Easy Thanksgiving Desserts (19 Pies, Bars and No-Bake Treats)
These Easy Thanksgiving Desserts give you 19 ways to finish the big meal, from a classic pumpkin pie and lattice apple pie to no-bake cheesecake bars, pecan cookies and caramel treats. Plenty of them need no oven at all, which helps when the turkey is taking up all the space.
Working on the rest of the menu? My Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes and Appetizers has stuffing, potatoes and starters, and my Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu pulls it all together.
Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Table
- Mix baked and no-bake: Your oven is busy with the turkey, so pair one or two baked pies with a no-bake cheesecake or bars that only need the fridge.
- Let the no-bake desserts set ahead: The no-bake cheesecakes and bars need time in the fridge to firm up, so they’re natural ones to make before the big day.
- Have something besides pumpkin: Not everyone loves pumpkin. Add an apple, pecan or chocolate dessert so every guest finds something they want.
- Think about serving: Bars, cups and cookies are easier to share than a whole pie, and they’re simple to set out on a dessert board.
- Plan for leftovers: Sweet Potato Brownies use up leftover mashed sweet potatoes, so they’re a good bake for the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Classic Thanksgiving Pies and Pumpkin Desserts
Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Pumpkin puree and warm spices in a smooth, creamy filling inside a flaky, buttery crust. Add a dollop of whipped cream and you have the dessert most families expect on Thanksgiving.
Easy Apple Pie Recipe
Tender apples and warm spices in a generous, saucy filling under a golden lattice top. The other pie that belongs on the table, and lovely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pumpkin Hand Pies with Maple Glaze
Little pumpkin pies wrapped in flaky crust and topped with a sweet maple glaze. They use store-bought crust and are easy to pick up straight off the dessert table.
Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Soft pumpkin spice cake rolled around a smooth cream cheese filling. It looks impressive sliced on a platter, and the post walks you through the rolling step by step.
Thanksgiving Cheesecakes and Cheesecake Bars
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
A Biscoff crust and creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling, chilled until firm and topped with whipped cream, pecans and caramel. Made ahead, they slice cleanly and serve a crowd.
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Cups
Layers of Biscoff crust and pumpkin cheesecake filling in single-serve cups, with no oven needed. Pumpkin pie flavor without slicing a pie for everyone.
No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecake
A buttery Biscoff crust, a thick creamy filling and a layer of melted cookie butter with crushed cookies on top. It’s no-bake and easy to make ahead, so the oven stays free for the turkey.
Biscoff Cheesecake Cups
Little cups with a buttery cookie crust, creamy cheesecake filling and a spoonful of melted cookie butter on top. No baking, and they’re quick to put together.
No-Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake
A gingersnap crust under a creamy filling full of warm gingerbread spice. No oven needed, which is handy when the oven is busy with everything else.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Creamy cheesecake, apple pie filling and a buttery graham cracker crust, finished with a crunchy strudel topping and a caramel drizzle. Apple pie and cheesecake in squares that are easy to share.
Pecan and Caramel Thanksgiving Desserts
Salted Caramel Pecan Bars
A buttery shortbread base, a thick layer of salted caramel and toasted pecans on top. Caramel squares are sold in every shop in Ireland, and these are my Georgia version with pecans.
Pecan Pie Cookies
Thick chocolate chip pecan cookies with gooey pecan pie filling in the center and a chocolate drizzle. The dough needs an hour in the fridge, so plan a little ahead.
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
Soft chocolate cookies rolled in pecans, filled with caramel and finished with a chocolate drizzle. Chocolate, caramel and pecans in every bite.
Maple Pecan No Bake Cookies
Oats, butter and pecans set into cookies with a maple glaze on top. No oven needed, and they’re made with pantry ingredients you probably have already.
Caramel Pecan Banana Bread
A soft banana loaf with chopped pecans and ribbons of caramel inside, and more caramel and pecans on top. A good one to have sliced on the counter for guests staying over the holiday weekend.
More Easy Thanksgiving Treats
Sweet Potato Brownies
Fudgy chocolate brownies made with mashed sweet potato and topped with a glossy chocolate ganache. A great way to use up leftover sweet potatoes after the big meal.
No-Bake Coconut Cream Bars
A graham cracker crust, a thick coconut pudding layer and a light, fluffy topping, all from simple pantry ingredients. A cool, creamy option next to all the warm pies.
Biscoff Truffles
Creamy Biscoff truffles coated in a cookie butter and white chocolate shell. No oven needed, and a batch is easy to set out on a dessert tray or pack up for guests to take home.
Gingerbread Trifle
Soft gingerbread cake, spiced cheesecake filling, whipped cream and a caramel drizzle, layered in individual cups. A nice change from pie if you want something spiced and layered.
Come cook with us! I share new easy recipes and dinner ideas in my Facebook group, and it’s a friendly spot to see what everyone is making this week. Join the group here.
Easy Thanksgiving Desserts FAQ
Planning the whole day? My Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu has the turkey, sides and desserts in one simple plan. For more pumpkin, see my Sweet Pumpkin Recipes to Try This Fall, and when you’re ready for December, my Easy Christmas Desserts are waiting.
