10 Best Thanksgiving Desserts

We’ve all been here before. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and the savory spread is figured out. The smoked turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and veggies are on lock. However, something is still missing… dessert! What on earth are you going to make for your guests? With this list of unique Thanksgiving-ready desserts, get ready to be inspired. It’s full of my favorite fall-flavored desserts plus a mix of my Ukrainian favorites!

Choosing the Right Thanksgiving Desserts (Go Beyond Pie!)

There are a million and one Thanksgiving dessert recipes out there that are a departure from the same-old, same-old pie recipe. That is to say, if you don’t want to resort to pumpkin pie with whipped cream or classic apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, we’ve gathered our best and brightest recipes for you to build your Thanksgiving dessert table with. The common thread between them all? They’re full of quintessential fall flavors, tastes, and textures. You’re bound to find a dessert (or two or three) you’ll be proud to contribute!

3 Top Tips for All Thanksgiving Desserts

Being in charge of the Thanksgiving desserts table can put on a lot of pressure. A couple tips will help you manage the day-of stress…

• DIY where you can. Don’t put a ton of pressure on yourself to make every little thing homemade. If you have time to make pumpkin puree or pie dough from scratch, go for it! But, there’s nothing wrong with going for canned or premade if you need the breathing room.
• Prepare your dessert a day or two ahead of time. In addition, save yourself the day-of stress by making your desserts a day or two ahead of time.
• Invest in good airtight containers for storage. If you are going to prep your desserts ahead of time, invest in some airtight containers to keep them fresh. If you’re making a cake, get an airtight cake container to protect it in storage (#lifesaver).

10 Amazing Thanksgiving Desserts

1. Fall Leaves Sugar Cookies

For as simple as these sugar cookies are, they’re always such a huge crowd pleaser. Perhaps one of the most festive recipes on our list of Thanksgiving desserts! Whether you eat them plain or slather them with some homemade cream cheese frosting, be prepared to watch them disappear quickly. Of note, you’ll need a maple leaf-shaped cookie cutter to whip up this recipe.

2. Dulce de Leche Cake (Golden Key Cake)

This dulce de leche cake is a Slavic staple. It’s made with a decadent sour cream-infused cake batter and slathered with dulce de leche cake cream. Also, let us not forget all the toasted chopped hazelnuts. It’s one of the most unique Thanksgiving desserts you can make!

3. Dutch Apple Pie

This Dutch apple pie is a spin on the traditional apple pie. Instead of a double crust, the top of this pie is topped with crumbs. You know what that means — it’s even easier than the usual apple pie!

4. Pecan Pie Bars

These bars are sticky and delicious — so much so that you won’t be able to keep your hands off of them! They’re like pecan pie — but in bite-sized portions!

5. Kiev Cake (Ukrainian Classic)

This cake is so popular in Ukrainian culture, that if you visit the capital of Kyiv/Kiev and don’t bring one back home to the states you can consider yourself a criminal (LOL). It’s made with European-style sponge cake, meringue, chopped hazelnuts, chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk. In short, this cake doesn’t skimp on texture!

6. Nutella Crepe Cake Recipe

This Nutella crepe cake is for all of you out there that can’t get enough of the famous chocolate hazelnut spread. Made with thin layers of stacked cocoa-infused crepes alternated with Nutella-spiked cream, each slice looks like an art piece.

7. Dulce De Leche Sandwich Cookies

Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies, aka “alfrajores”, are delicate sandwich cookies filled with creamy dulce de leche. Eaten all throughout Latin America, you can have them plain or with a simple sprinkle of powdered sugar. During the holidays, we up the ante by dipping them in chocolate and chopped nuts!

8. Rugelach (Rogaliki)

Rogaliki is the Slavic version of Polish rugelach. You’ll find them stuffed with either jam or crunchy poppy seed filling. Above all, you’re going to love how the sour cream-infused dough melts in your mouth.

9. Pear Galette

I make galettes so often it’s not even funny! They’re so crazy easy, yet so delicious, so why not? Check this one out for yourself.

10. Old Fashioned Jam Tarts

In this dessert, you’ll make buttery pastry shells and fill them with your favorite jam. All you need is a cookie cutter and a mini cupcake mold.

Other Tasty Holiday Desserts

• Caramel Apple Cake – Caramel apples in cake form
• Quick Apple Turnovers (Only 5 Ingredients) – Hand pies filled with tart apples and cinnamon sugar
• Amazing Orange Almond Cake Recipe – A unique, citrusy fall treat
• Baked Pears Dessert – Creamy baked pears topped with fruit and chocolate