, no judgment if it’s instant)
• 2 cups of mixed berries (fresh or frozen, we’re chill here)
• 1 cup of whipped cream (homemade or the spray can, you do you)
• 1/2 cup of slivered almonds (because crunch is king)

Preparation:

1. Cut the pound cake into cubes and lay a generous layer at the bottom of your trifle dish.
2. Spoon a thick layer of vanilla pudding over the cake cubes.
3. Scatter a mix of berries over the pudding for some tangy flair.
4. Repeat the cake and pudding layers.
5. Top off with a glorious crown of whipped cream.
6. Sprinkle those slivered almonds on top like you’re sprinkling joy.
7. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, if you can wait that long.

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8. Sweet Cinnamon Rolls

Sweet cinnamon rolls are a great way to cap off your Thanksgiving feast with something warm and comforting.

The smell alone is worth the effort.

Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup softened butter (for filling)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
  
  Preparation:
• Mix warm milk with yeast and a tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit until foamy.
• In a large bowl, combine yeast mixture, sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Knead until smooth.
• Let the dough rise for about an hour until it doubles in size.
• Roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter.
• Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over buttered dough.
• Roll up the dough tightly and cut into rolls.
• Place rolls in a greased baking dish. Pour heavy cream over the top.
• Let them rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
• Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk for glaze. Pour over warm rolls.
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9. Cranberry Cheesecake

Cranberry Cheesecake Creation: because pumpkin pie needs a sidekick.

This dessert is rich, tangy, and a little bit sassy.

Your Thanksgiving table just got classier.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup whole cranberry sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons sugar in a bowl.
• Press mixture into the bottom of a springform pan.
• In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
• Add sugar and vanilla, mixing until combined.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Stir in sour cream.
• Pour mixture over crust.
• Mix cranberry sauce and cornstarch.
• Spoon over cheesecake batter.
• Swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
• Bake for 45 minutes.
• Cool, then refrigerate for 4 hours.

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10. Maple Blondies

Maple Blondies are the perfect blend of sweet and chewy, making them an irresistible addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table.

These bars pack a powerful punch of maple flavor that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter and brown sugar.
3. Add the eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in the nuts, if using.
7. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let cool before slicing into bars.
10. Enjoy your maple-infused treat!

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11. Chocolate Pecan Tarts

Chocolate Pecan Tarts are the dessert equivalent of wearing your fanciest pajamas to dinner.

They look fancy.

They taste fancy.

But they’re secretly easy.

And they’ll make you the hero of Thanksgiving dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons ice water
• 1 cup pecan halves, toasted
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
• Add butter and mix until crumbly.
• Stir in egg yolk and ice water until dough forms.
• Press dough into tart pans and chill for 15 minutes.
• Bake crusts for 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and set aside.
• In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat.
• Stir in corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt.
• Mix until smooth.
• Sprinkle pecans over crusts.
• Pour chocolate mixture over pecans.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until set.
• Cool before serving.
• Enjoy your fancy-not-fancy dessert.

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