14 Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas to Stuff Your Recipe Box (2024)

On Thanksgiving, you really can't have too much delicious food…especially dessert! In celebration of America's number one food holiday, break out of the norm and bake up some of these Thanksgiving-themed desserts.

The key to a delicious Thanksgiving is most certainly the tur-key! Transform the most famous Thanksgiving menu item into dessert with these turkey rice krispy treats. Using a traditional rice krispy treat recipe, candy corn, a chocolate wafer, and a few other ingredients, you'll have an adorable and yummy dessert that's easy to make and even easier to eat.

If you're usually stuffed by dessert, these are the dessert pies for you! Smaller than the tiniest sliver of pumpkin pie, these minis are made in muffin tins, so you can still enjoy a sweet flavor without giving yourself a stomach ache.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Acorns

Hershey's Kisses aren't just for Christmas cookies. These peanut butter acorns are a Thanksgiving-friendly dessert item that are bite sized and creative. Using a peanut butter cookie, mini chocolate chip, melted chocolate (as glue), and Hershey's Kiss, you can make sweet little acorns to put in a glass bowl or give out as Thanksgiving party favors.

Caramel Apple Trifle

Instead of having a bunch of pies to cut up, why not try these individual caramel apple trifle cups? They're really easy to make ahead of time and can be assembled right before dessert. You can even have everyone make their own for a twist on a typical Thanksgiving dessert routine.

Crisp-y Leaves

The leaves are probably crunching under your feet outdoors and they can be between your teeth too with these leaf rice krispy treats. Using some food coloring, Rice Krispies, and cookie cutters, you can make an original treat. Wrap them up and let your guests take them home, use them as table settings, or just set out a platter next to the pumpkin pie.

Scarecrow Cookies

We've covered leaves, turkeys, and pumpkin and apple flavored treats, but it wouldn't be right to leave out the scarecrows fall is known for. These are an exceptionally cute cookie and tasty too! Follow the directions online and give your guests something to smile about when dessert time rolls around.

Peekaboo Pumpkin Cake

Before this loaf is sliced and diced, it may look like a typical pound cake. But once you cut it open, you and your guests will be surprised by the delightful pumpkin design inside! This isn't a magic trick. It's actually fairly simple to do. So give it a try if you like a Thanksgiving surprise.

Turkey Cupcakes

These turkey cupcakes are a blast to make. Use whatever cupcake recipe you love most, make chocolate frosting, and then use a Nutter Butter cookie, candy corn, and some extra accouterments to transform regular treats into adorable turkeys. Get your kids to help if you're busy making a ton of other Thanksgiving food. It will keep them busy (and full) for a couple hours!

Mini Caramel Apple Bites

Sometimes all you need is a hint of something sweet after a big meal to top it all off and satisfy every craving. That's why we love these mini caramel apple bites. By using a melon baller, granny smith apples, and some caramel, you'll essentially have shrunken down caramel apple lollipops for all of your guests to enjoy.

14 Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas to Stuff Your Recipe Box (7)

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Pump-cakes

For the truly strapped-for-time Thanksgiving host, these pumpkin cupcakes are an easy way to present a fun dessert without having to spend too much time in the kitchen. Make cupcakes (from the box is always quick!) and then top them off with a candy corn pumpkin. They're cute, tasty, and will be a hit on the dessert table this Thanksgiving.

Cone-ucorpias

Not all desserts have to be loaded with calories. These cone-ucopias are the perfect solution to introduce something lighter to your menu. Just pick up some ice cream cones and load them up with fruit. Set them on their sides and they'll look like overflowing cornucopias! You can even try a savory version.

Mayflower Treats

One of the first ships to found the new world, the Mayflower, is a quintessential part of Thanksgiving. Teach your kids a lesson in the history of America by making some of these Mayflower treats and letting them set sail on the taste buds of Thanksgiving guests.

