10+ Unique Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes to Delight Your Guests

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, delicious food. While traditional desserts like pumpkin pie and pecan pie are well-loved, exploring unique Thanksgiving dessert recipes can add a special twist to your holiday gathering.

Bringing something new to the table can make your celebration even more memorable. Whether you seek warmth from spiced flavors or a refreshing take on fall favorites, unique desserts can delight your guests and make the holiday truly yours.

Pumpkin Pie with Maple Whipped Cream

Pumpkin pie is a classic dessert for Thanksgiving. Adding maple whipped cream brings a delicious twist. The sweetness of maple syrup pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of pumpkin.

To make this pie, you’ll need a pie crust filled with a smooth pumpkin filling flavored with classic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Once baked, it sets beautifully.

For the maple whipped cream, combine heavy cream with maple syrup. Whip it until soft peaks form. This topping adds a delightful sweetness and creamy texture.

Serve your pumpkin pie with a generous dollop of the maple whipped cream. It’s a treat that will impress your guests and make your Thanksgiving memorable.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin spice, salt, and eggs.
3. Pour into the pie crust.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 40-50 minutes.
5. Cool completely.
6. Whip heavy cream with maple syrup until soft peaks form.
7. Serve pie topped with maple whipped cream.

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie bars are a delicious twist on the classic pecan pie. They are easy to make and perfect for Thanksgiving. You can enjoy the same rich flavor in a quick bar form.

To make pecan pie bars, you’ll start with a buttery shortbread crust. It adds a nice crunch that complements the gooey pecan filling. The filling is sweet and nutty, making it a crowd favorite.

These bars are great for gatherings since they cut easily. You can serve them at Thanksgiving dinner or any fall get-together. Your guests will love the unique twist on a traditional dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups pecans, chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan.
3. In a bowl, mix butter and brown sugar until creamy.
4. Stir in flour and press into the bottom of the pan.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.
6. In another bowl, mix eggs, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt.
7. Stir in chopped pecans.
8. Pour filling over the crust and bake for another 25-30 minutes.
9. Let cool before cutting into bars. Enjoy!

3) Cranberry Apple Crisp

Cranberry Apple Crisp is a delightful dessert that combines tart cranberries with sweet apples. This dish is perfect for Thanksgiving and adds a warm, comforting touch to your holiday table.

Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need fresh apples, cranberries, sugar, flour, oats, and butter. This mix gives a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

To make the crisp, you’ll first mix the fruit with sugar and flour. Then, pour it into a baking dish. For the topping, combine oats, flour, and melted butter until crumbly. Spread it over the fruit.

Bake the crisp at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.

This dish pairs nicely with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh apples, sliced
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup butter, melted

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine apples, cranberries, sugar, and flour.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
4. In another bowl, mix oats, flour, and melted butter until crumbly.
5. Spread the oat mixture over the fruit.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.

4) Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping is a delicious treat perfect for Thanksgiving. It combines creamy sweet potatoes with a sweet, gooey marshmallow layer on top.

To start, you will need to roast sweet potatoes until they are soft. You can pierce them with a knife and wrap them in foil for easy cooking. After roasting, let them cool, then peel and mash them.

Next, mix the mashed sweet potatoes with some butter, sugar, and spices for extra flavor. Spoon this mixture into a baking dish. Then, spread marshmallows on top for a crispy, sweet finish. Bake until the marshmallows turn golden brown for that perfect touch.

Ingredients

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• Mini marshmallows

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roast the sweet potatoes for 50-60 minutes until soft.
3. Let cool, then peel and mash the sweet potatoes.
4. Mix in butter, sugars, and milk.
5. Spoon into a baking dish and top with marshmallows.
6. Bake until marshmallows are golden, about 10 minutes.

5) Spiced Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Spiced Carrot Cake is a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table. This cake is moist and flavorful, thanks to the spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Shredded carrots add sweetness and texture, making every bite delightful.

A rich cream cheese frosting perfectly balances the spices. It adds a creamy touch that pairs well with the cake’s warmth. You can easily make this dessert ahead of time. It will still taste fresh when served.

When your guests take a bite, they will enjoy the comforting flavors. This Spiced Carrot Cake is sure to impress and become a favorite during the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups shredded carrots
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Grease two 9-inch cake pans.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. In another bowl, beat oil, sugar, and eggs.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
6. Fold in carrots and vanilla.
7. Divide batter into cake pans.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Classic Apple Pie

Classic apple pie is a cherished dessert that brings warmth to any Thanksgiving table. The combination of sweet and tart apples paired with warm spices creates an inviting flavor. You can use a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for a delightful balance.

The flaky crust is just as important as the filling. You can make your own crust or use store-bought for convenience. A lattice top adds a beautiful touch to your pie, making it even more appealing.

Serve your apple pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. It’s a comforting treat that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 6 to 8 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Pie crust for top and bottom

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
3. Place the bottom crust in a pie pan.
4. Fill with the apple mixture.
5. Cover with the top crust, making slits for steam.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30-35 minutes.

7) Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Salted caramel cheesecake is a delightful twist on the classic dessert. This rich and creamy cheesecake has a smooth texture that melts in your mouth. The sweet and salty combination adds a unique flavor that everyone will love.

To make this cheesecake, you will need a buttery crust. A mix of gingersnaps and toasted pecans can give it a wonderful crunch. The filling is made with cream cheese, sugar, and, of course, salted caramel.

Bake your cheesecake until it’s set and let it cool. Once it’s cool, add a layer of homemade salted caramel on top. Drizzle a little more caramel before serving for extra sweetness.

Your guests will be impressed by this elegant dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gingersnap crumbs
• ¼ cup toasted pecans, chopped
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup salted caramel sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Mix gingersnap crumbs, pecans, and melted butter in a bowl.
3. Press the mixture into a springform pan.
4. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
5. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
6. Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 60 minutes.
7. Cool completely and top with salted caramel sauce before serving.

8) Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is a delightful twist on the classic pecan pie. The combination of chocolate and bourbon adds a rich depth of flavor that makes it perfect for Thanksgiving.

You start with a pie crust and fill it with a mixture of pecans, chocolate chips, and a smooth bourbon-infused filling. The result is a sweet and nutty dessert that everyone will love.

When baking, set your oven to 325ºF (about 160ºC). This ensures the pie cooks evenly and develops a beautiful golden brown color.

You can make this pie ahead of time, making it a great option for holiday gatherings. It can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days or in the fridge for longer freshness.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1-2 tablespoons bourbon

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC).
2. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate.
3. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate chips into the crust.
4. In a saucepan, heat corn syrup, sugar, and butter until smooth.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool slightly.
6. Stir in the eggs and bourbon, then pour over the pecans.
7. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until set.

9) Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding is a delightful dessert that bursts with seasonal flavors. The combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange creates a perfect balance. This dish is both easy to make and elegant, making it ideal for Thanksgiving.

You start with bread, which soaks in a creamy mixture of eggs, half-and-half, and sugar. Adding dried cranberries and fresh orange juice enhances the flavor. For extra flair, you can include orange zest and a hint of vanilla.

Once baked, top your pudding with an orange glaze for a sweet finish. This dessert is great served warm, and it pairs nicely with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• 6 cups of stale bread, cubed
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla.
3. Add bread cubes and cranberries. Mix until the bread is soaked.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
5. Bake for 45–50 minutes until set and golden.
6. Let the pudding cool slightly before serving with glaze or whipped cream.

10) Maple Walnut Blondies

Maple Walnut Blondies are a delightful twist on traditional blondies. They are soft, chewy, and filled with the warm flavors of maple and brown sugar. The crunchy walnuts add a lovely texture that makes every bite satisfying.

To make them, you’ll want to use real maple syrup for the best taste. It enhances the dessert without overpowering the subtle flavor of the walnuts. These blondies are perfect for Thanksgiving, offering something unique alongside the usual pies.

You can easily customize the recipe. If you’re allergic to walnuts, feel free to leave them out. The blondies will still be delicious and sweet.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) butter
• 2 cups (400g) brown sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (120g) chopped walnuts

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt butter and brown sugar together in a bowl.
3. Stir in maple syrup and eggs until well combined.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in walnuts.
6. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish.
7. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden.