125 Best Thanksgiving Desserts That Will Make You Grateful for Sweets
Save room for pies, cookies, and cakes.
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You may have had your fill of turkey and mashed potatoes, but don't forget to save some room for the Thanksgiving desserts! A spread of comforting fall treats, cookies, cakes, and Thanksgiving cheesecakes is just the beginning—ahead, you'll find a complete list of dessert recipes for your Thanksgiving menu. Whether you're looking for classic flavors like pumpkin and cranberry, or something completely different, like chocolate Thanksgiving desserts, there's something for every type of sweet tooth.
Of course, you'll want to get your pie crust prepped and ready to make at least one fun variation on traditional Thanksgiving pies. There's a butterscotch pie, cranberry apple crumb pie, and pumpkin slab pie that can feed a crowd. Looking to make your holiday even easier? Many of these desserts are great for making ahead and some don't even require an oven. You'll feel so grateful for a no-bake dessert! For more time-saving Thanksgiving dessert tips, follow Ree Drummond's advice and start your Thanksgiving cooking early in the week—she stores her homemade pumpkin puree in the freezer so it's ready to go on Thanksgiving Day. So you see? There's always time and room for more dessert!
Sweet Potato Cake
This holiday sheet cake is made with seasonal sweet potatoes, marshmallow buttercream frosting, and crunchy toasted pecans on top. It's a good thing it feeds a crowd!
Get the Sweet Potato Cake recipe.
Pecan Tassies
These adorable little bites have all the flavor of a pecan pie. They're great for bringing to a Thanksgiving potluck or Friendsgiving party, too.
Get the Pecan Tassies recipe.
S'mores Pie
Toasted marshmallows, chocolate pudding, and graham cracker crust—what's not to love?! This pie will add something unexpected to your Thanksgiving spread.
Get the S'mores Pie recipe.
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
This comforting cake is packed with the flavors of cinnamon, sugar, and sweet-tart apples, but it's the Southern-inspired caramel frosting that really sets it apart. Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and everyone will be impressed!
Get the Caramel Apple Sheet Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Slab Pie
When you're serving a crowd, a slab pie is the perfect solution. It's made in a jelly roll pan and cut into squares for easy entertaining. Just don't forget the whipped cream topping!
Get the Pumpkin Slab Pie recipe.
Turtle Tart
This decadent tart is packed with the sweet flavors of those classic turtle candies: pecans, caramel, and chocolate. You can make it in advance for an even easier day of Thanksgiving prep.
Get Ree's Turtle Tart recipe.
Butterscotch Pie
This recipe starts off with a flaky pie crust filled with creamy butterscotch pudding, then it takes things over-the-top with a cloud of meringue that's both fluffy and toasted.
Get Ree's Butterscotch Pie recipe.
Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies
Sweet-tart cranberries and bright orange zest give these wholesome oatmeal cookies their holiday spin. Plus, they look so festive with the white chocolate drizzle.
Get Ree's Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies recipe.
Maple Cheesecake
This cheesecake might look simple, but it's packed with the warm flavors of maple syrup. Not to mention, there's a creamy maple sauce that you can drizzle over each slice!
Get Ree's Maple Cheesecake recipe.
Cranberry Apple Crumb Pie
Everything about this pie screams autumn, including the fresh cranberries and apples, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Even the crumbly topping is warm and spiced.
Get Ree's Cranberry Apple Crumb Pie recipe.
Brown Butter Sugar Cookies
These big sugar cookies are just like the kind you might find at a bakery! The key is using flavorful brown butter. Make them for Thanksgiving or all year-round.
Get Ree's Brown Butter Sugar Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
This tender pumpkin cake is topped with a crunchy walnut streusel and cream cheese glaze. You can serve it up for dessert, breakfast, lunch, or anything in between.
Get the Pumpkin Coffee Cake recipe.
Caramel-Chocolate-Pecan Ice Cream Pie
Pie or ice cream—why not both? This no-bake treat is loaded with sweetness thanks to chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce, and chopped pecans.
Get Ree's Caramel-Chocolate-Pecan Ice Cream Pie recipe.
Snickerdoodles
For a quick cookie recipe that's sure to be a hit, you can't go wrong with classic snickerdoodles! They have warm cinnamon flavor and soft, chewy texture you know and love.
Get Ree's Snickerdoodles recipe.
German Chocolate Cake
This dreamy chocolate cake is layered with Swiss buttercream and a coconut pecan filling. It's one of those desserts you'll make again and again!
Get the German Chocolate Cake recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
If your family likes cinnamon rolls, they will love these bited-sized versions. Don't forget a nice thick layer of drizzle to make them even more special!
Get the Cinnamon Roll Cookies recipe.
Butterscotch-Cornflake Apple Crisp
A cornflake topping gives this a crispy crunch to each bite, but the real start of the show is the rich butterscotch sauce. Add an extra decadent drizzle—it's the holidays, after all.
Get Ree's Butterscotch-Cornflake Apple Crisp recipe.
Sweet Potato Pie
Baked with warm spices in a buttery, flaky crust, this sweet potato pie belongs on every holiday dessert table. Dollop with some bourbon whipped cream on top!
Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
Apple Cobbler
Golden biscuits, tender apples, and a caramel-y sauce make this a dream to eat. Bonus: It's a dream to make, because you don't have to peel the apples.
Get the Apple Cobbler recipe.
Marble Cake
Having a hard time choosing between vanilla and chocolate? Make them both in a marble cake and make everyone happy. It can be make several days in advance, too!
Get the Marble Cake recipe.
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