50 essential desserts everyone needs on their table this Thanksgiving

Even if you and your family aren’t planning on getting together this year like you typically do, you’ll probably still make your traditional meal for your immediate family.

Much attention is always given to the turkey and different ways to roast or prepare it. There are endless suggestions for side dishes too. But dessert should never be forgotten.

Even though your mind is muddled and you’re in a food coma thanks to all the tryptophan you just consumed, you give yourself an hour or two and then tuck into dessert.

But what will you be serving for dessert?

Here are 50 traditional recipes that make the most of the crops of autumn.

1. Pumpkin Pie

But of course. There has to be at least a pumpkin pie, right? Do you think you can replicate this beautiful creation? It’s made with lots of eggs and has a custard like filling.

Recipe @ Taste of Home
Source:

Recipe @ Taste of Home

2. Sour Cream Apple Pie

Apple pie is another fall favorite. Actually, it’s a favorite any time of year. And this one, with its crumbly topping, is a crowd pleaser.

3. Salted Pecan Shortbread Squares

These look delicious. Little bite size bars instead of a whole slice of pecan pie. And with a shortbread crust—definitely something to try.

4. Cranberry Meringue Pie

Does your household like cranberry with their turkey dinner? Then if you’re already buying cranberry, consider this cranberry meringue pie. If you are making it, just be sure to leave time for it to sit in your refrigerator at least four hours.

5. Walnut Pumpkin Cake Roll

If you’re not tired of carving up pumpkins, here’s something to try. It looks like it’s a lot of work, but it really isn’t and is a crowd pleaser.

6. Caramel Pecan Pie

I don’t know about you, but I love anything that’s got caramel in it. The most tedious part of this recipe is unwrapping the 36 caramels that are necessary.

7. Cranberry Mousse

I think you could use this as a side or as a dessert. If you are making this for dessert, it’s light and maybe a good choice after such a heavy meal.

8. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

You know there’s going to be a ton of pumpkin recipes here, right? And anything is delicious with cream cheese frosting.

9. Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies

You’re going to need real Maple syrup for these. Simply cover them with the maple glaze or if you prefer, you can decorate them a little more with sprinkles.

10. Salted Dark Chocolate Tart

For the chocolate lovers. And those who like a little caramel in their life as well. because this rich dessert

11. Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Two of my favorites. I, personally, will definitely be making this cheesecake. And I say that even before realizing this recipe won a grand prize in an Apple recipe contest.

12. Cranberry Walnut Pie

What a beautiful looking pie. Such a rich, ruby red color. Add the lattice crust and you have yourself a work of art. And one that I’m sure tastes as good as it looks.

13. Pumpkin Bars with Browned Butter Frosting

I love the idea of bars for dessert after such a big meal. It gives you a chance to have a small taste of something and not feel too guilty.

14. Autumn Apple Torte

It’s apple season, and there are so many wonderful apple desserts to consider. Why not try this torte with a cream cheese layer?

15. Pumpkin Mousse Trifle

Hmm, I’m not sure about this. To me, trifle should have berries, liquor, and cream. However, this does have pound cake and sugared pecans, so it might be worth a try.

16. Classic Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is one of my all-time favorites. I usually prefer it layered sky high with lots of icing between the layers, but small bars are a good idea after a heavy meal.

17. Apple-Almond Bake

A twist on your standard apple crisp dessert. Adding almonds to the topping gives it a different flavor, And a little more texture.

18. Cranberry Meringue Cake

Wow. There’s a lot going on there. But those layers of meringue and frosting make it look very tempting.

19. Mixed Nut ‘n’ Fig Pie

It looks like your standard pecan pie, but in this case looks are deceiving. And adding orange marmalade to the recipe gives it a distinctive flavor.

20. Potluck German Apple Cake

I’m not sure what categorizes this recipe as potluck since it has all the standard ingredients, like apples, pecans, and cinnamon. But what does it matter? Anything with frosting is worth trying.

21. Squash Custard Pie

I’m not going to lie. I hate squash, and would never eat this pie. However for those who are more adventurous than I am, give it a try.

22. Cranberry-Apple Lattice Pie

I’ve never eaten cranberry and apple together. But I’m wondering if this would be reminiscent of the apple rhubarb pie my mom used to make.

23. Apple Stack Cake

This creation is a make in advance creation. The layers have to be created two days before you plan to serve them, and then you simply dust the top with confectioners’ sugar.

24. Pecan Cake w/Cookie Butter Frosting

I had to look up cookie butter. It’s a butter that is made from ground up spice cookies. So this dessert is actually a cake with cookies on top.

