If you’re looking for some new Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are creative and delicious, you will love this recipe round-up! I love to put a twist on desserts for the holiday like baking apple pie in apples, combining cake with pumpkin pie, or baking up a batch of fall-inspired cookies. So, here are some of my favorite recipes I’ve made over the years. I hope you find some new ones to try.
Cakes
Pies seem like the obvious choice for Thanksgiving dessert, but I like to have cake as an option, too, because there are a few in our family who prefer it. So, here are some of my favorite cake recipes that I’ve made over the years.
Invisible Apple Cake | This impressive cake features dozens of layers of thinly sliced apples held together with only a small amount of cake batter. It’s the perfect dessert for the holiday. For a similar, but easier version, you might like my French apple cake, too.
Pumpkin Mascarpone Cake | This is part cheesecake and part cake with a very light and fluffy texture. It’s a great option if you are looking for something besides pumpkin pie to serve for dessert.
Eggless Pumpkin Custard Cake | This is a simple pumpkin cake that is perfect with a cup of coffee after the big meal! I also have a pumpkin pound cake that you might like, too.
4-Ingredient Apple Cake | This cake is so easy and you don’t need any butter, oil, or baking powder to make it.
Pumpkin Magic Cake | This two-layer dessert has a layer of pumpkin pie and a layer of chocolate cake, creating a very moist and delicious cake. The magic part is that the dessert separates into two layers while baking.
Pumpkin Nutella Cakes | These individual pumpkin-flavored cakes are moist and fluffy and filled with a delicious Nutella spread. They taste like pumpkin bread, but in cute pumpkin form.
Sweet Potato Cupcakes | These are a fun treat and a nice way to switch up your Thanksgiving dessert. I bake them in a rose cupcake pan, but you can also use a standard cupcake pan to make them.
Apple Cake | This is a really simple cake made with fresh apples and cinnamon.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes | Just like the popular fall coffee drink, but made into cupcakes. These are soft and sweet with whipped coffee-flavored frosting.
Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake | This is a combination of a traditional cheesecake swirled with pumpkin cheesecake flavored with fall spices. If you’re looking for a different idea for Thanksgiving dessert, this marbled pumpkin cheesecake would be a great option.
Cookies and Bars
I love fall-themed cookies and dessert bars made with pumpkin and warm spices. These are great dessert options for the holidays because, in many cases, you can make them a day or two in advance of the holiday. The only problem with that is resisting the urge to eat them before the big day!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars | These are a great make-ahead dessert for Thanksgiving. The bars are flavored with pumpkin and are rich, dense, and full of chocolate chips.
Pumpkin Spice Shortbread Cookies | These buttery shortbread cookies with a hint of pumpkin are sandwiched together with dulce de leche sauce.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies | This is one of my favorite cookie recipes to make for Thanksgiving. The pumpkin cookies are soft and delicious.
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles | These cookies are like traditional snickerdoodles but made with pumpkin and fall spices.
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies | Homemade brownies swirled with pumpkin cream cheese is a great way to dress up brownies for the holiday.
Pumpkin Mochi | The chewy Japanese confectionery sweet gets a Western twist with the addition of pumpkin. I make a batch every year!
Pies
When it comes to pies, I like to get creative and make things that my guests may not expect. Like making traditional pies in mini form or presenting pies in fun ways. Here are a few of my favorites that you might like to try.
Apple Rose Tarts | These mini tarts made with puff pastry sheets are easy to make and are a great presentation for a holiday dinner.
Apple Pies Baked in Apples | Apple pies in apples is a cute dessert and a fun twist on apple pie. Apple pie filling is baked inside hollowed out apples and topped with pie crust.
Mini Pecan Pies | These mini pecan pies are so cute and easy to make. The pecan pie filling doesn’t have any corn syrup, you don’t have to precook it, and you only need one bowl to make it.
Mini Pumpkin Pies | These are another mini pie recipe that is so cute and easy to make.
Twofer Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie | If you can’t decide between pumpkin pie or cheesecake, this is the dessert to make!
I hope you’ve found some new Thanksgiving dessert recipes to try this year! If you are looking for more ideas for your dinner be sure to check out my Thanksgiving Menu Ideas for even more ideas.
