This post contains affiliate links. Please visit my disclosure policy.
Thanksgiving desserts are the finishing touch on a perfect holiday meal, and this collection of recipes has something for everyone! From the classics like Apple Pie to unique treats like Turkey Rice Krispie Treats, these recipes are sure to please. Blend tradition with creativity to make your dessert table one that no one will forget.
Get ready to wow your guests with these drool-worthy recipes and maybe sneak a second serving!
Pecan Tarts (Pecan Tartlets)
This is the treat I make when I want pecan pie flavor without slicing a whole pie. They disappear from the dessert table faster than anything else I bring.
Pecan Tarts
Pecan Tarts (or Pecan Tartlets as they are often called) are a true holiday treat. Take your favorite pecan pie, brown sugar, butter, and pecans, in a cream cheese and butter pastry crust, then shrink it. They are perfect, bite-size treats for your Thanksgiving table.
This is the treat I let the kids decorate every year while I finish everything else. Candy corn feathers and chocolate chip eyes turn out a little different every time, and that’s half the fun.
Turkey Rice Krispie Treats
Transform regular Rice Krispie treats into turkey-themed desserts! Shape the treats into small ovals and decorate them with candy corn for feathers, chocolate chips for eyes, and a small piece of candy for the beak. These are perfect for getting the kids involved in the kitchen and will definitely put a smile on everyone’s face.
This is the cookie I make when I want something festive that the kids can actually help build. Marshmallow hats and a little bit of history at the table.
Pilgrim Hat Cookies
These delicious Thanksgiving Cookies that look like Pilgrim Hats will look so festive at your Thanksgiving table and they are perfect for kids to help make! They use cookies and big fluffy marshmallows. While making them, you can teach kids the history behind the first Thanksgiving meal.
This is how we always end our Thanksgiving feast, with cookie cutters cutting fall shapes into the top crust and vanilla ice cream waiting in the freezer.
Dutch Apple Pie
This Dutch Apple Pie has all the delicious flavors of apples mixed with warm fall spices and topped with a crumb topping. It’s the best apple pie recipe you will ever make!
This is the dessert I make when I want apple pie flavor without dealing with a crust. They travel better than pie too, which matters when you’re bringing dessert somewhere.
Apple Crisp Bars
Apple Crisp Bars are a great alternative to traditional apple pie. They have a buttery crust, a layer of cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crumbly oat topping. They’re easier to eat than a slice of pie and are delicious warm or at room temperature.
This is the pie I add to the Thanksgiving dessert table for the peanut butter and chocolate fans who skip the pumpkin pie every year.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie
If you love peanut butter and chocolate, this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie is a dessert for you. It is chocolatey, peanutty, cold, creamy, and so delicious.
This is the dessert I make for the cheesecake lovers who still want something that tastes like fall. It cuts into neat squares, which makes serving a crowd easy.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
If your kids enjoy cheesecake, these Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are a must-try. The creamy pumpkin-spiced filling sits on a buttery graham cracker crust and is topped with a swirl of whipped cream.
This is the treat I keep in my back pocket year-round, not just for Valentine’s Day. A few ingredients and it looks like I tried a lot harder than I did.
Puff Pastry Hearts
These delicious Puff Pastry Hearts are the perfect dessert to make for Valentine’s Day or any day for someone special. They are rich in flavor and so soft they melt in your mouth!
Buttermilk Cookies with Honey Buttercream Frosting
This is the cookie I make when I want all the best parts of a cupcake without baking a whole cake. The honey buttercream is what people always ask about.
Buttermilk Cookies with Honey Buttercream Frosting
Buttermilk Cookies with Honey Buttercream Frosting are like the top of a cupcake, soft, fluffy, and loaded with frosting. They are light, perfectly sweet, and so delicious.
This is the cheesecake I make when I don’t want to fight the oven for space on Thanksgiving Day. No baking required, and it still disappears fast.
No-Bake Vanilla Cheesecake
No-Bake Vanilla Cheesecake is a creamy dessert that’s easy to prepare. With its smooth filling, buttery graham cracker crust, cream cheese, and rich vanilla flavor, it’s a dessert that works for the whole holiday season.
This is the dessert I make when I want something sweet without turning on the oven at all. Layers of pudding and graham crackers do all the work while I do something else.
No-Bake Eclair Cake
Try this sweet and creamy, easy-to-make No-Bake Eclair Cake! It’s great for busy weeknights or special occasions, requires no baking, and is sure to be a hit with everyone.
27 Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Complete Your Holiday Menu
Thanksgiving Sides. Photo Credit: Southern Bytes.
Whether you’re hosting for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, finding the perfect sides can be a delightful yet daunting task. Here’s a list of 27 Thanksgiving Side Dishes that will not only complement your holiday menu but might just steal the show.
I’m the home cook and photographer at Southern Bytes. My love of cooking started in my mom’s kitchen more than 30 years ago and grew even stronger after I married into a Louisiana family that lives and breathes Southern food. These are the recipes that capture the heart of Southern tradition, from collard greens and gumbo to cornbread and red beans and rice.
