Grandma’s got her favorites. We’re talking desserts, y’all. And when it comes to Thanksgiving, she expects to see those sweet treats on the holiday buffet. While she’ll always be thrilled to see a homemade pie, she can’t resist some over-the-top desserts that only come out during the holiday season. We’re looking at you, trifles and pretty layer cakes. So this Thanksgiving, we hope you’ll get inspired by some of Grandma’s favorite recipes, from fruity pies to rich and creamy bars to decadent chocolate cakes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Everyone has a favorite pie, and pecan is usually top of the Thanksgiving list. This year, our Test Kitchen gave the classic dessert a decadent spin with rich, creamy, melted chocolate.
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford
Chocolate and citrus come together in this Thanksgiving showstopper, which gives the classic pie a flavorful twist.
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford
An old-fashioned chess pie is always a perfect dessert, but this year we’ve taken it up a notch. This recipe features the all-star combo of caramel, chocolate, pecans. Don’t plan for leftovers.
Molly Bolton
Count on this simple recipe to wow your Thanksgiving crowd. Our Test Kitchen developed this recipe with simple ingredients (a box of spice cake mix, canned pumpkin, and a handful of other pantry ingredients) yet the result is out-of-this-world delicious.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
An old-fashioned dessert gets a decadent upgrade with two types of extra rich chocolate.
Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
There are pies. And then there are the pies that everyone expects to see at every family gathering. Our pumpkin pie is not only simple, but it’s also delicious. This is a great choice for a novice baker who is set on bringing a homemade dessert to Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Dare we say this is the sweetest recipe that you’ll be digging into on Thanksgiving Day. This is the recipe for the baker who is dreaming of showing up to the celebrations with something extra special.
Alison Miksch
For the one who wants to treat the family to something extraordinary that’s not a pie or cake: Enter the bar. These bite-sized desserts are filled with incredible flavors that include pumpkin spice and heath.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Trust us when we say Grandma knows her desserts. This rich, moist, old-fashioned cake will bring her back to memories of holidays past.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Meet the season’s new pumpkin spectacular. For those who love the fall ingredient, you’ll understand why everyone is asking for seconds.
Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey
Almost too impressive to devour, this pound cake is packed with rich pumpkin flavors and made in a Bundt pan with a gorgeous design. You can spice things up with a different glaze or a splash of bourbon or rum in the batter.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Even pumpkin pie naturalists will fall for this recipe that is sweetened with maple syrup for just the right touch of special. Top it with whipped cream or a dollop of cranberry sauce for a festive finish.
Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
It’s Thanksgiving. Break out the chocolate desserts for the family members who aren’t into the pumpkin, pecan, or apple assortment. This moist and chocolaty creation is perfect for rounding out the dessert buffet.
Molly Bolton
This is the roll that everyone remembers—and requests. Perfectly moist chocolate cake is rolled around fluffy whipped cream for a wonderful dessert.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
There are many (many) names for this dessert, which means it’s not only a memorable choice, but it’s also been around for some time. Count on memories of enjoying this layered chocolate delight for years to come.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox
If you’re looking for an easy recipe to make for the holiday, this may not be the one for you. If you’re looking for a regional recipe that will make an impression, this multi-flavored, multi-layered cake is the one that will steal the spotlight.
Hannah Zimmerman
Is it your turn to bring dessert, but you’re bored of pie? Cut to the cake. Apple cake, that is. This recipe is a delightful combination of apples, cinnamon, and nuts, and slathered with fluffy cream cheese frosting.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Think Applesauce Cake sounds too simple for a holiday fete? Think again. It may be easy to whip together, but this rich, fluffy, and flavorful cake will be unforgettable.
Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Make room on the table because there’s a new dessert in town. Let the season’s ripe pears shine in this cake that is spiced with cinnamon and cardamom for a warm and comforting combination.
Molly Bolton
Introducing the result of pecan pie and chocolate brownies coming together in one out-of-this-world dessert. Consider yourself warned: They’re made by baking a sheet of thick brownies and then adding a layer of pecan pie filling spiked with a touch of bourbon. How’s that for indulgent?
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Pecan. Pumpkin. Apple. Make room on the table for something that delights the chocolate lovers at the holiday table. This dessert was inspired by the classic MoonPie, and is sure to wow with its rich chocolate filling and the light and cloudy marshmallowy meringue topping.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It would not be a Southern holiday (or any special gathering) without the Hummingbird Cake. No matter the occasion or the season, this classic cake will dazzle with its moist layers flavored with canned pineapple and bananas.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This pie is made the traditional way with no special toppings or fancy add-ins. It’s the way Grandma likes—full of tart apples, layered into a homemade pie crust, and finished with a lattice topping.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
There’s nothing fancy about this dessert—it starts with a can of crescent roll dough. But it’s easy and delicious, and it won’t stay on the dessert buffet for long.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This recipe comes from Margaret Bragg, the mother of Southern storyteller Rick Bragg. It’s similar to Transparent Pie and chess pie, and the secret is its blend of buttermilk and whole milk.