Pilgrim Hats

America wouldn't be what it is today without the brave accomplishments of the pilgrims! Celebrate a part of American history by creating these edible pilgrim hats. With simple ingredients like a chocolate coated cookie, mini Reese's Cups, and some orange icing, you'll have a tasty and thematic sweet in no time.

Turkey Fondue

Melt a big pot of chocolate and set this turkey-shaped fruit platter out beside it. Your guests can dunk their favorite fruits as they please and enjoy the cute thought you put into dessert. The best part about fondue is that it accommodates a ton of different ingredients. Choose the ones you love most like pound cake cubes, pineapple, or Oreos!

14 Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas to Stuff Your Recipe Box (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular dessert at Thanksgiving? ›

In general, pie reigns supreme as a Thanksgiving dessert. While some families have their nice selections of pie servings, tradition says apple, pumpkin pie, and a southern pecan pie are the go-tos, typically made with a buttery pastry pie crust.

What is one of the most difficult desserts to make? ›

Desserts like chocolate soufflé are known to be challenging. Your chances of baking the ideal chocolate soufflé will increase if you carefully whisk and fold the meringue and wait patiently until the buzzer sounds before opening the oven. Meringues are sensitive to humidity, temperature, and movement.

What is the best dessert to be served after having a heavy meal? ›

Finish your evening in style with a decadent chocolate tart, fruity trifle, cheesecake or ice cream dessert.

What is the #1 dessert in the world? ›

1) Cream Brulee (FRANCE) -

What desserts to avoid? ›

Specific desserts you'll likely want to avoid include cream-based treats, piecrusts, icings, and desserts with chocolate, alcohol, and mint, says Gillian Culbertson, RD, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic's Center for Human Nutrition. “Think no cheesecake, chocolate cake, mint ice cream, and so on,” she says.

What are the 4 major types of desserts? ›

While there are thousands of different dessert recipes, you can generally classify desserts in 7 basic types of desserts:
  • Baked desserts.
  • Frozen desserts.
  • Dessert drinks.
  • Cold desserts.
  • Fried desserts.
  • Puddings and custards.
  • Cobblers.
Dec 31, 2023

What is a good dessert to bring to someone's house? ›

43 Potluck Desserts That Travel Well and Feed a Crowd
  • 02 of 43. Big-Batch Triple-Chocolate Brownie Bars. ...
  • 05 of 43. Coconut-Pecan Tart. ...
  • 08 of 43. Orange-Cardamom Bundt Cake. ...
  • 11 of 43. Lemon-Glazed Sheet Cake. ...
  • 14 of 43. S'mores Bars. ...
  • 17 of 43. Fudgy Turtle Brownies. ...
  • 20 of 43. Buckwheat Chocolate-Chip Cookies With Sea Salt. ...
  • 23 of 43.
Mar 29, 2024

Can you give me a list of desserts? ›

  • Tiramisu recipe (with video)
  • Chocolate mousse in minutes recipe.
  • Angel food cake.
  • 'Not so fried' ice-cream.
  • Roasted strawberry crumble.
  • Apple and butterscotch pie.
  • Almond and date cake.
  • Apple cinnamon custard cake.

What dessert do people eat on Thanksgiving? ›

Tarts and Thanksgiving pies may be the tradition that overtakes the dessert table this holiday, but don't forget to make room for cakes, puddings, and ice cream sandwiches for a well-rounded spread.

What do Americans eat for dessert on Thanksgiving? ›

And more specifically, a slice of Thanksgiving pie. It's almost as traditional as the turkey itself. But which type of pie does your family serve? Whether it's apple pie, pumpkin pie, or sweet potato pie—every family has their own tradition.

What desert do people eat in Thanksgiving? ›

This list of Thanksgiving desserts also includes cookies, brownies, Thanksgiving cheesecakes, and Ree Drummond's favorite recipe for pecan pie. And speaking of Thanksgiving pies, the list ahead has tons of ideas for chocolate chess pie, caramel apple pie, sweet potato pie, and so much more.

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