There are so many things to love about Thanksgiving—it’s a time to prepare delicious dishes, spend quality time with loved ones, and indulge in a cocktail or two. And while some pride themselves on cooking the perfect turkey or baking the best sweet potato casserole, everyone knows that the highlight of the meal is the final act, when dessert is served.
It wouldn’t be a holiday gathering unless there was an abundance of food, but let’s be honest, there’s really no such thing as too many sweet treats. If you need some inspiration for dessert for Thanksgiving ideas, we have you covered (in fact, we almost have too many options to choose from.) From decadent pumpkin cheesecakes and irresistible autumn-inspired pies, to a delicious apple pie skillet cake, there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Sheet Pan Apple Crisp
Caitlin Bensel
We’ve all made easy weeknight sheet pan meals, but baking an apple crisp on a sheet pan? Genius! Sweet and tart apples topped with a buttery; crumbly topping is truly what dreams are made of. And it’s the perfect dessert to feed a crowd.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
Who doesn’t like a no-bake dessert, especially when the oven is preoccupied with a turkey and side dishes? White chocolate is the secret ingredient in this recipe since it adds a smooth, vanilla flavor and helps to harden the filling once cooled.
Apple Pie Skillet Cake
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS
If you haven’t yet made a skillet cake—well, what are waiting for? All you have to do is get your apple pie mixture together, pop it in the oven, and serve it once it cools down. Just make sure to add a generous scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream.
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Greg DuPree
If baking a cheesecake feels too overwhelming, these pumpkin and cream cheese bars are a great alternative. They’re rich and decadent, and make 24 servings, so it’s the perfect dessert recipe for a large gathering.
Mini Pumpkin Pies With Speculoos Crust and Whipped Cream
Jennifer Causey
These perfectly portioned mini pumpkin pies make the cutest single-serve Thanksgiving dessert. The press-in Speculoos cookie crust couldn’t be easier to make, and adds even more cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg spiced flavor to the dish.
Apple Fritter Cake
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Emily Hall
This cake has the same delicious taste as traditional apple fritters, but without the frying. Plus, the sweet, tangy glaze is the perfect way to top it off.
Maple Pumpkin Pie
David Prince
Who knew you could whip up the perfect holiday pie in just 10 minutes? Thanks to store-bought pie crust and a simple maple pumpkin filling, this is truly a stress-free dessert.
Orange and Clove Basque Cheesecake
Jennifer Causey
Now this is a cheesecake to write home about. The combination of zesty orange and spiced clove will fill your kitchen with the most irresistible scent, it might be difficult to not dig in the moment it comes out of the oven.
Apple Spice Donut Pudding
Fred Hardy
This dessert has all the warm flavors you desire on Thanksgiving Day. Soft glazed donuts, tender apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg create a deeply rich and indulgent pudding. With a dollop of vanilla or caramel ice cream on top, this melt-in-your-mouth twist on bread pudding will please your crowd.
Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake
Here’s a cheesecake that has it all: a smooth and creamy pumpkin filling with a buttery and crunchy crust. If you’re hosting the holiday, you can start prepping ahead of time by making this cheesecake two days in advance.
Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting
JOHN KERNICK
Cupcakes make for a great single-serve dessert for both kids and adults. And if you’re not a big baker, this foolproof recipe is perfect since it calls for boxed cake mix and just a few additional ingredients.