A huge part of cooking a big Thanksgiving meal is timing. There are only so many minutes in a day and limited ovens and burners on which to cook. It’s a marathon balancing act juggling it all, and by the time dessert comes, you might be tired.
Make things easier on yourself by planning a simple Thanksgiving dessert course. The 10 recipes on this list are guaranteed to create sweet Thanksgiving treats. The best part? Your guests don’t need to know they were easy as pie.
Cranberry Tart
This Thanksgiving treat idea uses one of the best flavors of the season: cranberry. These tart fruits are typically harvested in North America in the fall. They are a great source of fiber and are rich in antioxidants — that means they’re healthy, right? That is what you can tell yourself while getting a second helping of this delicious cranberry tart. Check out this recipe from Taste of Home.
Cake Mix Brownies
This chocolate Thanksgiving dessert uses everyday items that you most likely already have in your pantry. All you need is some instant chocolate pudding mix, cake mix, and chocolate chips to make this easy decadent delight. These brownies will be soft, moist, and fluffy. Taste of Home has a great recipe! Give it a Thanksgiving twist by topping the brownies with some store-bought candied pecans.
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Banana Pudding
This no-bake Thanksgiving treat does not require an oven. Banana pudding is big in the South but it’s time for this dish to make it’s way across the United States. This AllRecipes version was submitted by Kenneth Strother and claims to be the best — the glowing comment section backs this assertion up. Add some fall flair by caramelizing the bananas with pumpkin pie seasoning!
Pumpkin Pecan Frozen Yogurt
Sometimes after a big meal you want dessert to be on the lighter side. This is where a sweet, refreshing, frozen treat comes in. This simple Taste of Home recipe for pumpkin pecan frozen yogurt fits the bill nicely. It uses just five ingredients, so it’s an excellent idea for a no-bake Thanksgiving treat.
Instant Pot Caramel Apple-Pear Clafoutis
This Food Network recipe is for a slightly healthier Thanksgiving dessert. Each serving packs in 3 grams of fiber thanks to the apple and pear. By utilizing an Instant Pot, you’ll cut your cooking time down significantly. Less time in the kitchen means more time to connect with friends and family.
Acorn Candy Cookies
Pies normally get all the glory, but cookies deserve some love, too. These acorn candy cookies are a great Thanksgiving dessert for kids and those young at heart. Plus, there is no baking required — just assembly. You could even have the kiddos do this as a fun activity to keep them occupied before the big meal. This Thanksgiving treat idea would be great for a goodie bag as well.
Butter Cookies
Here is another Thanksgiving cookie recipe for your arsenal. Butter cookies make a great addition to your dessert table because they pair well with coffee and everyone loves them. You might decide to use this simple recipe from Becky Hardin all year long.
Mini Thanksgiving Pies
This list would not be complete without some kind of Thanksgiving pie. It’s can be so hard to decide which one to bake on the big day, since everyone has their favorites. Please the whole gang with this genius recipe from The Baker Mama. She has made it simple to make three different kinds of mini-pies in one pan so the whole family is happy.
Pecan Pie
While this Thanksgiving pie recipe does take a little more effort, it makes up for it because it freezes well. You can make this days ahead of time and simply defrost the day of your gathering. Pecan pie is typically served at room temperate but you can warm it in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes if you prefer.
No-Bake Pumpkin Delight
Thanksgiving is all about pumpkin, so wow your guests with this simple no-bake dessert. With a pretzel crust, pumpkin pudding filling, and whipped topping, this is one of the easiest and best pumpkin desserts out there. Check out the recipe from Crazy for Crust.
