27 Tried and Tested Dessert Ideas For Thanksgiving
There’s a reason these desserts keep showing up on Thanksgiving tables—they’re easy, crowd-tested, and just plain irresistible. Whether you’re going for a no-bake pumpkin pie, gooey caramel apple cheesecake, or chewy molasses cookies that taste like Grandma’s kitchen, this list has your sweet tooth covered. From cozy classics to shortcut wonders, these are the treats everyone secretly saves room for. Trust us: the pie table will thank you.
No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie

This creamy, no-bake pumpkin pie is quick to prepare and perfect for fall gatherings, made with pudding, Cool Whip, and a graham cracker crust.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup

Skip the corn syrup with this easy, rich, and nutty pecan pie recipe—classic flavor with a simpler twist.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup
Crock Pot Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix

Juicy peaches and warm cinnamon are topped with golden cake mix in this stress-free slow cooker dessert—perfect for potlucks and family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix
Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

This creamy pumpkin pie skips the rolled dough and bakes in a buttery graham cracker crust—now a new family tradition.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Pumpkin Spice Cake from Cake Mix

This moist pumpkin spice cake starts with a boxed mix and finishes with cream cheese frosting for a cozy, crowd-friendly dessert.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cake from Cake Mix
Banana Pudding Brownies

These layered brownies combine banana bread, pudding, and vanilla wafers for a fun, handheld twist on classic banana pudding.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Brownies
Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake with Tofutti

This dairy-free pumpkin cheesecake has a rich filling, spiced flavor, and sweet crust—perfect for holiday celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake with Tofutti
Southern Pecan Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust

These Southern-style pecan bars feature a rich brown sugar-pecan topping over a buttery shortbread base, finished with a touch of flake sea salt. Perfect for make-ahead treats or gifting, they’re easy to bake, slice, and share.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pecan Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust
Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Real pumpkin and warm spices make these soft, cinnamon-sugar-coated cookies an irresistible fall favorite.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Pecans

This pumpkin dump cake features spiced pumpkin, cake mix, and crunchy pecans for an easy, decadent fall dessert.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Pecans
Warm Apple Compote with Cinnamon

This stovetop apple compote is full of cinnamon-spiced flavor and perfect as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Warm Apple Compote with Cinnamon
Easy Peach Cobbler with Premade Crust

This shortcut peach cobbler uses premade pie crust for a classic, warm dessert that’s simple enough for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Easy Peach Cobbler with Premade Crust
Warm Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

Apples and cinnamon come together under a golden cake mix topping in this easy, cozy fall dessert.
Get the Recipe: Warm Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix
Soft Pumpkin Cookies

These simple pumpkin cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich fall spice—perfect for a cozy treat.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pumpkin Cookies
No-Bake Millionaire Pie

A tropical, creamy no-bake pie made with Cool Whip, crushed pineapple, and a graham cracker crust—perfect for make-ahead desserts.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Millionaire Pie
Cake Mix Carrot Cake Cookies

Warm spices and cream cheese frosting make these cake mix cookies taste like bite-sized carrot cakes—perfect for easy baking.
Get the Recipe: Cake Mix Carrot Cake Cookies
Chewy Blackstrap Molasses Cookies

These old-fashioned molasses cookies are soft, spiced, and rich in flavor—ideal for the holidays or anytime you crave nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Blackstrap Molasses Cookies
Moist Chocolate Cake Brownies

These easy, cake-like brownies are full of deep chocolate flavor and always come out moist and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Moist Chocolate Cake Brownies
Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cinnamon Frosting

Layered pumpkin cake with creamy cinnamon frosting makes a festive dessert for fall gatherings or Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cinnamon Frosting
Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk

This classic Southern pie is smooth, spiced, and made extra rich with sweetened condensed milk—perfect for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk
Fudgy Pecan Brownies

Rich, gooey chocolate meets crunchy pecans in these decadent homemade brownies—ideal for holidays or cozy nights in.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Brownies
Classic Apple Pie with Homemade Crust

This old-fashioned apple pie features a flaky crust and perfectly spiced apple filling—a timeless dessert favorite.
Get the Recipe: Classic Apple Pie with Homemade Crust
Creamy Cinnamon Pie

This creamy cinnamon pie has a velvety filling in a flaky crust, delivering comforting fall flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cinnamon Pie
Easy Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Frosting

This soft pumpkin cake topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting captures all the warm flavors of fall in one easy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Frosting
Classic Buttermilk Pie

Tart lemon zest and rich buttermilk come together in this old-school pie that’s sweet, creamy, and crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Classic Buttermilk Pie
Easy Pumpkin Bread Pudding

This cozy pumpkin bread pudding is quick to make with just a few ingredients and works as both dessert or breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Caramel Apple Cheesecake

A creamy caramel cheesecake sits atop a cinnamon blondie crust and is topped with apples and caramel for the ultimate fall dessert.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Loved these recipes? TAP TO FOLLOW Intentional Hospitality for daily recipes and easy hosting ideas.