30 Thanksgiving Desserts Beyond Pie: Creative Sweets to Try

Looking to switch up your Thanksgiving dessert lineup or try something new this year? Here are Thanksgiving dessert ideas that aren’t pie—delicious, crowd-pleasing options your guests will request again and again.

Collage of 4 thanksgiving desserts with the title

As a baking blogger, holiday dinners usually feature a big dessert spread — it comes with the territory. Fortunately, I have plenty of tested holiday dessert recipes ready to go.

Pie is a classic (pumpkin, pecan, apple, cherry), and I love a good slice. But if you want options that aren’t pie, or you’d like to broaden your Thanksgiving dessert table, this collection has you covered.

Side view of two slices of pumpkin crunch cake on a white plate.

Thinking beyond pie

Pie is often the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dessert, but many guests appreciate a change of pace. If pie isn’t your favorite, consider cheesecakes, cookies, bars, crisps, or no-bake treats. They’re often easy to make, transport well, and offer a fresh take on familiar fall flavors.

Plated old-fashioned apple dumpling with more apple dumplings in the background

Setting up the perfect Thanksgiving dessert table

Don’t forget the dessert table when planning your holiday setup. If you prefer low-maintenance cleanup, attractive disposable dessert plates and utensils can look elegant while saving time. Choose neutral or metallic-trimmed paper plates and forks for a polished look, or use tiered stands and serving trays to maximize space and display a variety of treats.

Three mini pumpkin cheesecakes on a plate. One of them is unwrapped and has a bite taken out of it.

Favorite Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie

Below are 30 of my favorite non-pie Thanksgiving desserts, with options ranging from no-bake bites to cakes and bar desserts. These recipes highlight seasonal flavors—pumpkin, apple, pecan, cranberries, maple, and warm spices—that pair perfectly with holiday meals.

Cheesecakes

Cheesecake is a holiday favorite: classic baked cheesecakes, mini versions, and no-bake cheesecakes are all crowd-pleasers and often come together with minimal fuss.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

A seasonal baked pumpkin cheesecake that’s a family favorite. The recipe walks you through each step to ensure reliable results and a creamy texture every time.

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Close up of no-bake biscoff cheesecake in a glass ramekin.

No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecakes

Sweet Biscoff cookies plus tangy cream cheese make a delicious no-bake cheesecake that’s a great alternative to traditional pumpkin desserts.

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Spiced cheesecake with a gingersnap crust and caramel apple topping—everything you love about fall in one dessert.

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Nana’s Easy Cheesecake

A simple, nostalgic cheesecake topped with cherry filling—easy to make and always well received.

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No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

All the pumpkin cheesecake flavor without turning on the oven—simple, chilling-style dessert that’s perfect for busy holidays.

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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Chocolate crust adds a twist to these mini pumpkin cheesecakes; also includes a gluten-free option.

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No-bake desserts

No oven time? No problem. No-bake desserts deliver impressive flavor with minimal effort—great for hot kitchens or when oven space is limited.

Close up of halved pumpkin cheesecake bite.

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls

Pumpkin cheesecake flavor rolled into cookie balls—use Biscoff for extra spiced sweetness. Cute, portable, and ideal for parties.

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Pumpkin Trifle

A show-stopping trifle made with pumpkin layers and whipped cream—perfect for using leftover pumpkin bread or cake.

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Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip

Cream cheese, caramel, and toffee bits make an irresistible dip for crisp apple slices—simple, shareable, and great alongside other desserts.

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Pineapple Fluff

A classic “fluff” salad that’s light, fruity, and a fun nontraditional Thanksgiving dessert option.

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Rum Balls

Traditionally enjoyed during holiday season, rum balls are an easy make-ahead treat that holds up well for parties and gift trays.

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Bar desserts

Bars are ideal for holidays—simple to slice and serve, easy to transport, and available in flavors everyone loves.

Caramel Pecan Bars

Chocolate, pecans, and caramel combine in a rich, shareable bar—perfect for a dessert table or potluck.

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Plated pumpkin pecan pie bar with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars

Combines the best elements of pumpkin and pecan pie into an easy-to-serve bar.

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Apple Cider Blondies

Chewy blondies infused with apple cider and warm spices—an irresistible fall-flavored bar.

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Bite from an apple crisp bar on the top of a stack of bars.

Apple Crisp Bars

All the flavor of apple crisp in a portable bar—easy to pack for gatherings and perfect with a scoop of ice cream.

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Pecan Bars

A bar version of pecan pie that’s easy to slice and transport—often preferred to making a whole pie.

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Cranberry Crumb Bars

Tart cranberries and a buttery crumb topping create a bright, festive bar that balances richer desserts.

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Cake server holding a caramel apple blondie up to the camera.

Caramel Apple Blondies

Caramel frosting and toasted pecans top chewy apple blondies—comforting and crowd-pleasing.

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Cookies

Cookies travel well and are easy to portion. For Thanksgiving, try seasonal flavors beyond the classic chocolate chip.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Two cakey pumpkin cookies sandwiched with tangy cream cheese frosting—fun, hand-held, and full of flavor.

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Frosted Maple Cookies

Maple-forward flavor with a sweet frosting—ideal for showcasing a favorite fall ingredient.

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Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Classic snickerdoodle texture with pumpkin and warm spices added—soft, chewy, and irresistible.

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Fruit desserts

Use seasonal fruit for bright, comforting desserts—tarts, crisps, dumplings, and cobblers make a wonderful alternative to pie.

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

An elegant, easy apple tart made with puff pastry—serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a hit dessert.

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Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Impressive-looking but straightforward, these apple dumplings are a comforting, nostalgic dessert.

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Cranberry Apple Crisp

Sweet apples and tart cranberries with a crisp topping—delicious with whipped cream or ice cream.

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Apple Pear Crisp

Pears add delicate sweetness to an apple crisp—top with caramel for an extra-special touch.

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Cakes

Cakes are festive and easy to serve: sheet cakes, bundts, and rolls can be made ahead and decorated simply for a beautiful centerpiece dessert.

Slices of pumpkin cake on a wooden board.

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A classic pumpkin sheet cake finished with tangy cream cheese frosting—easy to slice and share.

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Pumpkin Roll

A ribbon cake filled with cream cheese frosting—classic, elegant, and perfect for holiday gatherings.

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Apple Butter Cake

A moist cake made with apple butter and topped with brown butter frosting—cozy flavors that celebrate fall fruit.

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Easy Apple Bundt Cake

Starts with a boxed mix for speed but finishes with homemade touches for a delicious, no-fuss cake.

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Pumpkin Crunch Cake

A nostalgic treat that layers pumpkin cake with a crunchy topping—simple to prepare and always popular.

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