No matter how full we are from Thanksgiving dinner, we always seem to find room for dessert. But focusing on how to make the perfect turkey can leave little room for planning this final course. Luckily, our list of Thanksgiving dessert recipes has something for everyone, from mini pecan pies to turkey Oreo balls. Plus, easy assembly gives a busy host one more reason to be thankful.
How to Have Your Cake and Eat It Too: Simple Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Basic ingredients and simple steps make these Thanksgiving dessert recipes easy to prepare, while still being full of fall flavor. Best of all, our no-bake hacks and inventive shortcuts leave plenty of time to enjoy every bite.
Mini Pecan Pies
Mini Thanksgiving dessert recipes always leave room for more but these petite pies may just steal the show. Save time by rolling out two store-bought pie crusts and use a 3-inch cookie cutter to cut 16 rounds. Flip a mini-muffin tin upside down and drape each round over the muffin cup to form the mini pie shells. While they bake, a simple pecan pie filling comes together on the stovetop. Pour the filling into the pie shells and top with a pecan half to complete the perfect mini Thanksgiving desserts.
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Cookie Crust
For diehard fans, cheesecake is always one of the best desserts for Thanksgiving dinner. This recipe adds some traditional pumpkin flavor and extra sweetness from a pecan sandie crust that comes together in the food processor. Meanwhile, pumpkin puree is combined with its classic spices, cream cheese, and sour cream before baking on top of the crust. Topped with whipped cream and cookie crumbs, this creamy dessert is cool, warm, and spicy all at the same time.
Cranberry Cake with Almond Glaze
Thanksgiving dessert recipes are about more than just pumpkin and pecans and this recipe puts cranberry’s autumn flavor on full display. The basic cake base is enhanced with cream cheese for a rich, moist crumb. After pouring half in the base of a Bundt pan, add cranberries that have been simmered with lemon zest and cinnamon. Top with the remaining cake batter and bake before adding a simple glaze of confectioner’s sugar and almond extract.
Caramel Apple Trifles
These non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts have all the flavor of apple pie but are deconstructed into a no-bake, individually-sized treat. Simply combine diced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a saucepan and heat on the stove for 10-15 minutes. While that simmers, flavor fresh whipped cream with a pinch of cinnamon. Layer the whipped cream and apples in alternating layers with granola in glass cups or jars. Drizzle with caramel sauce, and they’ll taste as good as they look.
Turkey Oreo Balls
Though this looks like a kids’ dessert, adults will likely find these chocolate turkeys just as irresistible. Plus, it’s another no-bake solution for a festive holiday treat. Just combine crushed Oreos with softened cream cheese and shape into bite-size balls. After the balls chill in the refrigerator, dip each in melted chocolate. Add candy eyes, candy corn for a tail, and a Reese’s Pieces for a beak. Be careful, you may have to fight a five-year-old for the last one.
Trust us, these really are the best easy Thanksgiving dessert recipes for the perfect holiday with family, friends, and feasting. And if all this holiday baking leaves you in need of an oven repair service, the team at Solar Appliance Service is ready and waiting!
