Looking for easy Thanksgiving desserts that won’t keep you stuck in the kitchen all day? I totally get it! Between the turkey, sides, and getting the house ready for guests, the last thing you need is a complicated dessert that takes hours to make.
That’s why I’ve put together this collection of my favorite easy Thanksgiving desserts—recipes that are quick, delicious, and will impress your guests without stressing you out. Most of these can be made in 20-30 minutes, and several are no-bake options that free up precious oven space!
I remember my first Thanksgiving as a host. I tried to make three different pies from scratch while simultaneously roasting a turkey and making six side dishes. Let’s just say it didn’t go well—I was exhausted before dinner even started! Now I know better: the secret to a stress-free Thanksgiving is choosing easy Thanksgiving desserts that taste amazing but don’t require culinary school skills or hours of prep.
Table of Contents
Why Choose Easy Thanksgiving Desserts?
Before we dive into the recipes, let me share why simpler is better when it comes to Thanksgiving desserts:
Time Management:
- More time to enjoy with family and guests
- Less stress on the big day
- Oven space for the turkey and sides
- Energy left to actually enjoy the meal!
Practical Benefits:
- Many can be made ahead (even days before!)
- No-bake options save oven space
- Simpler cleanup means less dishwashing
- Budget-friendly ingredients
Still Impressive:
- Your guests will never know they were « easy »
- Beautiful presentation with minimal effort
- Classic flavors everyone loves
- Perfect for potlucks and gatherings
Family-Friendly:
- Kids can help make them
- Less complicated means fewer things can go wrong
- Great for beginner bakers
- Adaptable to dietary needs
What is the Most Popular Dessert for Thanksgiving?
Pumpkin pie is hands-down the most popular dessert for Thanksgiving, followed closely by pecan pie and apple pie. According to surveys, about 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed during Thanksgiving week in the United States alone!
Top 5 Most Popular Thanksgiving Desserts:
- Pumpkin Pie – The undisputed champion (classic custard filling with warm spices)
- Pecan Pie – Sweet, nutty, and indulgent (second most popular)
- Apple Pie – Classic American dessert perfect for fall
- Sweet Potato Pie – Southern favorite, similar to pumpkin but richer
- Cheesecake – Growing in popularity, especially pumpkin cheesecake
Why Pumpkin Pie Dominates:
- Traditional association with Thanksgiving
- Seasonal ingredients (pumpkins harvested in fall)
- Perfect spice profile (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)
- Relatively simple to make
- Pairs perfectly with whipped cream
Modern Trends: While traditional pies still reign supreme, there’s a growing trend toward easy Thanksgiving desserts like dump cakes, no-bake treats, and individual portions. Many hosts now offer a « dessert bar » with multiple options rather than just one or two pies.
🥧 RECIPE 1: NO-BAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
Time: 20 minutes prep + 4 hours chill | Serves: 8-10
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Instructions:
- Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, press into 9-inch pie pan
- Beat cream cheese until fluffy (2 minutes)
- Add pumpkin, sugar, spice, and vanilla
- Fold in whipped cream
- Pour into crust, refrigerate 4 hours
- Top with whipped cream before serving
Why it’s easy: No baking required! Free up your oven for other dishes.
🍎 RECIPE 2: QUICK APPLE CRISP (20 MINUTES!)
Time: 5 minutes prep + 15 minutes bake | Serves: 6-8
What Sweet Treats Can I Make Quickly?
Looking for sweet treats you can make quickly? Apple crisp is your answer! This is one of the fastest easy Thanksgiving desserts you can make—seriously, it’s ready in 20 minutes flat.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups sliced apples (use pre-sliced to save time!)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup oats
- ⅓ cup flour
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Toss apple slices in baking dish
- Mix remaining ingredients, sprinkle over apples
- Bake 15 minutes until bubbly and golden
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
Time-saving tip: Buy pre-sliced apples from the produce section!
