Enjoy some of BoB’s best Thanksgiving desserts, from cakes to cheesecakes to cobblers and a whole lot in between!
The Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
While I’m still of the mindset that Thanksgiving is primarily about the pies, I absolutely feel there’s room for some other desserts as well. It’s good to have a little variety, right?
Here are some of my favorite desserts to make for Thanksgiving. I’ve got cakes, cobblers, cheesecakes, and more. I’ve even got more casual options like cookies and brownies. There are some from way back in the archives and some much more recent favorites, too.
And be sure to follow along with my baking adventures for a few more dessert ideas coming your way!
I hope these recipe suggestions help you plan your best Thanksgiving yet! Do let me know what’s on your holiday dessert menu. And remember to tag me on Instagram if you make a recipe from BoB!
Enjoy! And happy Thanksgiving! (And if you still want pie, click here!)
How Much Dessert Should I Make for Thanksgiving?
There’s no hard and fast rule because every group of guests is different. Some will want to just have a small serving after the big meal, while others may want to sample a bit of everything! If you have the same or mostly the same crowd year after year, then you probably have a pretty clear idea of how much you’ll need.
At a minimum, count on one serving per person. I usually err on the side of abundance and have at least two servings per person. If it’s not all eaten right away, that just means delicious leftovers!
Best Thanksgiving Desserts {That Aren't Pie!}
These recipes offer a departure from the traditional pies of Thanksgiving in favor of cakes, cheesecakes, and more. With a variety of flavors, there's sure to be something here for everyone!
Cakes
A beautiful, delicious cake is a wonderful ending to your Thanksgiving meal! These cakes feature seasonal flavors along with some year-round favorites. There's a lot of territory to cover here, so we'll start with layer cakes and then move on to Bundt cakes, one-layer cakes, and finally mini cakes.
Pecans and white chocolate combine to make this beautiful and delicious cake. This one has long been a favorite here at Bob!
This simple cake is a favorite among BoB readers every fall. It features cake layers filled with fresh apples and a simple cinnamon frosting. It's like fall in a cake!
This beauty has both chocolate and vanilla cake layers with a nutty chocolate frosting sandwiched between them. It's such an eye-catching dessert, and it's incredibly delicious, too!
This twist on traditional caramel cake features a cream cheese frosting along with a layer of caramel between the cake layers.
This flavorful cake features rich dulce de leche in both the cake and the frosting. It's indulgent, delicious, and easy to make!
Italian Cream Cake isn't really Italian, but it is completely delicious! Vanilla, coconut, and pecans combine to make this classic dessert.
When I want something rich and indulgent for a special occasion, this chocolate and salted caramel cake is one of the first desserts that comes to mind. It's amazingly delicious and always a crowd-pleaser!
There's some serious "wow factor" going on here! It's rich, gooey, and utterly delicious. It may be a bit more involved that most of the recipes I share, but it's totally worth it for a special occasion.
This simple, old-fashioned cake is perfect for a cozy Thanksgiving dinner with close friends and family. There's nothing fancy about it, but it's just so very good!
You'll get plenty of fall spices in this cake, making it perfect for Thanksgiving. Add a rich glaze to take it over the top.
This delicious Rum Cake is a holiday tradition for my family. While we used to make it with cake mix, I've updated it for a mix-free alternative. Either way you make it, it's irresistible!
Don't be deceived by the simple look of this Kentucky Butter Cake. Underneath its unassuming appearance is a rich, buttery, absolutely irresistible cake that will be devoured by your guests!
This lovely cake gets its flavor from sweet pears, crunchy hazelnuts, and a to-die-for sour cream glaze.
For the big-time peanut butter lovers on your guest list, this simple peanut butter cake can't be beaten.
Not only is this cake delicious, but it's also one of the prettiest Bundt cakes you'll ever make! It has big almond flavor, thanks to almonds, almond extract, and almond liqueur.
This simple cake offers a lovely blend of sweet and tart flavors with a hint of orange. It works well not just for dessert but also for a sweet brunch ending or an afternoon treat.
Fresh apples, warm spices, and a rich, gooey glaze make this cake a winner!
Toasty nuts and a sweet glaze combine to make this beautiful and delicious cake.
Pears are often overlooked in a sea of apples and pumpkins every fall. But one bite of this Spiced Pear Cake and you'll definitely not be overlooking them again! Wonderful spiced flavor, sweet pears, and a dreamy glaze are a perfect combination!
The flavor combination in this pretty cake is one of my favorites. It's a great choice if you're looking for something just a bit different to serve this Thanksgiving.
This flavorful chocolate cake is a good choice for an adults-only dessert option. Lots of almond flavor is a perfect complement to all this chocolate!