25. Orange Sweet Potato Pie with Ginger Streusel

I like sweet potato. I don’t love it, but I will eat it occasionally. But I’m not sure I want to eat a sweet potato pie, although I know many of you will.

26. Spice Cookies with Pumpkin Dip

This is a great idea. Who needs milk to dunk their cookies in when you have created a dip specifically for that purpose? So much better than milk.

27. Pumpkin Pecan Custard

What a great alternative to pumpkin pie. Actually this sounds like something you might even want to try for a semi-healthy—okay, not healthy at all—breakfast.

28. Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake

If it has the word cheesecake in it, I’m ready to give anything a try. And I don’t think I’d have to be prompted too much to try this combination.

29. Southern Bourbon Pecan Pie

Bourbon splashed pie? Oh yeah. I’m all over that. And the filling is gluten free, so switch out the pie crust and you have yourself a gluten free dessert.

30. Cranberry Pear Tart

This promises to be a low-calorie dessert. Well truthfully, it’s just a lower calorie dessert then a typical pie would be. But it looks delicious and worth trying.

31. Sweet Potato Pie Cake Roll

This is much like the pumpkin cake roll listed above. Except it’s using sweet potato. I think I would prefer the pumpkin roll.

32. Buttermilk Pecan Pie

This is different. Since this pie is made with buttermilk it’s a different color than your classic pecan pie with the dark color.

33. Mini Pumpkin Cakes

These are cute. They are made in mini Bundt cans and of course resemble mini pumpkins. I think these would be a hit with kids and adults.

34. Tender Pecan Logs

These might be a good idea for those who really don’t want dessert but would like something a little sweet with their coffee or tea after dinner. But they’re not overly sweet.

35. Sweet Potato, Pear, and Fig Crisp

Even if you dress it up with pear and fig, I’m still not sure I would be a fan of potato in my dessert. It doesn’t matter what kind of potato we’re talking about.

36. Triple Pear Pie

I bet you could fool a lot of people with this pie. It looks remarkably like an apple pie doesn’t it? But I think it needs some ice cream.

37. Miniature Pumpkin Cake Towers

These are cute little cakes. And easy to cut in half for those who only want a small piece. But then end up asking for seconds anyway.

38. Bread Pudding with Homemade Caramel Sauce

I think we should call this an after Thanksgiving dessert. It’s the perfect way to use up any dinner rolls that didn’t get eaten with the meal the day before.

39. Cranberry Icebox Cookies

Oh, these look delicious. And they are easy to make ahead too, since you can make up the dough in advance and then store it in the fridge.

40. Cranberry-Cherry Nut Pie

If you’ve taken all your time cooking the meal, this is a quick dessert. You could even buy the crust if you wanted. Simply mix cranberries with cherry pie filling and you are good to go.

41. Favorite Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Tart

This just looks sooo good! This is a variation on the classic pecan pie. The addition of chocolate, caramel, and bourbon makes it even more decadent.

42. Fresh Pear Ginger Crisp

Why are crisps so appealing? It doesn’t matter the fruit combination—you just add a crisp of oats and sugar to the top and you have a simple but awesome dessert.

43. Orange, Fig & Walnut Bars

I have to say that’s a combination I would never have thought of. But this bar is uniquely different. And it seems you may not be able to stop at just one.

44. Gingerbread & Pumpkin Cream Trifle

Gingerbread and pumpkin. The tastes and flavor of fall. Mixed together in this trifle, they look hard to resist.

45. Billie’s Southern Sweet Potato Cake

It kind of looks like carrot cake. And I think I’ve said I love carrot cake. Maybe I’m going to need to get past my sweet potato reservations.

46. Maple Pumpkin Pie

Oh, yes! You could make pretty much anything taste better by adding real maple syrup. But adding it to something already yummy? Hold me back.

47. Pecan Meringue Pie

Meringue clearly isn’t just for lemon pies. It’s time to move out of our comfort zones and start adding it to a host of other pies.

48. Cranberry Cake with Caramel Sauce

This cake reminds me of a muffin for some reason. And would probably taste delicious without the toppings—but why would anyone do that?

49. Pumpkin Pie Tartlets with Maple Pecan Crust

These are for those with food allergies. If you are looking for a traditional dessert that is also gluten, egg, and dairy free, give these a try.

50. Sour Cream Pumpkin Cake

The streusel in the center of the cakes pumps it up a notch. A little surprise for everyone as you slice it up. It’s also a great compliment to the cinnamon in the cake.

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Article Sources:

Taste of Home

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