Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Everyone knows the best part of Thanksgiving is the dessert table. So round yours out with a few classics, like pumpkin pie, but save room for new favorites, too, like salted caramel bread pudding and apple turnovers.

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Four and Twenty Blackbirds Salted Caramel Apple Pie

This sister-run bakery has cornered the market on pies in certain parts of New York City. This layered apple pie has garnered legendary status and is the stuff of holiday dreams.

Get the Recipe: Four and Twenty Blackbirds Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Don’t mess with the classics. This traditional pumpkin pie recipe (which is easy, thanks to canned pumpkin) is an absolute showstopper.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie

Apple Crisp

Kelsey Nixon's apple crisp is our pick for the classic undone dessert. Her topping of oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts is perfectly sweet, crumbly and crunchy, especially when paired with vanilla ice cream.

Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

The toasted walnut and graham cracker crust on which Bobby Flay builds his vanilla bean cheesecake is just the start of this decadent dessert. An apple brandy-boosted caramel oozes over the top, while a pile of pretty apple slices gives this dessert showstopping status.

Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Bacon Bourbon Pecan Pie

Combine three of the ingredients you're most thankful for into one decadent pie: bacon, bourbon and lots of butter. The classic pecan-filled dessert gets tangy flavor from a cream cheese-studded crust and a drizzle of smoky booze on top.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Bourbon Pecan Pie

Sugar-Cranberry Pie

Sure, cranberry sauce might be traditional, but why not change things up and serve this gorgeous sweet and tart pie instead? Its peekaboo window makes this treat extra festive.

Get the Recipe: Sugar-Cranberry Pie

Apple Pie

Michael Symon uses lard to achieve a super flaky crust, and he fills his pie with tart Granny Smith apples and a touch of heavy cream and butter to thicken the mixture.

Get the Recipe: Apple Pie

Maple Pecan Pie

What's better than Mom's pie? This take on pecan pie comes from Chuck's mom and is sure to have guests coming back for seconds.

Get the Recipe: Maple Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Spicy Caramel Apple Sauce

Build layers of flavor with this decadent bread pudding, starting with fall-spiced pumpkin bread and bourbon-spiked custard. Spicy star anise- and ginger-infused caramel sauce pair perfectly with a sweet vanilla bean creme anglaise.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Spicy Caramel Apple Sauce and Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a slice of perfectly spiced pumpkin pie.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie

Pear and Cranberry Crostata

Though this freeform dessert takes a bit of effort, the end result is worth it: a buttery crust filled with rich almond cream topped with ginger-roasted pears and cranberries.

Get the Recipe: Pear and Cranberry Crostata

Lattice Apple Sheet Pie

This double-size pie makes feeding a crowd easy: its press-in dough is more forgiving than the traditional variety, but yields an equally tender-and-flaky result. Just pipe our proprietary lattice dough through a pastry bag for the final effect –– no complicated weaving required.

Get the Recipe: Lattice Apple Sheet Pie

Sweet Potato Pie with Crunchy Cranberry Topping

Tyler's spin on classic sweet potato pie takes a luscious Italian turn, featuring a sweet, crisp topping made with crumbled amaretto cookies, pecans and cranberries.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie with Crunchy Cranberry Topping

Pumpkin Pie Icebox Cake

This chilled dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving or any day you're craving seasonal flavors. It comes together quickly, thanks to the use of prepared pumpkin pie puree, which is already sweetened and requires no additional spices. Prepare the pie one day ahead to allow the crust time to become tender.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Icebox Cake

Pumpkin Cheesecake

The earthy sweetness and custard-like texture of pureed pumpkin lends itself beautifully to this silky fall-flavored cheesecake. For a nice contrast, add a candied almond crunch and a dollop of amaretto whipped cream on top.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Mini Pecan Pumpkin Pies

Sunny's hybrid recipe shrinks the classic pecan-and-pumpkin pies into single snack-sized bites. Crushed pecans are incorporated into the pie dough itself, which holds a vanilla-spiked pumpkin filling.

Get the Recipe: Mini Pecan Pumpkin Pies

Apple Turnover

To make the most of Chuck's recipe for crackly puff pastry turnovers, use apples that are sweet, firm and crunchy, such as Honeycrisp, Empire or Cortland.

Get the Recipe: Apple Turnover

Upside-Down Pear Cranberry Tart

This rustic tart gets its origins from the French apple tarte Tatin, and it can be a beautiful alternative to classic American apple pie. You don't even need a pie tin — and if you feel like it, you can just use premade dough.

Get the Recipe: Upside-Down Pear Cranberry Tart

Aida's Pecan Pumpkin Crunch

Not hosting this year? Aida's easy pecan-topped pumpkin cake makes a great take-along treat.

Get the Recipe: Pecan Pumpkin Crunch

Mile-High Apple Pie

This mega-sized pie isn’t just about looks — it’s packed with fall flavor, thanks to two types of apples and a hidden layer of marzipan filling.

Get the Recipe: Mile-High Apple Pie

Chocolate Apricot Tart

For a dessert that combines the flavors of chocolate pudding and cookies (a guaranteed crowd-pleaser), try this simple tart with a grown-up secret: a smear of brandy-soaked apricots. The press-in crust and quick chocolate filling promise easy prep too.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Apricot Tart

Ginger Snap Pumpkin Pie with Ginger Cream

The addition of gingersnap cookies gives pumpkin a little kick and the just-ripe banana lends extra sweetness. P.S. Don't scrimp on the ginger whipped cream; it brings everything together for a double hit of gingery goodness.

Get the Recipe: Ginger Snap Pumpkin Pie with Ginger Cream

Dutch Apple Cake

The fruit in this cake sinks to the bottom while it cooks, leaving a light sponge on top with a lovely sugar crust.

Get the Recipe: Dutch Apple Cake

Salted Caramel Bread Pudding with Caramelized Apples

Old-fashioned favorites — bread pudding and caramelized apples — come together for one glorious, gooey dessert.

Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Bread Pudding with Caramelized Apples

Pumpkin Pie in a Sheet Pan

Got a crowd that loves pumpkin pie? This giant dessert in sheet-cake form serves 16. For a fancy flourish, place pie dough rounds around the perimeter to create a fanned crust.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie in a Sheet Pan

Apple and Walnut Torta

An Italian torta is a cakelike pie. Giada De Laurentiis fills hers with diced apples, chopped walnuts and orange zest before lacing it with Grand Marnier. The result is an elegant, well-rounded dessert that’s as well suited to a boozy brunch meal as it is to dinner.

Get the Recipe: Apple and Walnut Torta

Down Home Sweet Potato Pie with Maple Syrup Meringue

Although this pie is the perfect addition to any holiday table, it’s just too good to save for only special occasions. Serve it year-round, with the homemade crust or a store-bought one. (Shh! We won’t tell.)

Get the Recipe: Down Home Sweet Potato Pie with Maple Syrup Meringue

Caramel Apple Pie

Amp up apple pie with a crumb topping, chopped pecans and a sweet swirl of caramel sauce.

Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Pie

Chai Poached Pears

This perfect Thanksgiving dessert can be made days ahead, doesn't require any oven space and is full of flavor, but light enough to follow your Thanksgiving feast. Use homemade chai for the poaching liquid, and be sure to select firm, unripe pears that can take their time soaking up the spicy chai flavor.

Get the Recipe: Chai Poached Pears

Pecan Pie

This classic pie is especially easy because it does not require you to blind bake the crust or precook the filling. The toasty pecans in the sweet, gooey sugar filling taste extra homey when served warm. Enjoy with a dollop of whipped cream!

Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie

Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Creamed Cheese Frosting

This rustic-looking cake may not be the most glamorous dessert on your dinner table, but its ultra-moist texture and rich flavor can't be beat.

Get the Recipe: Cissy's Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Creamed Cheese Frosting

Pear Cobbler with Cranberry Streusel

Baked pears, coated with brown sugar and butter, are a tender, perfectly autumnal dessert. Serve the cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Get the Recipe: Pear Cobbler with Cranberry Streusel

David Rocco's Torta Di Ricotta

Ricotta, whipped cream and bittersweet chocolate are topped with tender poached pears for an amazing apple pie alternative.

Get the Recipe: Carla's Torta Di Ricotta

Apple Galette

A galette is a French tart (or simply a pie without a plate), so there's no fancy fluting or lattice-top crust to worry about. You can mix and match the apples to suit your mood, and it adds to the drama if some of the juices escape — just be sure to bake on a sided baking sheet.

Get the Recipe: Apple Galette

Pear-Cranberry Crumble

Instead of serving a traditional pumpkin or pecan pie, try this easy, subtly sweet crumble that pairs in-season Bartlett pears with cranberries.

Get the Recipe: Pear-Cranberry Crumble

Salted Caramel Nut Tart

These tiny, elegant treats are simple to make, thanks to a store-bought crust. The recipe calls for a finishing sprinkle of sea salt –– use a small pinch, as its flavor is quite strong.

Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Nut Tart

Quercyan Apple Cake

Not to worry if you can't quite master the paper-thin dough of this Two Fat Ladies recipe — as long as it's thin enough to roll without breaking, you'll be in for a well-deserved treat.

Get the Recipe: Quercyan Apple Cake

Tatin Pie

Simple ingredients shine in Chuck's elegant take on this French classic, with buttery puff pastry layered with Golden Delicious apples and topped with sponge toffee.

Get the Recipe: Tarte-Tatin: Tatin Pie

Pumpkin Pie Cookies

These one-bite treats pack all of the flavors of fall into a single crisp cookie. Hedy Goldsmith gives her filling a kick by spiking it with bourbon and a bit of sour cream.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Chopped Walnut and Coffee Cake

The Two Fat Ladies are full of surprises. This isn't a "coffee cake" in the traditional sense — it's a bold cake made with coffee grounds, nuts and, most unexpectedly, fresh breadcrumbs.

Get the Recipe: Chopped Walnut and Coffee Cake

Apple Crumble with Candied Bacon

Nadia G. gives traditional crumble a salty-sweet update with the addition of crisp candied bacon.

Get the Recipe: McIntosh Maple Crumble with Candied Bacon

Apple Pie Egg Roll

Kelsey breaks the mold –– the pie mold –– with these wonton-wrapped, handheld bites. Don’t forget to dust them with powdered sugar for an extra hit of sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Egg Roll

Honey-Glazed Apple Pear Tart

Apples and pears meld in harmony on top of this sweet and buttery honeyed tart from Kelsey.

Get the Recipe: Honey-Glazed Apple Pear Tart

Pecan Pie Pops

It's just more fun to eat food off a stick. And your guests will appreciate a bite-sized treat (as it will let them do double duty on the dessert table).

Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Pops

Throwdown Pumpkin Pie

Bobby Flay adds heavy cream and Grade B maple syrup to create a fluffy, rich texture and deeply flavorful filling in his holiday pie. A scraped vanilla bean also adds an extra hint of sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Throwdown Pumpkin Pie

Apple Bread Pudding With Caramel Dessert Sauce

Stale challah bread is the key to Kelsey's indulgent bread pudding — because it's dry, it'll be that much better at soaking up the heavy cream and homemade caramel, resulting in plump, flavor-packed pieces.

Get the Recipe: Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Dessert Sauce

Pumpkin Chai Pie Lollipops

What could be more festive than a pumpkin pie on a stick? Bake these grab-and-go treats to lend instant holiday cheer to your house (their seasonal spices will waft through your kitchen for hours).

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Chai Pie Lollipops

Pumpkin-Ginger Pie with Golden Marshmallow Topping

Torn between pecan and pumpkin pie? Have the best of both worlds with this pumpkin pie recipe that features a layer of pecan-laced streusel beneath the pumpkin filling.

Fried Apple Hand Pies

The only thing better than a slice of apple pie is a pie you can hold in your hand. These portable treats are fried to create crispier, flakier, completely irresistible dough.

Get the Recipe: Fried Apple Hand Pies

Quick Pear Tart

Sunny Anderson combines the best of both worlds — salty and sweet — to create this super-simple tart studded with pears and cheddar.

Get the Recipe: Quick Pear Tart

Walnut Tart

This cool cousin of pecan pie is crunchy and creamy, rich and dense, and super sweet.

Get the Recipe: Walnut Tart

Cherry Pie-in-a-Jar

On a stick, in a jar: Pie keeps getting reinvented. Kelsey's pie-in-a-jar is another great way to give your guests individual pie love.

Get the Recipe: Cherry Pie-in-a-Jar

Spiced Heirloom Pumpkin Pie

Fluffy orange flower meringue adds tang to this nicely spiced take on pumpkin pie.

Get the Recipe: Spiced Heirloom Pumpkin Pie

Spiced Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Kelsey's cake will surely go fast, with three decadent layers of spongy cake, spiced pumpkin filling and a crumbly topping flecked with ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Get the Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Maple Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie will never be the same: Here, the basic filling gets kicked up with maple syrup, bourbon and a few grinds of black pepper.

Get the Recipe: Maple Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie

Bourbon Banana Puddings

This Southern staple always satisfies — especially when the vanilla pudding base gets kicked up with brown sugar and bourbon.

Get the Recipe: Bourbon Banana Puddings

Pumpkin Stracciatella Gelato

"Stracciatella" means "little rags" in Italian, and it refers to the shards of pure chocolate in this amazing gelato. You can make and eat this the same day, but it’s better when chilled overnight.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Stracciatella Gelato

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Whoopie pies aren't just for summer — this autumn version features creamy maple marshmallow filling sandwiched between super-soft pieces of pumpkin cake.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Carrot Cake

Who can resist a slice of carrot cake? Rachel Allen tops hers with orange cream cheese icing to really seal the deal.

Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake

Pumpkin Mousse

Top Laura's pumpkin mousse recipe with a rich chocolate sauce for an impressive alternative to pumpkin pie.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Mousse

Kelsey's Banana Caramel Cream Pie

This pie opens up like a gift: Layers of creamy custard, sliced bananas and salted caramel are all hidden beneath fresh whipped cream.

Get the Recipe: Banana Caramel Cream Pie

Slow-Baked Honey Wine Pears

Laura slowly bakes pears in a honey-wine mixture for a sweet, light dessert. Serve with Cognac-spiked whipped cream to complete the dish.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Baked Honey Wine Pears

Tarte Tatin

Light golden puff pastry, soft juicy fruit and crisp caramel is a great combination. You could serve this with a spoonful of creme fraiche or whipped cream, but cold ice cream provides pleasing temperature contrast.

Get the Recipe: The World-Famous Tarte Tatin

Maple Pear Upside-Down Cake

Decadent but simple, this maple-pear upside-down cake will be the surprise hit of your dessert buffet.

Get the Recipe: Maple Pear Upside-Down Cake

Cranberry, Vanilla Bean and Orange Gelatina

Add a pop of color to the table with layers of festive gelatin.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry, Vanilla Bean and Orange Gelatina

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes