Delicious Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, share a delicious meal, and—of course—enjoy some irresistible desserts. While pumpkin pie and pecan pie are classics, there are plenty of other tasty treats that will bring even more joy to your festive feast. If you're looking for dessert inspiration this holiday season, look no further! Here are five crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving desserts that are sure to make your celebration even sweeter. And the best part? We’ve included the recipes so you can easily whip them up at home!

1. Classic Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving dessert spread would be complete without a classic pumpkin pie. This dessert is rich, creamy, and filled with all the cozy spices of fall. It's the perfect way to end your holiday meal, especially with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Ingredients:

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Whipped cream (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Crimp the edges and refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until well combined.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition.
5. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract.
6. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and smooth the top.
7. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Cool the pie on a wire rack before refrigerating. Chill for at least 2 hours.
9. Serve with whipped cream and enjoy!

2. Pecan Pie

Rich, sweet, and nutty, pecan pie is a staple of the Thanksgiving dessert table. With a gooey, caramel-like filling and crunchy pecans, this pie is bound to impress your guests.

Ingredients:

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust
• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1-2 tbsp bourbon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, salt, and bourbon (if using).
4. Stir in the pecan halves, ensuring they are evenly coated in the syrup mixture.
5. Pour the mixture into the pie crust, spreading the pecans out evenly.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the filling is set, and the crust is golden brown. The center should be slightly jiggly but firm.
7. Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

3. Apple Crisp

If you're looking for something warm and comforting, apple crisp is a fantastic choice. With a cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a buttery, crunchy oat topping, this dessert will remind everyone of the coziest fall afternoons.

Ingredients:

• For the filling:
• 6-8 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• For the topping:
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed and cold

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch (if using). Transfer to a greased 9x9-inch baking dish.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown, and the apples are tender and bubbling.
6. Let cool slightly before serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

4. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

For a twist on the classic pumpkin pie, try these creamy, spiced pumpkin cheesecake bars. They combine the rich flavor of cheesecake with the comforting taste of pumpkin pie and are perfect for serving a crowd.

Ingredients:

• For the crust:
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• For the cheesecake filling:
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. For the crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.
4. For the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Beat until smooth.
5. Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and spread it evenly.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set and only slightly jiggles.
7. Let the bars cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into squares.
8. Serve chilled and enjoy!

5. Salted Caramel Apple Tarts

These elegant, salted caramel apple tarts are the perfect way to impress your guests. With flaky puff pastry, spiced apple slices, and a rich salted caramel drizzle, these tarts are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Ingredients:

• For the crust:
• 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• For the filling:
• 2 large apples, thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• For the caramel sauce:
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into 4 equal rectangles. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and brush with the beaten egg.
3. In a small bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
4. Arrange the apple slices neatly in the center of each puff pastry rectangle, overlapping them slightly.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden, and the apples are tender.
6. While the tarts are baking, make the salted caramel sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and bring to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
7. Once the tarts are done, drizzle with the warm salted caramel sauce.
8. Serve the tarts warm and enjoy!

Thanksgiving desserts are all about celebrating the flavors of the season, from the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg to the richness of pumpkin and caramel. Whether you stick with a classic like pumpkin pie or try something new like salted caramel apple tarts, these five recipes will bring sweetness and joy to your Thanksgiving table. Happy baking and enjoy the festivities!