🍫 RECIPE 3: 3-INGREDIENT PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE
Time: 5 minutes prep + 45 minutes bake | Serves: 12
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup melted butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F, grease 9×13 pan
- Spread pumpkin puree in bottom of pan
- Pour evaporated milk over pumpkin
- Sprinkle dry cake mix on top (don’t mix!)
- Drizzle melted butter over everything
- Top with pecans
- Bake 45 minutes until golden
Why we love it: Literally dump ingredients and bake. No mixing required!
🥜 RECIPE 4: NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER PIE
Time: 15 minutes prep + 2 hours chill | Serves: 8
Ingredients:
- 1 store-bought Oreo crust
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
- Chocolate syrup for drizzling
Instructions:
- Beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth
- Add powdered sugar, mix well
- Fold in whipped cream
- Spoon into Oreo crust
- Chill 2 hours
- Drizzle with chocolate before serving
Perfect for: Those who don’t like traditional Thanksgiving flavors!
🍰 RECIPE 5: PUMPKIN MOUSSE (READY IN 10 MINUTES!)
Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 6
What Dessert Can I Make in 20 Minutes?
If you’re asking « what dessert can I make in 20 minutes? », pumpkin mousse is your hero! This light, creamy dessert is ready in just 10 minutes and tastes incredible.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 cups whipped cream
- Graham crackers for serving
Instructions:
- Whisk pumpkin, pudding mix, milk, and spice (2 minutes)
- Fold in whipped cream gently
- Spoon into serving glasses
- Chill until serving (or serve immediately!)
- Garnish with crushed graham crackers
Why it’s genius: No baking, no cooking, just mixing!
🍪 RECIPE 6: EASY PECAN PIE BARS
Time: 15 minutes prep + 25 minutes bake | Serves: 16
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F, line 9×13 pan
- Mix cake mix, butter, and 1 egg to form crust
- Press into pan, bake 10 minutes
- Mix condensed milk, remaining egg, vanilla
- Stir in pecans, pour over crust
- Bake 25 minutes until set
- Cool completely before cutting
Easier than pie: All the flavor, none of the pie crust hassle!
🍮 RECIPE 7: PUMPKIN TRIFLE
Time: 20 minutes assembly | Serves: 10-12
Ingredients:
- 1 store-bought pound cake, cubed
- 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 3 cups whipped cream
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions:
- Prepare pudding per package, fold in pumpkin and spice
- Layer in trifle dish: cake cubes, pumpkin pudding, whipped cream
- Repeat layers
- Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle
- Refrigerate until serving
Showstopper: Looks impressive in a glass trifle bowl!
🥧 RECIPE 8: QUICK CRANBERRY TART
Time: 10 minutes prep + 20 minutes bake | Serves: 8
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 egg (for brushing)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Roll out puff pastry on baking sheet
- Mix cranberries, sugar, juice, cornstarch
- Spread on pastry, leaving 1-inch border
- Fold edges up, brush with egg
- Bake 20 minutes until golden
- Cool slightly before serving
Beautiful & tart: Cuts through the richness of Thanksgiving dinner!
🍫 RECIPE 9: CHOCOLATE PUDDING PARFAITS
Time: 15 minutes | Serves: 6
What Dessert Goes Well with Turkey Dinner?
Wondering what dessert goes well with turkey dinner? Rich chocolate desserts are perfect! They provide a contrasting flavor to the savory meal. These chocolate pudding parfaits are light enough not to overfill guests, yet indulgent enough to satisfy sweet cravings.
Best desserts to serve with turkey:
- Chocolate desserts – Provide flavor contrast
- Fruit-based desserts – Refreshing after heavy meal
- Creamy desserts – Lighter than heavy pies
- Individual portions – Easier serving for large groups
Ingredients:
- 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups whipped cream
- 1 cup crushed Oreos
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions:
- Prepare pudding per package directions
- Layer in glasses: pudding, whipped cream, crushed Oreos
- Repeat layers
- Top with chocolate shavings
- Chill until serving
Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for those who don’t like pumpkin!