If you love the sweet, spiced flavor of cookie butter, then you'll adore this Cookie Butter Bundt Cake! That smooth, flavorful spread is incorporated into both the cake and the glaze. Top with speculoos cookies for even more of that irresistible flavor!
You get all of the great flavors of classic pecan pie in this easy-to-make Bundt cake! This one is longtime favorite here on BoB!
This big-batch cake will supply a crowd with apple-y goodness! Serve it just as it is, or add a simple glaze for a little extra sweetness and flavor.
When it comes to chocolate desserts, it's tough to beat this rich, flavorful cake. For even more chocolate flavor, it's topped with a chocolate ganache.
This flavorful cake is perfect for serving a crowd! The fluffy cake combined with the nutty frosting are impossible to resist.
Rum cake meets tres leches cake in this irresistible dessert. This one needs to chill before serving, so it's a great make-ahead option.
This wonderfully easy French Apple Cake has a rustic elegance that's irresistible. Honestly, it's more apple than it is cake, but you won't find me complaining about that. It's a lovely, simple dessert that's sure to impress!
This twist on the classic cake offers a coconut-pecan sauce spooned onto slices as they're served. You can also offer other toppings as options, making this a versatile crowd pleaser.
This cake is one of the best when it comes to low effort yet high yield desserts. It's wonderfully delicious and elegant, plus it's incredibly easy to make!
If you've got peanut butter lovers on your guest list, they'll adore this Texas-sized cake and its big peanut butter flavor!
Tall, delicate, nutty, and amazingly delicious, this cake is one of those that becomes an instant favorite after the very first bite.
It's the season for warm, cozy spices, and this cake has you covered with plenty of those. Add a simple frosting, and you'll be sneaking bites of this one every chance you get.
Similar to a Texas sheet cake but a bit smaller, this is a perfect choice for an indulgent chocolate option after your big meal.
If you can't get enough of the season's warm, cozy spices, then these Chai Spice Cupcakes are for you. They're the ultimate blend of chai flavors in a moist, fluffy cupcake!
Cupcakes may not be the first thing that comes to mind for Thanksgiving, but these might change your mind. The spice in the cupcakes pairs perfectly with the rich frosting.
I have a soft spot for tiny cakes, and these nutty ones are among my favorites. They're topped with a simple ganache to complement the hazelnut flavor.
Chocolate and peanut butter make another appearance on this list with these little cakes. They're so delicious and indulgent!
Cobblers, Crisps, and Crumbles
A warm, gooey fruit dessert hits the spot after all that turkey and trimmings. And they're a good excuse to enjoy a little ice cream, too.
With flavors perfect for Thanksgiving, this easy crumble offers a wonderful blend of sweet and tart.
The brown sugar topping really makes this cobbler extra good. The recipe makes enough for a crowd, too, so you'll have plenty to share.
Sweet pears and plenty of spices make this cobbler a favorite among BoB readers. (And me, too!)
For a classic fall dessert, it's tough to beat apple crisp. This one features lots of fall spices and a simple apple filling. Ice cream is highly recommended!
You'll love the brown butter in this sweet oat topping. And, of course, all of those sweet pears underneath it all!
There are graham cracker crumbs in this topping, offering a sweet twist on more traditional cobblers.
If you've never had Apple Brown Betty, then you're in for a treat! It's similar to a crisp or crumble, but it layers spiced apples with toasted breadcrumbs for a big ol' bowl of cozy comfort food.
Cheesecakes
Cheesecakes are one of my go-to desserts for a special occasion. They generally take some time to make, but they're usually really easy to mix and assemble. For something a little different, I've included some cheesecake bars and no-bake varieties as well.
For a fall-centric treat, you can't go wrong with this delicious cheesecake. It has a swirl of apple butter in a brown sugar cheesecake baked in a gingersnap crust.
Cinnamon lovers, this is your cheesecake! It's jam-packed with cinnamon flavor from the crust, the filling, and all the way to the topping.
The rich, sweet, bold flavors of this cheesecake are perfect for a special occasion like Thanksgiving!
You'll get plenty of fall spices here with these simple cheesecake bars made with a Biscoff crust.
A no-bake favorite! I usually make it with a shortbread crust, but you can substitute a cookie crumb crust if you like.
There's a lot going on here with an oatmeal cookie crust, caramel, cheesecake, and whipped cream. And it's all amazing!
Chocolate on top of chocolate on top of more chocolate makes this one a favorite for a special occasion like Thanksgiving!
Apples and caramel are an irresistible pair, and these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a prime example of that. You'll love the simplicity of this recipe, but you'll love the flavor even more!
This beautiful cheesecake has such wonderful almond flavor! Another favorite for the over-21 crowd.
These deconstructed apple cheesecakes are a fun, no-fuss option for the holiday. Great for making ahead, too!
Rich dulce de leche cheesecake plus a brownie crust is definitely a formula for deliciousness!
If you like a little salty with your sweet, this beautiful cheesecake will do the trick. It's topped with salted caramel and crunchy pecans for an irresistible dessert.
These pretty cheesecake bars are sweet, tart, and wonderfully delicious!
This cheesecake manages to be elegant and comforting all at the same time. It's a real beauty and it's packed with fall spices.
Sweet cinnamon-y cheesecake is a good idea all on its own, but add a pear crisp topping and you'll be in dessert heaven!
You get two classic desserts in one with this show-stopping cheesecake! I've been making this one for years, and it's probably my most-requested dessert.
For something off the traditional path, try this cheesecake that celebrates the magical combination of chocolate and peanut butter!
Casual Desserts
Thanksgiving dessert doesn't have to be a grand affair. How about serving a variety of cookies, brownies, and other smaller fare? Or a simple coffee cake for entertaining visitors in a more relaxed setting?
This simple celebration of fall flavors is a quick and easy treat to add to your Thanksgiving dessert options.
When it comes to comfort food, these old-fashioned oatmeal cookies are a big-time winner. These are loaded with fall spices to make them even more perfect for the season.
With butterscotch chips and lots of brown sugar, these are *the* treats for butterscotch fans!
This little cake is always a good idea. Perfect with your favorite coffee!
These nutty cookies are filled with your favorite caramel sauce for a sweet, gooey, crunchy treat.
These aren't your ordinary brownies. No, these feature a swirl of cheesecake flavored with spiced cookie butter!
These soft, cake-like cookies are filled with fresh apples and topped with a buttery, spiced crumb. They're quintessentially fall!
This dessert is a bit like banana bread in bar form. Add an amazing icing, and you'll be going for seconds!
Add your favorite apple butter (homemade or store-bought!) to oatmeal cookies to up the flavor ante!
You'll get big almond flavor in these easy-to-make cookies. They've got a rustic yet elegant look about them, and they taste amazing!
Enjoy the flavors of pecan pie in this fantastic anytime cake, whether you're serving it for drop-in guests or for a simple dessert.
These sweet, soft, chewy cookies are full of amazing, rich flavor. Roll them in coarse sugar for a fun look.
These creamy, flavor-filled bars have long been a favorite of mine. They're so delicious and also easy to make!
There's a lot going on in these brownies, and it's all good stuff! They're easy to make for a casual treat.
Inspired by a local bakery, this recipe takes one of my favorite brownie recipes and adds a simple cinnamon crumb topping.
Everything Else
These desserts offer some nontraditional options for your holiday meal. There's a lot to be found a little off the beaten dessert path!
For those of us who just can't get enough pecan pie filling, this easy crisp is the answer!
This simple tart is an elegant dessert that's sure to wow your guests! It looks and tastes like it came from your favorite French bakery!
Making bread pudding with pound cake is an excellent idea. Adding cookie butter is an even better one!
This quick and easy dessert is a long-time favorite. The cake and sauce bake all at once in the same pan to make an impressive-looking dessert really quite simple!
Not only is this Apple Strudel wonderfully delicious, it's also really easy to make with frozen puff pastry. Dress it up with a simple glaze or a big scoop of ice cream for a cozy, comforting dessert.
You've not truly experienced butterscotch pudding until you've had homemade. I'll take this dessert any day, but it's a lovely Thanksgiving option!
This is one delicious and decadent dessert! Bread pudding is always an indulgence, but add a rich, nutty, gooey sauce, and it's really something special!
For an elegant yet easy dessert, try these Chocolate Pots de Creme!
This fantastic bread pudding is a great make-ahead dessert with wonderful flavor!
9 Comments on “Best Thanksgiving Desserts”
Excellent, I like having a combination of the pies, cobblers, and bars. This way everyone has what they like. They are also great for leftovers.
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! Will try and pass on many soon.
OMG why did I choose today to visit? There isn’t ONE of these desserts that’s not to die for good looking. The pecan cake is screaming, “Make me first!!” but it’s so hard to decide.
I really really really want a slice of each.
Great round-up! I want all of them 🙂
Thanks so much for these; caramel is a food group.
Agreed! 🙂 Enjoy!
Even though I love the pies, I ‘m usually looking for something chocolate too. So the flourless chocolate cake has definitely gotten my attention!
I like to have a chocolate option, too!