The best examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes you’ll actually make

3 real-world examples of Thanksgiving desserts everyone loves

When people ask for examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes usually cover most guests: something pumpkin, something apple, and something nutty or chocolatey. These are the flavors that show up year after year in home kitchens, bakeries, and restaurant menus.

Here are three of the best examples, plus ideas to riff on them:

• Pumpkin cheesecake bars with gingersnap crust
• Skillet apple crisp with oat-pecan topping
• Maple bourbon pecan pie (with an easy no-bourbon option)

Each recipe is written for a busy Thanksgiving cook: make-ahead friendly, easy to transport, and flexible enough to handle dietary tweaks.

Example of a Thanksgiving dessert #1: Pumpkin cheesecake bars with gingersnap crust

If you want examples of Thanksgiving desserts that disappear fast, pumpkin cheesecake bars are at the top of the list. They give you all the cozy flavor of pumpkin pie with the creamy texture of cheesecake, but they’re baked in a pan and sliced into neat squares. No worrying about cracked tops or soggy crusts.

Why these bars work for a crowd

• They slice easily into small squares, perfect for a dessert table with lots of options.
• They can be made 1–2 days in advance and actually taste better after chilling.
• They feel a little more modern than a standard pumpkin pie, which lines up with recent 2024 dessert trends toward bar desserts, sheet pan bakes, and easy-to-share treats.

Ingredients

For the crust

• 2 cups (about 8–9 ounces) finely crushed gingersnap cookies
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the pumpkin cheesecake layer

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prep the pan and crust
   Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides so you can lift the bars out later. Stir the gingersnap crumbs, sugar, and melted butter together until the mixture looks like wet sand. Press firmly into an even layer in the pan. Bake at 350°F for about 8 minutes, just until fragrant. Let cool slightly.

2. Make the filling
   Beat the cream cheese and brown sugar together until very smooth and fluffy, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, spices, and salt. Mix on low until just combined. Overmixing can add air and increase cracking.

3. Bake
   Pour the filling over the warm crust and smooth the top. Bake at 325°F for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center still has a slight wobble. It will firm up as it cools.

4. Chill and slice
   Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab out of the pan and cut into bars.

Easy variations and swaps

These bars are one of the best examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes because you can adapt them to different needs:

• Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free gingersnaps or a gluten-free graham cracker substitute.
• Lighter version: Swap half the cream cheese for Greek yogurt. The texture will be slightly softer but still rich.
• Flavor twist: Add a swirl of Nutella or caramel over the top before baking and drag a knife through for a marbled look.

If you’re serving guests who are watching added sugar, you can find evidence-based guidance on sugar and health from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Example of a Thanksgiving dessert #2: Skillet apple crisp with oat-pecan topping

If pumpkin isn’t everyone’s favorite at your table, apple crisp is one of the most comforting examples of Thanksgiving desserts you can serve. It has all the flavor of apple pie without the stress of rolling out perfect pastry.

This skillet version bakes in a cast-iron or oven-safe skillet, which looks great on the table and keeps the dessert warm longer. It also fits right in with 2024’s rustic, “from the pan to the table” dessert trend.

Ingredients

For the apple filling

• 6–7 medium apples (a mix of tart and sweet, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the oat-pecan topping

• 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for a different texture)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prep the apples
   Peel, core, and slice the apples about 1/4-inch thick. In a large bowl, toss them with the sugars, flour or cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice.

2. Start the filling on the stove
   Melt the butter in a 10–12 inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples start to soften and the juices thicken slightly.

3. Make the topping
   In another bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms clumps and no large butter pieces remain.

4. Bake
   Sprinkle the topping evenly over the warm apples. Transfer the skillet to a 350°F oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

5. Serve warm
   Let the crisp cool for at least 10–15 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Make-ahead and dietary tips

This crisp is a flexible example of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes that you can prep in parts:

• Make-ahead: Mix the dry topping ingredients and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Slice the apples the morning of and keep them in lemon water, then drain and toss with sugar and spices before cooking.
• Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats and swap the flour for a gluten-free blend or almond flour.
• Dairy-free: Use a plant-based butter substitute in the topping and serve with dairy-free ice cream.

For guests with celiac disease or serious gluten sensitivity, it’s worth reviewing guidance from reputable sources like the National Institutes of Health to understand cross-contact and safe ingredient choices.

Example of a Thanksgiving dessert #3: Maple bourbon pecan pie

Pecan pie is one of the most classic examples of Thanksgiving desserts, and this version leans into two big 2024 dessert trends: bold flavors and less corn syrup. Maple syrup adds depth, and a splash of bourbon gives the filling a warm, grown-up note. If you prefer, you can leave the bourbon out and still have a rich, satisfying pie.

Ingredients

For the crust (or use a store-bought 9-inch pie shell)

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 3–5 tablespoons ice water

For the filling

• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups pecan halves

Step-by-step instructions

1. Make the crust
   Stir the flour, salt, and sugar together. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until the dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

2. Roll and blind-bake
   Roll the dough into a 12-inch circle and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges. Chill the shaped crust for 20–30 minutes. Line with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes, remove the weights, then bake 5 more minutes until the bottom looks set.

3. Mix the filling
   Whisk the maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, bourbon (if using), vanilla, and salt until smooth. Stir in the pecans.

4. Bake the pie
   Pour the filling into the warm crust. Bake at 350°F for 40–50 minutes, until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly but isn’t liquid. If the crust browns too quickly, cover the edges with foil.

5. Cool completely
   Let the pie cool at room temperature for at least 3–4 hours so the filling can set. This makes it one of the easiest make-ahead examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes because you can bake it the day before and forget about it.

Flavor twists and serving ideas

• Chocolate pecan: Scatter 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips over the bottom of the crust before adding the filling.
• Orange-maple: Add 1 teaspoon orange zest to the filling for a brighter flavor.
• Mini tarts: Bake the filling in mini tart shells for a dessert table full of bite-size options.

If you’re watching saturated fat or added sugars, resources like Mayo Clinic offer guidance on enjoying desserts in moderation as part of a balanced holiday meal.

More examples include: trendy Thanksgiving desserts for 2024–2025

Beyond these examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes, you might want a few extra options to round out your table. Recent trends and social media feeds are full of fun twists on classic flavors. Some of the best examples include:

• Pumpkin tiramisu: Layers of pumpkin mascarpone cream and coffee-soaked ladyfingers, a lighter-feeling alternative to heavy pies.
• Apple cider donuts: Baked or fried, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and served warm in a basket.
• Salted caramel pumpkin trifle: Cubes of pound cake layered with pumpkin mousse and caramel sauce in a glass bowl.
• Cranberry cheesecake: A creamy cheesecake topped with tart cranberry compote for color and contrast.
• Sweet potato brûlée: Sweet potato custard baked in ramekins, topped with a crackly sugar crust.

These are great examples of Thanksgiving desserts to mix with your three core recipes if you’re feeding a large crowd or want both traditional and modern options.

How to choose the best examples of Thanksgiving desserts for your table

When you’re staring at too many recipes, think about:

• Balance: Aim for at least one pumpkin, one fruit-based, and one nutty or chocolate dessert. The three recipes here are designed around that idea.
• Texture: Mix creamy (cheesecake bars), crunchy (pecan pie), and juicy or soft (apple crisp) so every plate feels interesting.
• Make-ahead potential: All three of these examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes can be made partly or entirely in advance, which matters when your oven is already busy with turkey and sides.
• Dietary needs: Plan at least one dessert that can be easily adapted to gluten-free or dairy-free so nobody is left out.

FAQ: Real examples of Thanksgiving desserts, answered

Q: What are some classic examples of Thanksgiving desserts besides pie?
A: Classic examples include pumpkin cheesecake bars, apple crisp, bread pudding made with leftover rolls, cranberry cobbler, and sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows or pecan streusel. The three recipes in this guide are some of the best examples of Thanksgiving desserts if you want familiar flavors with a slightly updated feel.

Q: What is an easy example of a Thanksgiving dessert I can make the night before?
A: Pumpkin cheesecake bars and maple pecan pie both hold up beautifully overnight. The flavors actually improve as they rest, making them perfect examples of Thanksgiving desserts you can prep ahead and chill.

Q: How many different desserts should I serve?
A: For 6–8 people, two desserts are usually enough. For 10–14 people, three examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes is a smart target—one pumpkin, one fruit, and one nut-based or chocolate dessert. If you’re hosting a larger group, add a simple option like brownies or a store-bought ice cream to stretch the menu.

Q: Can I make healthier versions of these examples of Thanksgiving desserts?
A: Yes. You can cut sugar slightly, use whole-grain flours in crusts and toppings, and serve smaller portions with plenty of fresh fruit on the side. For guidance on healthier holiday eating, look at resources such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate recommendations.

Q: What’s a good example of a Thanksgiving dessert for someone who doesn’t like pumpkin?
A: Apple crisp, pecan pie, cranberry cobbler, and chocolate cream pie are all solid options. In this guide, the skillet apple crisp and maple pecan pie are perfect examples of Thanksgiving desserts that feel festive without any pumpkin at all.

If you build your menu around these three recipes—pumpkin cheesecake bars, skillet apple crisp, and maple bourbon pecan pie—you’ll have a dessert spread that feels classic, current, and totally doable. From there, you can add one or two trendy extras, and you’ll have your own personalized lineup of examples of Thanksgiving desserts: 3 delicious recipes plus a few bonus treats your guests will talk about long after the leftovers are gone.