25+ Thanksgiving Desserts

By Elena DavisPublished Oct 29, 2026
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Thanksgiving dinner deserves a sweet ending, and there are so many delicious desserts to choose from beyond the usual pumpkin pie… though pumpkin pie is always welcome at my table!! Whether you’re baking for a big family gathering or bringing something sweet to share, these Thanksgiving Desserts have plenty of ideas for your holiday menu. Think cozy fall flavors, homemade cakes, rich brownies, Italian treats, and classic pies that everyone will want a slice of.

For more ideas on what to serve, make sure to check out my full Thanksgiving Menu!

A slice of pear frangipane tart on a plate with a fork.
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A Little Something Sweet

I always think it’s nice to have a few desserts ready after Thanksgiving dinner because not everyone is in the mood for the same thing. Some people want a slice of apple pie, others go straight for the chocolate, and there’s always room to try a little piece of something new. I put together this collection with a mix of classic favorites and some of my Italian-inspired desserts, so you can find something that fits your family’s table.

For more inspiration, make sure to take a look at my 25 + Autumn Baking Recipes!

Made With Amore,

Table of Contents

Thanksgiving Pies & Tarts

Pie is one of those desserts that people often save room for, even after a big Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re baking your own this year, it’s worth planning ahead so your crust has time to chill and you aren’t scrambling to finish dessert while the rest of the meal is coming together.

Make sure to use my Crisco Pie Crust or Flaky All Butter Pie Crust.

A slice of biscoff banana pudding held over the baking dish.
5 from 1 vote

Banana Pudding

Skip the boxed mix – this from-scratch Biscoff Banana Pudding is silky, rich, no-bake, and layered with real custard, fresh whipped cream, and cookie butter. It’s better than any banana pudding I’ve ever had.
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A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate, topped with whipped cream with pumpkins and the rest of the pie nearby.
5 from 8 votes

Fresh Pumpkin Pie

This Fresh Pumpkin Pie starts with freshly roasted pumpkin purée blended into a creamy custard with brown sugar, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The roasted pumpkin gives the filling a light, delicate texture and real pumpkin flavor, all tucked into a flaky pie crust. The pumpkin purée can be made ahead and frozen for up to 2 months, making this homemade pie easier to prepare for Thanksgiving and other fall gatherings.
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Slice of chocolate pudding pie on a plate with a fork.
5 from 8 votes

Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe

This classic Chocolate Pudding Pie with graham cracker crust is made completely from scratch with a silky, stovetop chocolate filling and topped with fresh whipped cream. It’s rich, creamy, and easy enough for beginners, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for any occasion.
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Pear frangipane tart with nuts as garnish and more ingredients and serving ware nearby.
5 from 1 vote

Pear and Frangipane Tart

Buttery pasta frolla, soft almond frangipane, and tender pears come together in this elegant Italian French-inspired Pear Frangipane Tart. Simple to make, beautiful to serve, and perfect with espresso or whipped cream.
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A slice of apple pie on a plate with a fork and apples nearby.
5 from 7 votes

Fresh Apple Pie

This Fresh Apple Pie Recipe combines crisp Granny Smith apples, warm spices, and nutty brown butter in a flaky all-butter crust. Browning the butter adds a deep, toasted flavor to the apple filling while balancing the sweetness of the pie. It’s a classic apple pie with fresh apples and an extra layer of flavor that makes it stand out.
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Slice of maple pecan pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
5 from 7 votes

Maple Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup

This Maple Pecan Pie (Without Corn Syrup) has a rich maple flavor, buttery pecans, and a gooey filling baked into a flaky pie crust. Pure maple syrup gives this classic pie its signature sweetness and warm flavor, while a little flour helps the filling set without using corn syrup. Ready in about 1 hour, it’s a beautiful dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday table.
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banana cream pie topped with sliced bananas and piped whipped cream.
5 from 12 votes

Banana Cream Pie

This banana cream pie will leave you dreaming for days of its goodness! It’s silky smooth and light while remaining dense and custardy–all due to a secret step with the eggs. This is an easy, tried and true recipe passed down from my husband’s grandmother and loved for generations!
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Pumpkin & Fall Favorites

Fall flavors are a big part of what makes Thanksgiving desserts so good. Cinnamon, pumpkin, apples, and cranberries all feel right at home this time of year, and these flavors pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, dollop of whipped cream, or sprinkle of Candied Pecans.

pumpkin bar squares on a cutting board with cream cheese frosting on top.
5 from 4 votes

Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Ultra-moist Pumpkin Bars with cozy fall spices and a luscious cream cheese frosting are easy to make, impossible to resist. Your new favorite fall treat starts here!
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Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

The buttery, cinnamon-spiced caramel perfectly complements the tartness of the apples, creating a luxurious, gooey layer that soaks into the cake. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert, or serve it with tea or coffee as a special treat for breakfast or brunch.
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Easy baked cinnamon apples in a pie plate with blue rim. Vanilla Ice cream in the middle of apples with serving spoon. Cut apples in the background.
5 from 3 votes

Easy Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe

These Baked Cinnamon Apples are tender apple slices baked in a buttery cinnamon sauce until soft and caramelized. Warm cinnamon and sweet apple juices come together in the oven for a dessert that is delicious served warm. Ready in about 40 minutes, these baked apples are an easy way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie without making a pie.
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Slices of Libby's pumpkin bread on a piece of parchment.
5 from 4 votes

Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Recipe (Tender and Moist)

This classic Libby’s Pumpkin Bread recipe is soft, moist, and full of real pumpkin flavor. Made with warm spices and pantry staples, it’s the perfect quick bread for fall and the holiday season. Makes two loaves—one to keep, one to share!
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5 from 103 votes

Italian Apple Cake Recipe

This Italian Apple Cake (One Bowl) is soft, buttery, and filled with tender apples and a hint of cinnamon. Made in one bowl with creamy yogurt and inspired by my nonna’s kitchen, it’s perfect for a cozy breakfast or an afternoon treat with coffee.
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cranberry orange bread slices on a platter.
5 from 9 votes

Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

This Cranberry Orange Bread is moist, bursting with fresh citrus flavor, and topped with a sweet orange glaze. Fresh cranberries bring a tart contrast to the orange-flavored loaf, making it a lovely choice for breakfast, brunch, or holiday gift-giving.
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Cakes & Cheesecakes

Not every Thanksgiving dessert has to be a pie! A homemade cake or cheesecake gives guests another option, especially if your family likes to set out several desserts and let everyone choose a little of each. Just be sure to leave enough time for cheesecakes to chill before serving.

Want to add a little something extra? Try drizzling Creamy Vanilla Sauce over a slice of cake for an extra-special dessert.

A slice of banana nut cake garnished with banana slices and nuts, with more ingredients nearby.
5 from 1 vote

Banana Nut Cake Recipe

This Banana Nut Cake is incredibly moist, tender, and packed with real banana flavor. It’s an easy, unfussy cake and one of my favorite ways to turn those very brown bananas sitting on the counter into something everyone comes running to eat.
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slice of cake in a plate
5 from 228 votes

Pear Cake Recipe

This easy Italian pear cake is a moist, fluffy cake that is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon tea treat. It's made with just 10 simple ingredients, and is out of the oven in 1 hour. Use up leftover fresh pears in a dessert that will be a hit with your family and friends! 
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5 from 2 votes

Italian Cream Cake

By popular request! After a flood of emails asking for an Italian Cream Cake, I finally decided to make my own version, and I have to say, it’s heavenly. The funny thing is… this cake isn’t actually Italian! It’s a classic Southern American cake full of pecans, coconut, and almond flavor, all wrapped up in a tender, buttery crumb and frosted with rich cream cheese frosting. Moist, nutty, and sweetly nostalic—this cake feels like a hug.
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a slice of ricotta cheesecake topped and plated with berries.
5 from 2 votes

Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe

This light and creamy Italian Ricotta Cheesecake blends ricotta and cream cheese for the perfect silky texture—never dense or overly sweet. Brightened with lemon and a hint of almond, baked gently in a water bath for a crack-free finish. A stunning make-ahead dessert everyone loves.
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slice of cake on a plate with a fork ready to eat.
5 from 17 votes

Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe

This easy, one-bowl orange olive oil cake is one of my favorite cakes to make! This Italian cake requires only a handful of ingredients and has a lovely, fresh orange flavor and moist texture. 
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A slice of cannoli cake on a plate with a fork.
5 from 8 votes

Cannoli Cake Recipe

Here’s a show-stopping Cannoli Cake that layers fluffy white cake with a luscious cannoli cream filling made from mascarpone, ricotta, and whipped cream. Lightly sweet with a hint of citrus and studded with mini chocolate chips—this cake brings the flavor of the classic Italian dessert to your dessert table.
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Slices of carrot cake topped with nuts.
5 from 20 votes

Easy Carrot Cake

This Carrot Sheet Cake (One Bowl) is moist, tender, and topped with a fluffy cream cheese frosting. The cake batter comes together in one bowl with finely grated carrots, warm cinnamon, and a combination of white and brown sugar, then bakes in a 9×13-inch pan for an easy-to-frost carrot cake everyone will love.
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a slice of poppy seed cake on a dish with a fork.
5 from 1 vote

Poppy Seed Cake

This tried-and-true Poppy Seed Cake is incredibly moist and tender, topped with a flavorful orange, almond, and vanilla glaze. It’s a wonderful addition to your brunch or dessert menu, and the entire cake comes together in one bowl!
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Brownies & Chocolate Desserts

