Looking for a non-pie Thanksgiving dessert? This list of Thanksgiving desserts that are not pie has everything you need from Thanksgiving cakes to Thanksgiving dessert bars!
Dessert has to be my favorite course during Thanksgiving. I am all about the side dishes, too, but desserts for sure take the cake for me.
I'm as guilty as anyone that when it comes to Thanksgiving desserts, I always think of pies, like my grandma's pecan pie.
But there are SO many amazing Thanksgiving desserts that are not pies. Think all of the same great pie flavors — pumpkin, apple, sweet potato, cranberry, pecan, cinnamon, maple — but in non-pie form.
Thanksgiving menu tips
When you are serving Thanksgiving, it's a good idea to offer some classic Thanksgiving recipes along with any non-traditional dishes you may serve.
This holiday is all about comforting, nostalgic food, so you don't need to deviate from the family favorites too much. For example, if you make a traditional-style turkey, you can make a fancier stuffing to go with it, like this easy stovetop sausage stuffing. Instead of the usual rolls, you could make rosemary drop biscuits.
You could also make a unique spin on a classic recipe, like garlic green beans instead of regular green beans. Little specks of creativity throughout the menu will keep it new and exciting but also friendly to all your guests.
That goes for dessert too: If you're serving more than one dessert, you may want to serve a pie in addition to any non-pie desserts you may be planning.
Types of Thanksgiving desserts
Below we've pulled together a fantastic list of all the Thanksgiving desserts you could make that are NOT pie!
There are so many great ideas, such as:
- cakes and cupcakes
- cookies
- tarts and crisps
- dessert bars
- mousse and puddings
45 Thanksgiving Desserts That Are Not Pie
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Thanksgiving Cakes
Fluffy, moist cake is the perfect substitute for pie at Thanksgiving. You can also go for cheesecake if that's your thing.
This is the perfect fall dessert to make! Mini Apple Spice Rum Cakes are a twist on pound cake, made with fall spices like cloves, ginger and allspice, spiced rum and crisp apples. Serve it with a homemade spiced rum caramel sauce and top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Pumpkin sheet cake is the perfect dessert to share this fall! It's packed with fall spices and pumpkin, so it's bound to be a hit! It's so easy to make and share with friends! The maple cream cheese frosting makes this dessert almost irresistible.
Cast Iron Apple Skillet Cake is the perfect fall dessert! It's quick and easy to make, needing only five ingredients, including a box of cake mix. This cake is baked in a cast iron skillet for an extra rustic touch and fun way to serve your dessert.
Combine two favorite fall flavors to make the ultimate fall dessert: Praline Upside Down Pumpkin Cake with a Bourbon Caramel Sauce! This festive cake, topped with pecan praline goodness and bourbon caramel sauce, is perfect for sharing.
Thanksgiving Cupcakes
Bite-size cupcakes are a tasty and kid-friendly alternative to pie at the holidays.
These light and fluffy pumpkin cupcakes are topped with a rich and creamy maple frosting. The best fall dessert and an easily shareable treat!
Apple spice cupcakes are a fun change from the plethora of pumpkin treats during the fall. You'll love this easy and flavorful recipe!
Sweet, moist Sweet Potato Cupcakes are topped with a fluffy Marshmallow Meringue Frosting and then lightly toasted for the most festive dessert recipe you’ll ever make.
Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is a delightful addition to the Thanksgiving dessert table. Have fun with seasonal flavors or keep it traditional.
These mini caramel apple cheesecakes make the perfect, individually portioned fall dessert!
Love chocolate and craving a rich and creamy cheesecake? This Chocolate Cheesecake is just for you! With a chocolate cookie crust, this is a double-chocolate dessert dream.
Mini Lemon Cheesecakes are the perfect bite-size dessert for a party or gathering! These sweet little bites will not last long at your next gathering. The lemon flavor is light and bright, but perfect for any time of year!
Thanksgiving Cookies
Cookies at Thanksgiving? Why not! These delicious fall cookies would be the best dessert.
These perfectly chewy cookies are loaded with pumpkin spice and cinnamon sugar. They're absolutely delicious!
Ginger Molasses Snickerdoodles are the perfect holiday sweet! These ginger molasses cookies will remind you of the taste of gingerbread cookies, with the soft chewy texture that snickerdoodles are known for. These cookies are so simple to make and share with friends at your next holiday party!
These thick, quick and easy-to-make Cinnamon Cookies are a bit crisp on top and deliciously soft on the inside. They’re full of warm cinnamon flavor and are topped with crunchy cinnamon sugar.
