Thanksgiving Desserts: 20 Crowd Favorites for the Table That Are Not Pie

Thanksgiving desserts do not have to mean another pumpkin pie. Searches for Thanksgiving desserts on Google went from almost nothing to an all time high for the season in just three weeks, and the fastest growing searches are for make ahead, no bake and fun ideas. So this list is for the cook who wants something different. You will find pumpkin roll, crunch cake, cheesecake bars, pecan bars, trifle, tiramisu and more, with a short shopping list and easy steps on every slide. Most of them can be made a day or two before, and almost all of them feed a crowd. Save room..

Thanksgiving Desserts Start With a Pumpkin Roll

Pie gets all the attention, but these are the desserts people go back for seconds of. The pumpkin roll leads the way: a thin, soft pumpkin cake rolled around sweet cream cheese filling, so every slice shows a pretty swirl. Granny Kat’s Pumpkin Roll on Allrecipes has more than 1,400 ratings. It freezes well, so you can make it this weekend..

You will need: 3 eggs, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp cinnamon, powdered sugar. Filling: 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 6 tbsp butter, 1 tsp vanilla

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F and line a 10×15 pan with parchment. 2. Beat eggs and sugar, then add pumpkin and the dry ingredients. 3. Bake 13 to 15 minutes. 4. Turn onto a towel dusted with powdered sugar and roll up warm, then cool. 5. Unroll, spread with the beaten filling, roll again and chill before slicing.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake, the Dump Cake of Thanksgiving Desserts

Pumpkin crunch cake is pumpkin pie filling baked under a layer of dry cake mix, butter and pecans, then flipped or served straight from the pan. It is one of the easiest Thanksgiving desserts you can make, and the Allrecipes version has more than 400 ratings. The top turns into a crisp, buttery crumble. Serve it cold with whipped cream.

You will need: 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree, 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup melted butter

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 pan. 2. Whisk pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs and cinnamon and pour into the pan. 3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top. 4. Scatter pecans and drizzle with melted butter. 5. Bake 50 to 60 minutes and chill before serving.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Easy Thanksgiving Desserts With a Graham Crust

All the creamy pumpkin cheesecake flavor, baked in a pan and cut into neat squares. Bars are easier to make than a round cheesecake, they travel well and you do not need a springform pan. Make them a day ahead so they set firm. Would you top yours with A: whipped cream, B: caramel, or C: nothing at all?

You will need: Crust: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup sugar. Filling: 16 oz cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

How to make it: 1. Press the crust mix into a lined 9×13 pan and bake at 325 F for 8 minutes. 2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. 3. Beat in pumpkin, eggs, vanilla and spice. 4. Pour over the crust and bake 35 to 40 minutes. 5. Cool, then chill at least 4 hours before cutting.

Pecan Pie Bars, All the Flavor Without the Crust Stress

If rolling pie dough makes you nervous, pecan pie bars are your answer. A simple pressed shortbread base holds a gooey brown sugar and pecan layer, baked in one pan and cut into squares. They are one of the most popular Thanksgiving desserts for potlucks because they are easy to carry. Do you like them warm or cold?

You will need: Base: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup cold butter. Filling: 3 eggs, 3/4 cup corn syrup, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups chopped pecans

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9×13 pan. 2. Pulse the base ingredients to crumbs, press in and bake 18 minutes. 3. Whisk eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla. 4. Stir in pecans and pour over the hot base. 5. Bake 25 minutes, cool fully and cut.

Apple Cider Donut Cake Rolled in Cinnamon Sugar

This cake tastes just like the apple cider donuts from a fall orchard. Boiled down apple cider gives it a strong apple flavor, and the warm bundt cake gets brushed with butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. It makes the whole house smell like autumn, and it is one of the coziest Thanksgiving desserts for coffee lovers. Have you been apple picking this year?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups apple cider (reduced to 3/4 cup), 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 cup soft butter, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream. Coating: 4 tbsp melted butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Simmer the cider until reduced to 3/4 cup and cool. 2. Beat butter and sugar, then eggs. 3. Add flour mix in turns with cider and sour cream. 4. Bake in a greased bundt pan at 350 F for 40 to 45 minutes. 5. Brush the warm cake with butter and pat on cinnamon sugar.

Sweet Potato Cheesecake for the Southern Table

Sweet potato pie lovers, meet your new favorite. Roasted sweet potato makes this cheesecake smooth, rich and lightly spiced, with a gingersnap crust that adds a little snap. It needs to chill overnight, which makes it perfect for baking ahead. It is one of those Thanksgiving desserts that gets people asking for the recipe, especially from the sweet potato pie fans.

You will need: Crust: 1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs, 5 tbsp melted butter. Filling: 24 oz cream cheese, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups mashed roasted sweet potato, 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg

How to make it: 1. Press the crust into a 9 inch springform pan and bake at 325 F for 10 minutes. 2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. 3. Beat in sweet potato, eggs, vanilla and spices. 4. Bake 60 to 70 minutes, until just set in the middle. 5. Cool in the oven with the door cracked, then chill overnight.

Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake, Bright Thanksgiving Desserts With a Simple Glaze

Bright, tart cranberries and fresh orange zest make this bundt cake a nice break from heavy pumpkin and pecan. It looks beautiful on a cake stand with the red berries peeking through, and a quick orange glaze drips down the sides. Bake it a day early and wrap it well, it only gets more moist.

You will need: 3 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup soft butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 1 tbsp orange zest, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 cups fresh cranberries. Glaze: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp orange juice

How to make it: 1. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and zest. 2. Add flour mix in turns with juice and sour cream. 3. Fold in the cranberries tossed in a little flour. 4. Bake in a greased bundt pan at 350 F for 55 to 60 minutes. 5. Cool and drizzle with glaze.

Maple Pumpkin Bread Pudding From Day Old Bread

Bread pudding is an old fashioned dessert that turns leftover bread into something special. Cubes of brioche or challah soak in a pumpkin and maple custard, then bake until puffed and golden on top. Serve it warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Is bread pudding a dessert your grandma made?

You will need: 8 cups cubed day old brioche or challah, 2 cups milk, 1 cup cream, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 4 eggs, 2/3 cup maple syrup, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp vanilla

How to make it: 1. Spread the bread in a buttered 9×13 dish. 2. Whisk all the other ingredients together. 3. Pour over the bread and press down. 4. Let soak 20 minutes, or overnight in the fridge. 5. Bake at 350 F for 45 to 50 minutes, until set.

Gingerbread Trifle, the Showstopper of Thanksgiving Desserts

A trifle looks like you worked all day, but it is just layers in a glass bowl. Cubes of gingerbread cake, vanilla pudding or whipped cream, and a sprinkle of crushed gingersnaps stack up into a tall dessert that wows the table. It must chill for at least 4 hours, so it is perfect to make the night before. Have you ever made a trifle?

You will need: 1 gingerbread cake (9×13, baked and cubed), 2 boxes (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding, 4 cups cold milk, 2 cups heavy cream whipped with 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup crushed gingersnaps, a pinch of cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Whisk the pudding with the milk and chill 5 minutes. 2. Fold half the whipped cream into the pudding. 3. Layer cake, pudding and cookie crumbs in a glass bowl. 4. Repeat the layers and finish with the rest of the cream. 5. Chill at least 4 hours and dust with cinnamon.

Caramel Apple Crisp in a 9×13 Pan

Apple crisp feeds a crowd, takes 15 minutes to put together, and nobody has to roll a crust. This one gets a drizzle of caramel over the apples before the oat topping goes on, so the bottom turns sweet and gooey. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream melting on top. Crisp or cobbler: which does your family love more?

You will need: 8 to 10 apples peeled and sliced, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup caramel sauce. Topping: 1 cup oats, 1 cup flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 cup cold butter

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F. 2. Toss apples with sugar, lemon and cinnamon and spread in a 9×13 dish. 3. Drizzle with caramel sauce. 4. Rub the topping ingredients into big crumbs and scatter over. 5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until bubbling and golden.

No Bake Pumpkin Tiramisu

This pumpkin twist on tiramisu needs no oven at all, which is a gift when the turkey is in it all day. Ladyfingers are dipped in coffee and layered with a fluffy pumpkin and mascarpone cream. It sets in the fridge overnight, so it is one of the smartest make ahead Thanksgiving desserts you can choose. Would you try a pumpkin version?

You will need: 24 ladyfingers, 1 1/2 cups cooled strong coffee, 8 oz mascarpone, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, cinnamon for dusting

How to make it: 1. Whip the cream to soft peaks. 2. Beat mascarpone, pumpkin, sugar and spice until smooth, then fold in the cream. 3. Dip ladyfingers quickly in coffee and lay half in a dish. 4. Spread with half the cream, then repeat. 5. Chill overnight and dust with cinnamon.

Chocolate Pecan Brownies for the Chocolate Lovers

Not everyone at the table loves pumpkin, and these fudgy brownies are for them. A thick layer of toasted pecans on top gives them a pecan pie feel without the pie. Cut them small, because they are rich. Every list of Thanksgiving desserts needs one chocolate pick. Who at your table always skips the pumpkin and goes for the chocolate?

You will need: 1 cup melted butter, 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 cup flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9×13 pan. 2. Whisk butter and sugar, then eggs and vanilla. 3. Stir in cocoa, flour and salt, then chocolate chips. 4. Spread in the pan and press pecans on top. 5. Bake 28 to 32 minutes and cool before cutting.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies With Cream Cheese Filling

Soft pumpkin spice cookies sandwiched around a thick cream cheese filling: kids and grown ups both go crazy for these. They are easy to grab from a platter, so they are great for big family gatherings. Keep them in the fridge until about an hour before dessert. How many would you eat: A: one, B: two, or C: nobody counts on Thanksgiving?

You will need: 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup oil, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Filling: 4 oz cream cheese, 4 tbsp butter, 2 cups powdered sugar

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F. 2. Whisk pumpkin, sugar, oil, egg and vanilla, then stir in the dry ingredients. 3. Drop 24 spoonfuls on lined pans and bake 10 to 12 minutes. 4. Beat the filling ingredients until fluffy. 5. Sandwich the cooled cookies with filling.

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups, Thanksgiving Desserts Kids Can Make

These little cups are made in 15 minutes and look adorable on a dessert table. A spoon of graham crumbs goes in the bottom, then a fluffy no bake pumpkin cheesecake filling, then whipped cream on top. They are some of the easiest Thanksgiving desserts for kids to help make. Do you like individual desserts or one big dish? If you want one more cake on the table, try our carrot cake recipes.

You will need: 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp melted butter, 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 cup heavy cream whipped, extra whipped cream for topping

How to make it: 1. Mix crumbs and butter and spoon into 8 small cups. 2. Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and spice until smooth. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Pipe or spoon the filling over the crumbs. 5. Chill 2 hours and top with whipped cream.

Spiced Pear Upside Down Cake

Upside down cake is not just for pineapple. Thin slices of ripe pear are laid in brown sugar and butter, then covered with a spiced cake batter. When you flip it out, the top is glossy and caramel colored. It is pretty, a little old fashioned and one of the most elegant Thanksgiving desserts to serve with coffee after the big meal.

You will need: 3 ripe pears sliced, 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cake: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and brown sugar in a 9 inch cake pan and lay the pear slices on top. 2. Beat butter and sugar, then eggs. 3. Add dry ingredients in turns with milk. 4. Spread the batter over the pears and bake at 350 F for 40 minutes. 5. Cool 10 minutes, then flip onto a plate.

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Grandma knew that a whole apple wrapped in pastry and baked in a sweet cinnamon syrup is one of the coziest desserts there is. Each guest gets their own little bundle, and the syrup turns thick and buttery in the oven. Serve them warm in a bowl with cream poured over. Did your family make apple dumplings for the holidays?

You will need: 6 small apples peeled and cored, pastry for a double crust, 1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon, 3 tbsp butter. Syrup: 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 tsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Cut the pastry into 6 squares and set an apple on each. 3. Fill the centers with cinnamon sugar and a dab of butter. 4. Wrap the pastry up and set in a baking dish. 5. Boil the syrup ingredients, pour around the dumplings and bake 45 minutes, spooning syrup over twice.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodles get a fall makeover with a little pumpkin and spice in the dough, then a roll in cinnamon sugar. They stay soft in the middle for days, which makes them great to bake early in the week. Put out a plate for the kids while the grown ups linger over coffee. How many cookies are on your Thanksgiving dessert table?

You will need: 1/2 cup soft butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 tsp cream of tartar, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Coating: 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Beat butter and sugar, then pumpkin, yolk and vanilla. 2. Stir in the dry ingredients and chill 30 minutes. 3. Roll into balls and coat in cinnamon sugar. 4. Bake on lined pans at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes. 5. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes.

Maple Pecan Blondies, One Bowl Thanksgiving Desserts

Blondies are the butterscotch cousin of brownies, and maple syrup takes them straight to fall. Toasted pecans add crunch, and a quick maple glaze on top makes them look bakery fancy. Everything mixes in one bowl, so cleanup is fast on a day full of dishes. Are you on team brownie or team blondie?

You will need: 3/4 cup melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup toasted pecans. Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tbsp maple syrup

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9×13 pan. 2. Whisk butter, sugar, maple syrup, eggs and vanilla. 3. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and pecans. 4. Spread in the pan and bake 25 to 28 minutes. 5. Cool and drizzle with maple glaze.

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes With Cinnamon Frosting

Cupcakes are an easy way to serve a crowd with no slicing. These pumpkin spice cupcakes are tender and moist, topped with a swirl of cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Add a tiny candy pumpkin or a sprinkle of chopped pecans on top. They are cheerful Thanksgiving desserts for the kids table, and the grown ups always sneak one too.

You will need: 1 3/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup oil, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla. Frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Whisk the wet ingredients, then stir in the dry ones. 3. Fill the liners 2/3 full. 4. Bake 18 to 20 minutes and cool. 5. Beat the frosting ingredients and pipe on top.

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts: Your Monday to Wednesday Plan

The secret to a calm Thanksgiving is doing dessert early. Monday: bake cheesecakes, bars and blondies, which taste even better after a day or two in the fridge. Tuesday: bake bundt cakes and wrap them tightly, and make cookie dough. Wednesday: assemble the trifle and tiramisu, and bake cookies. Thursday morning, you just slice and serve. Thanksgiving is November 26. Which dessert are you making first?

You will need: A calendar, plastic wrap, airtight containers, fridge space, labels

How to make it: 1. Monday: bake cheesecakes, cheesecake bars, pecan bars and blondies. 2. Tuesday: bake bundt cakes, wrap tightly and keep at room temperature. 3. Wednesday: build the trifle and tiramisu and chill. 4. Wednesday night: bake cookies and whoopie pies. 5. Thursday: whip fresh cream and slice everything just before serving.