Thanksgiving Desserts

A Thanksgiving dessert of Apple-Cranberry-Currant Pie with French Topping.

Photography by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

Thanksgiving dessert recipes

Apple-Cranberry-Currant Pie with French Topping

Studded with tart cranberries and sweet currants, laced with brandy and finished with a buttery, crisp topping, this dressed up apple pie is a Sunset favorite.

Recipe: Apple-Cranberry-Currant Pie with French Topping

Photography by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

Roasted Sweet-Potato Cheesecake with Maple Cream

This prize-winning recipe from a Sunset reader is one of our absolute favorites, creamy and moist, with just the right amount of sweetness, this dessert will wow your guests.

Recipe: Roasted Sweet-Potato Cheesecake with Maple Cream

Photography by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

Pumpkin Streusel Pie

Embellish a classic pumpkin pie with a streusel topping, then overlap pastry leaves around the edge and set a few on top for a festive presentation.

Recipe: Pumpkin Streusel Pie

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Amy Machnak

Pumpkin Caramel Ice Cream Pie

Layers of pumpkin and vanilla ice cream top gooey caramel on a graham cracker crust.

Recipe: Pumpkin Caramel Ice Cream Pie

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Amy Machnak

Apple Pumpkin Galette

Basically an open-face pie, this is a great dessert for pie-phobes to make because the crust is so easy to handle.

Recipe: Apple Pumpkin Galette

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

The canned pumpkin in the batter keeps these cupcakes moist, reducing the amount of oil you need to use.

Recipe: Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

Photography by James Carrier

Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte with Ginger Crust

This fancy, but easy dessert uses store-bought ice cream that you then embellish. The gingersnap crust makes it extra special as well as the generous drizzling of fudge and caramel sauces.

Recipe: Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte with Ginger Crust

Photography by James Carrier

Walnut-Caramel Tart

Ooey-gooey caramel and toasted walnuts in a buttery crust make this tart something special.

Recipe: Walnut-Caramel Tart

Photography by Leo Gong

Pumpkin-Orange Mascarpone Pie

Jazz up the traditional Thanksgiving dessert with mascarpone, a hint of orange flavor, and a gingersnap crust.

Recipe: Pumpkin-Orange Mascarpone Pie

Photography by James Carrier

Soy Milk Pumpkin Pie

Although healthier than the traditional pumpkin pie, this soy version is just as tasty–no one will be the wiser.

Recipe: Soy Milk Pumpkin Pie

A Thanksgiving dessert of Pear Cranberry Crisp.

Photography by Lisa Romerein

Pear Cranberry Crisps

Juicy pears take the place of apples in this twist on the apple cranberry crisp. Bake them in individual dishes for an especially pretty presentation.

Recipe: Pear Cranberry Crisps

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Amy Machnak

Pumpkin Brûlee Tart

It’s pumpkin pie meets crème brûlee, and worthy of your next dinner party.

Recipe: Pumpkin Brûlee Tart

A Thanksgiving dessert of Rustic Pear Tarts with Creme Fraiche

Photography by Rachel Weill; styling by Dan Becker

Rustic Pear Tarts with Crème Fraiche

Fresh pears and purchased puff pastry add up to an incredibly easy seasonal dessert.

Recipe: Rustic Pear Tarts with Crème Fraiche

David Prince

Apple-Cranberry Mince Tartlets

These pretty tartlets make for a special individual holiday dessert. We love them with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream.

Recipe: Apple-Cranberry Mince Tartlets

Photography by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

Apricot Nut Tart

This tart is so easy to tote, and everyone loves its supremely buttery crust packed with crunchy nuts and soft, tangy apricots.

Recipe: Apricot Nut Tart

Photo by Annabelle Breakey

Pumpkin-Orange Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust and Salted Caramel

For a fissure-free cheesecake, beat your filling just until it's blended-no more. (Too much air in the mixture will make it defalte, and then crack, in the oven.)

Recipe: Pumpkin-Orange Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust and Salted Caramel

Photography by Monica Buck

Praline Pumpkin Torte

This showstopper is full of our favorite things, buttery pecans, caramely topping, and pumpkin cake, then layered with billowy whipped cream.

Recipe: Praline Pumpkin Torte

Photography by James Carrier

Chocolate-Caramel Trifle with Raspberries

Not everyone loves pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, so try serving this gorgeous and decadent chocolate raspberry trifle in addition to the classic pie.

Recipe: Chocolate-Caramel Trifle with Raspberries

Photography by Annabelle Breakey; styling by Dan Breaker

Cranberry Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake

Caramel-coated walnuts and cranberries top this tender, easy to make, cake.

Recipe: Cranberry Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake

Monica Buck

Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Brown sugar glazed pears top moist ginger cake in this fall-inspired twist on the classic pineapple upside-down cake.

Recipe: Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Photography by Annabelle Breakey; styling by Dan Becker

Orange Ribbon Cheesecake

This creamy cheesecake has a glistening topping of caramelized, candy-like orange slices.

Recipe: Orange Ribbon Cheesecake

James Carrier

Cranberry Crown Cheesecake

Glistening, glazed cranberries shine like jewels atop a luxuriously creamy cheesecake.

Recipe: Cranberry Crown Cheesecake

22 Thanksgiving desserts

Thanksgiving dessert recipes

Roasted Sweet-Potato Cheesecake with Maple Cream

Pumpkin Streusel Pie

Pumpkin Caramel Ice Cream Pie

Apple Pumpkin Galette

Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes

Pumpkin Ice Cream Torte with Ginger Crust

Walnut-Caramel Tart

Pumpkin-Orange Mascarpone Pie

Soy Milk Pumpkin Pie

Pear Cranberry Crisps

Pumpkin Brûlee Tart

Rustic Pear Tarts with Crème Fraiche

Apple-Cranberry Mince Tartlets

Apricot Nut Tart

Pumpkin-Orange Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust and Salted Caramel

Praline Pumpkin Torte

Chocolate-Caramel Trifle with Raspberries

Cranberry Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake

Pear and Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Orange Ribbon Cheesecake

Cranberry Crown Cheesecake