Thanksgiving dessert doesn’t have to mean a weekend of rolling out pie crust! I’ve grouped these favorites by how much work they take, from classic holiday pies to easy crisps and dump cakes, plus big cakes that feed a crowd. Pick one from each group and your dessert table is set!
Classic Holiday Pies
These are the pies that make Thanksgiving feel like Thanksgiving. Most of them taste even better made a day ahead, which frees up your oven for the turkey. A store-bought crust works well in almost all of them, so don’t let the pastry hold you back!
Easy Pecan Pie
A gooey, buttery filling packed with pecans in a flaky crust. It’s the one pie I’d never leave off the Thanksgiving table, and it’s simpler to make than you might think.
Mom’s Easy Apple Pie
Tender cinnamon apples baked in a golden crust, just the way Mom makes it. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert everyone loves!
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Light, airy, and full of warm pumpkin spice, this chiffon pie is a fluffier take on the classic. It’s a lovely choice when everyone is already full from dinner.
Chocolate Chess Pie
A rich, fudgy filling that tastes like a brownie baked in a pie crust, with a thin, crackly top. It takes about 15 minutes to stir together and slices best after a night in the fridge.
Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
Chocolate, pecans, and a splash of bourbon turn the classic pecan pie into something extra special. It’s a grown-up treat for the dessert table.
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie
This simple Southern custard pie is sweet, creamy, and just a little tangy from the buttermilk. It’s made with pantry staples, so it’s easy to add to the holiday lineup.
Cranberry Pie
Tart cranberries baked into a sweet, buttery dessert that adds a pop of color to the table. It’s a nice change of pace when you’re surrounded by pumpkin and pecan.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Creamy peanut butter filling in a crunchy crust, with no baking required. It’s perfect for the kids’ table, and it keeps your oven free for everything else!
Easier Than Pie
No rolling, crimping, or blind baking here. These dump cakes, crisps, cobblers, and bars give you all the classic Thanksgiving flavors with a lot less work, and most of them bake in a 9×13 that serves a crowd. If you’re short on time, start with these!
Pumpkin Dump Cake
All the flavor of pumpkin pie with a buttery crumb topping and none of the crust work. It’s an easy way to get a big pan of pumpkin dessert on the table.
Pecan Pie Bars
All the gooey, nutty goodness of pecan pie, baked in a pan and cut into neat squares. They’re easier to serve to a big group, and you don’t need a pie plate at all.
Apple Crisp
Tender, cinnamon-spiced apples under a buttery, crumbly topping. It’s cozy, simple, and perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pumpkin Bars
Soft, cake-like pumpkin bars topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re easy to slice, easy to transport, and always welcome on a holiday dessert table.
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Apple slices wrapped in crescent roll dough and baked in a sweet, buttery sauce. They taste like little apple pies, with almost none of the effort.
Easy Apple Cobbler
Warm, spiced apples under a golden cobbler topping, just like the ones at a Southern church supper. It’s an easy, comforting dessert for a crowd.
Pear Crisp
Juicy pears under a crunchy, buttery topping make a simple dessert that’s a little different from the usual apple. It’s easy to make and lovely served warm.
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Sweet apples and tart cranberries bake together under a crumbly topping. The bright red color makes it look extra festive on the Thanksgiving table.
Easy Banana Pudding
Vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and creamy pudding layered into a true Southern classic. It’s no-bake and made ahead, so it’s one less thing to worry about on the big day.
COLLECTION
Love a warm fruit dessert? My Old-Fashioned Cobblers and Crisps collection has more to try, from blackberry cobbler to peach crisp.
Apple Dump Cake
Apple pie filling and a buttery cake mix topping come together with almost no prep. It’s one of the simplest fall desserts you can make for a crowd.
Cakes and Puddings for a Crowd
When you’re feeding a big group, a cake or bread pudding goes a lot further than a single pie. Many of these start with a cake mix or bake in a Bundt pan, and most can be made a day or two ahead.
Pumpkin Cake {Cake Mix}
A box of yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin make a moist, spiced cake that’s ready for the oven in minutes. It’s an easy pumpkin dessert that serves a crowd.
Old Fashioned Whiskey Cake
A moist, old-fashioned cake soaked in a warm whiskey glaze. It’s a grown-up treat for the dessert table, and it’s even better when you bake it a day ahead.
Apple Bundt Cake {Apple Dapple}
Chunks of tender apple are baked into a moist Bundt cake and finished with a sweet caramel glaze. It’s beautiful on a cake stand, and it slices easily for a crowd.
Caramel Cake
A classic Southern layer cake with rich, buttery caramel icing. It’s a showstopper for the holiday table and the kind of cake people remember.
Maple Walnut Cake {with Cake Mix!}
Sweet maple flavor and crunchy walnuts make this cake mix shortcut taste completely homemade. It’s a cozy fall cake that’s just as good at Christmas.
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Dense, buttery, and incredibly moist, this pound cake is a Southern holiday staple. Serve slices plain, or top them with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
COLLECTION
Can’t get enough pound cake? My Pound Cake Recipes collection has more favorites, from cream cheese to classic vanilla.
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Warm, spiced bread pudding drizzled with a rich bourbon sauce is pure comfort food. It’s a great way to feed a crowd, and it’s a nice change from pie.
Tips for the Thanksgiving Dessert Table
A little planning makes dessert the easiest part of the meal. These simple tips help everything come together:
- Bake most desserts a day ahead. Pies, cakes, and bars all hold well overnight, and custard pies like chess and buttermilk need time to set anyway.
- Mix make-ahead and no-bake options. Pair one baked pie with a no-bake dessert, like banana pudding, so you’re not fighting for oven space on the big day.
- Plan on two or three desserts. For most Thanksgiving crowds, one pie, one crisp or dump cake, and one cake is plenty, with something for every taste.
- Set out toppings and let everyone help themselves. A bowl of whipped cream and a carton of vanilla ice cream make every dessert feel special without any extra work.
I hope these desserts make your Thanksgiving a little sweeter! Save this list so it’s handy while you plan, and share it with anyone who’s in charge of bringing dessert.