🍎 RECIPE 10: CARAMEL APPLE DIPPERS
Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 8
Ingredients:
- 6 apples, sliced
- 1 jar caramel sauce, warmed
- Toppings: chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, coconut, pretzels
Instructions:
- Arrange apple slices on platter
- Warm caramel sauce in microwave
- Set out various toppings in small bowls
- Let guests dip apples in caramel then toppings
Interactive & healthy(ish): Guests love building their own!
🍰 RECIPE 11: PUMPKIN ROLL (SIMPLIFIED)
Time: 25 minutes prep + 15 minutes bake | Serves: 10
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 8 oz cream cheese filling (store-bought)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F, line jelly roll pan
- Beat eggs and sugar 5 minutes
- Fold in pumpkin, then dry ingredients
- Spread in pan, bake 15 minutes
- Roll in towel while warm, cool
- Unroll, spread with cream cheese filling
- Re-roll, chill 1 hour
- Slice and serve
Looks fancy: But it’s actually easier than you think!
🥜 RECIPE 12: EASY PECAN PRALINE CAKE
Time: 10 minutes prep + 30 minutes bake | Serves: 12
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients on box)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions:
- Prepare cake per box directions in 9×13 pan
- Mix pecans, butter, brown sugar, cream
- After cake bakes, poke holes with wooden spoon
- Pour pecan mixture over hot cake
- Broil 2-3 minutes until bubbly
- Cool before serving
Secret weapon: Tastes homemade but uses a cake mix!
💡 Tips for Easy Thanksgiving Desserts Success
Make-Ahead Strategy:
- 3 days before: Make no-bake desserts (cheesecake, mousse)
- 2 days before: Bake bars and cakes, store covered
- 1 day before: Assemble trifles, make crusts
- Day of: Quick assembly, final touches only
Time-Saving Hacks:
- Use store-bought crusts – Graham cracker or Oreo
- Buy pre-whipped cream – Saves 5-10 minutes
- Pre-sliced apples – Available in produce section
- Cake mixes aren’t cheating – They’re smart!
- Frozen whipped topping – Perfectly fine substitute
Oven Space Solutions:
- No-bake desserts – Free up oven completely
- Make ahead and chill – Bake days before
- Use slow cooker – Some dump cakes work here
- Instant Pot desserts – Cheesecakes cook perfectly
Presentation Tricks:
- Individual servings – Mason jars, ramekins, wine glasses
- Fresh garnishes – Whipped cream, mint, berries
- Dusting – Powdered sugar makes everything fancy
- Drizzles – Caramel or chocolate sauce
- Serving warm – With vanilla ice cream
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest Thanksgiving desserts for beginners?
The easiest Thanksgiving desserts for beginners are: no-bake pumpkin cheesecake (just mix and chill), pumpkin dump cake (literally dump and bake), apple crisp (5 ingredients, 20 minutes), chocolate pudding parfaits (just layer!), and store-bought items with homemade touches (add whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or fresh fruit to bakery pies). These require minimal baking skills and are nearly impossible to mess up!
Can I make Thanksgiving desserts the day before?
Yes! Many easy Thanksgiving desserts are actually better when made ahead: No-bake cheesecakes and mousses benefit from overnight chilling, pecan pie bars taste better the next day, dump cakes can be baked and reheated, trifles should sit overnight for flavors to meld, and pumpkin rolls can be made 2-3 days ahead. Only avoid making ahead: fresh fruit desserts (they get soggy), meringue-topped items (they weep), and dishes meant to be served warm unless you’re okay reheating them.
What Thanksgiving desserts don’t need the oven?
No-bake Thanksgiving desserts are lifesavers when oven space is limited: No-bake pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin mousse, chocolate pudding parfaits, peanut butter pie, caramel apple dippers, trifles, pumpkin fluff/whip, icebox cakes, and refrigerator pies. These desserts are perfect because they free up your oven for the turkey and sides while still delivering impressive, delicious results!
How do I transport Thanksgiving desserts to someone’s house?
Transporting desserts safely: Pies and tarts – keep flat in boxes or carriers with non-slip mats, cakes – use cake carriers or large tupperware, parfaits/trifles – use cups with lids or wrap well with plastic, bars/cookies – layer in containers with parchment between layers, and mousse/pudding – transport in serving dishes covered tightly. Pro tip: Keep desserts level in your car (trunk is best) and bring serving utensils, plates, and any garnishes separately to add fresh before serving!
What if I’m not good at baking?
Don’t worry! Easy Thanksgiving desserts for non-bakers include: buying good quality bakery pies and topping with homemade whipped cream, making no-bake desserts (no oven stress!), using high-quality mixes (cake, pudding, pie filling), assembling store-bought components (cookies, cream, fruit), or creating a dessert board with cheese, fruit, nuts, chocolate, and cookies. Remember: presentation is everything! A store-bought pie on a pretty plate with fresh whipped cream looks homemade.
Can I make gluten-free or vegan Thanksgiving desserts?
Yes! Many easy Thanksgiving desserts adapt well: For gluten-free – use GF graham crackers for crusts, GF cake mixes, GF flour blends, and naturally GF desserts like mousse or pudding parfaits. For vegan – use coconut cream for whipped cream, dairy-free cream cheese, aquafaba for meringues, and vegan butter/milk. Several desserts on this list work great: pumpkin mousse (with coconut cream), apple crisp (with coconut oil), and chocolate parfaits (with vegan pudding).
How many desserts should I make for Thanksgiving?
General rule: Plan 1.5 servings per person (people often sample multiple desserts). For 8 people, make 2-3 different desserts. For 12-16 people, make 3-4 desserts. For 20+ people, offer 4-5 options. Smart strategy: One traditional (pumpkin pie), one fruit-based (apple crisp), one chocolate option (for those who don’t like pumpkin), and one light option (mousse or parfait). This covers all preferences!
What are the most budget-friendly Thanksgiving desserts?
Cheapest easy Thanksgiving desserts: Apple crisp ($6-8 serves 8), pumpkin dump cake ($8-10 serves 12), pudding parfaits ($8-10 serves 6), pecan pie bars ($10-12 serves 16), and caramel apple dippers ($6-8 serves 8). Money-saving tips: Use store brands, buy in-season fruit (apples are cheap in fall), make dump cakes with mixes, skip fancy garnishes, and choose recipes with fewer ingredients. You can make amazing desserts for $10 or less!
Why These Easy Thanksgiving Desserts Work
I’ve tested every single recipe multiple times with my family (they’re very willing taste testers!). Here’s why these easy Thanksgiving desserts are so effective:
1. Time-tested recipes – No experimental disasters on Thanksgiving
2. Common ingredients – Nothing exotic or hard to find
3. Flexible timing – Most can be made ahead or last-minute
4. Crowd-approved – Classic flavors everyone loves
5. Stress-free methods – Clear instructions, hard to mess up
6. Beautiful results – Look impressive with minimal effort
7. Various options – Traditional, chocolate, fruit-based, no-bake
8. Dietary adaptable – Easy to make GF, DF, or vegan
These aren’t just « easy » recipes—they’re legitimately delicious desserts that happen to be simple!
Final Thoughts
Making easy Thanksgiving desserts doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or impressive presentation. With these recipes, you can create a beautiful dessert spread without spending hours in the kitchen or stressing about complicated techniques.
What I’ve learned after years of hosting Thanksgiving is that guests care more about spending time together than whether you made everything from scratch. These simple desserts give you the gift of time—time to actually enjoy the holiday, connect with loved ones, and maybe even sit down during the meal!
My favorite strategy? Make 2-3 desserts: one no-bake (done days ahead), one quick bake (done the day before), and one super simple day-of option. This gives variety without overwhelming yourself.
So this Thanksgiving, give yourself permission to keep dessert simple. Your guests will be impressed, you’ll be relaxed, and everyone will have room for seconds! 🦃🥧✨
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy stress-free baking!
Quick Reference:
- ✅ 12 Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
- ✅ Most ready in 20-30 minutes
- ✅ Several no-bake options
- ✅ Make-ahead friendly
- ✅ Budget-conscious choices
- ✅ Family-approved flavors
- ✅ Adaptable to dietary needs