Not everyone reaches for the pumpkin pie, and that’s exactly why I like having a chocolate dessert in the mix. Brownies are always popular, and anything with a rich chocolate flavor tends to disappear quickly once the dessert plates come out.

brown butter brownies stacked on a plate ready to eat.
5 from 4 votes

Brown Butter Brownies

These rich, fudgy brown butter brownies are deeply chocolatey with a glossy, crackly top and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Browning the butter adds a nutty depth you won’t find in ordinary brownies. A true chocolate lover’s dessert—easy, luxurious, and unforgettable.
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5 from 3 votes

Chocolate Tiramisu

This luscious Italian Chocolate Tiramisu is a dreamy twist on the classic! Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers are replaced with a rich chocolate dip, then smothered in silky chocolate mascarpone cream. It’s light, creamy, and indulgent—a dessert you’ll want to savor slowly with an espresso in hand.
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Two banana brownies stacked on top of each other on a plate with sliced bananas nearby.
5 from 1 vote

Banana Brownies

A great use for your overripe bananas. Rich, fudgy Banana Brownies made in one bowl with ripe bananas, dark chocolate, and cocoa powder. Easy, ultra-moist, and bakery-style delicious.
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stacked pecan pie brownies.
5 from 4 votes

Pecan Pie Brownies

Gooey, nutty, and chocolatey, these pecan pie brownies combine two classics into one decadent dessert that everyone will beg you to make again. Perfect for Thanksgiving or anytime you crave sweet comfort.
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Freshly Baked Cookies

Cookies are easy to share, fun to arrange on a dessert tray, and especially nice for guests who want just a small sweet after a big meal.

Try topping your cookies with a dollop of Homemade Nutella for an extra chocolatey treat!

Beautiful Italian tray of Italian S cookies with a cup of tea on the side.
5 from 4 votes

Italian S Cookies

These classic Sicilian “S” cookies are buttery, slightly crisp, and delicately sweet just like the ones found in every nonna’s kitchen in Sicily. They’re simple to make, beautifully fragrant with lemon or vanilla, and perfect for dipping in espresso or enjoying with tea.
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Four soft sugar cookies with different styles of decorations on a square plate.
5 from 3 votes

Best Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe With Frosting

These soft sugar cookies are everything you want in a classic cut-out cookie—tender centers, lightly crisp edges, and the perfect base for decorating. Whether it’s for the holidays or a weekend baking session, this no-fail recipe is one you’ll come back to all year long. Just grab your favorite cookie cutters, whip up the frosting, and let the fun begin!
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Italian almond biscotti on a white surface drizzled with chocolate.
4.89 from 9 votes

Italian Almond Biscotti Recipe

Cantucci (or Biscotti di Prato) are crunchy almond cookies from Tuscany, baked twice for that perfect crisp texture. This easy biscotti recipe is great on its own or as a base for your favorite mix-ins—and they’re perfect for dunking into a warm drink.
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5 from 8 votes

Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies

These Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies are an easy treat with a soft, cake-like texture, rich chocolate flavor, and a hint of warm spice. Made in just one bowl, this family recipe is perfect for holidays, gifting, or anytime you want a unique chocolate dessert.
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Banana bread cookies on a plate after baking.
5 from 9 votes

Banana Bread Cookies

These banana bread cookies are soft, buttery, and packed with chocolate. An easy one-bowl recipe with rich banana flavor and bakery-style texture.
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A slice of cannoli cake on a plate with a fork.

Serving Ideas

FAQs

What are the best Thanksgiving desserts to bring to someone else’s house?

Cookies, brownies, pumpkin bars, and loaf cakes are easy to transport and simple to share. If you’re bringing a pie or a frosted cake, check whether your host has room to store it until dessert.

What are some Thanksgiving desserts for a crowd?

Brownies, cookies, bars, and sheet cakes are especially convenient when you’re serving a lot of people because they’re easy to cut into individual portions. Making a few different kinds lets guests try more than one dessert.

What are some fall-flavored desserts for Thanksgiving?

Pumpkin, apple, cranberry, cinnamon, and maple are classic fall flavors. Desserts featuring these ingredients bring seasonal flavor to the table and pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, family, and a little something sweet! Save room for dessert, go back for seconds, and enjoy every bite! Buon appetito!

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About Elena Davis

Ciao, I’m Elena! I was born in Sardegna and learned to cook from my Nonna Laura, who never measured anything. After 13 years of teaching, I traded the classroom for the kitchen, but I never stopped teaching. Now I share the Italian recipes I grew up with, plus the American favorites my family loves, all tested at home and made easy for more than a million home cooks every month. My goal is simple- make mealtime doable and answer “what’s for dinner?” with recipes you'll make forever. No chef skills needed, I promise! Start with a family favorite, Italian Pear Cake. Mangia!

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