No Bake Stained Glass Window Cookies are made with melted butter butter and chocolate chips plus colorful mini marshmallows. The mixture is rolled into logs and sliced into one inch thick cookies. This quick recipes makes enough for a crowd so this recipe is perfect for all of your holiday gatherings!
These Pie Crust Cookies are a pie crust lover's dream! Pie crust cutouts dusted in cinnamon sugar and baked until golden! An easy fall treat!
Thanksgiving Tarts and Crisps
These aren't pies, per se! You don't have to roll out a crust, but they have a similar vibe.
This fall apple crisp is an easy dessert that is perfect for any occasion! Made with a mix of sweet and tart apples and topped with the perfect brown sugar oat crumble topping! It's best served warm with a scoop of ice cream but no matter how you eat it, it will be a crowd-pleaser for sure.
These easy cinnamon sugar puff pastry pear tarts are so delicious and easy to pull off. They'd be perfect for the holidays.
Classic apple pie filling in a flakey tart pastry crust with notes of cinnamon, allspice and cloves drizzled in easy, homemade caramel sauce is Thanksgiving ready.
This Baileys and Oreo Tart recipe is a festive Baileys dessert – a holiday favourite in our house. It contains 6 ingredients and is almost no-bake, making it perfect for a potlucks and last minute hosting.
Thanksgiving Dessert Bars
These handheld desserts are great for a dessert table or sending home with guests.
These pecan pie crumble bars are perfect for the holidays or when you need a little holiday spirit any time of the year! These bars have a shortbread pie like crust, gooey pecan pie filling, and the easiest crumble topping. After trying these, you may never need pecan pie again. If you're not usually a fan of pecan pie, give these pecan pie crumble bars a shot, they just may surprise you!
These No Bake Buckeye Bars are the perfect make ahead dessert recipe! They're indulgent and creamy and will disappear quickly! A crunchy peanut butter and graham cracker crust, topped with smooth chocolate. Your new favorite easy dessert recipe!
These Cranberry Oat Crumble Bars have sweet, tart, cranberry sauce nestled between a soft oatmeal base and a crumbly oat topping. Use leftover cranberry sauce to make these crumb bars even easier. They are so delicious. You’re gonna love them!
These Paleo Pumpkin Bars are a fun and healthy way to enjoy fall baking season! Soft fudgy pumpkin blondies flavored with lots of pumpkin pie spices are topped with a honey cream cheese frosting for the ultimate fall themed pumpkin bars!
These thick and chewy M&M Christmas Cookie Bars are perfect for your holiday cookie exchange and holiday get togethers! These easy cookie bars are packed with red and green M&M's and chocolate chips in every bite.
Mousse, Puddings and Custards
These individual size desserts are great for big crowds.
If you need a simple but elegant dessert that is refined sugar free, Maple Pots de Crème are the perfect choice. These French dessert custards are beyond easy to make, made with a few simple ingredients like heavy whipping cream, egg yolks, maple syrup, vanilla bean and a dash of salt. Whoever you serve these Maple Pots de Crème to will be impressed by the taste and you will be impressed by the simplicity of making these decadent desserts.
This is an easy blender recipe for cranberry clafoutis. Loaded up with dark chocolate chunks and pecans, the classic French custardy breakfast gets a holiday spin.
Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake is a deliciously moist, date cake drenched in a warm butterscotch-toffee sauce. It's a classic and iconic British dessert popular in Scotland, England, and Ireland.
Pumpkin Spice Whipped Greek Yogurt is an incredible make-ahead dessert that tastes JUST LIKE pumpkin pie filling – made with plain Greek yogurt, and sweetened with maple syrup. You’ll be eating this one all Fall long!
This Vanilla Tequila Bread Pudding is the perfect easy dessert to serve to a crowd or just for two! This boozy bread pudding has the perfect blend of spices and is topped with a scoop of ice cream and a splash of vanilla tequila.
Confections and Other Treats
Beyond these desserts, there are candies and confections like truffles and bark that make great snacky treats.
No-Bake Candy Corn Turkey Cookies are the perfect dessert for kids of all ages! These Thanksgiving turkeys are a super fun treat!
Everyone needs a batch of these 5-ingredient vegan Pumpkin Spice Dark Chocolate Truffles to have for the holidays! They’re super rich, easy to make, melt in your mouth, and make the perfect after dinner dessert or holiday gift!
This colourful and healthier Pistachio and Pomegranate Frozen Yogurt Bark is an easy to make yogurt snack or dessert that the whole family will love. It needs only 4 common ingredients and a few mins to make.
Which non-pie Thanksgiving dessert would you try? These unique Thanksgiving desserts are sure to be amazing!
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