Let’s talk dessert for a second. Dessert is part of the meal, and you never have to earn it. You don’t need to eat a certain way throughout the day to deserve a slice of pie or a brownie after dinner.
Food is meant to be enjoyed, and Thanksgiving dessert is one of those things that makes the holiday extra special. Give yourself permission to enjoy what sounds good without overthinking it.
And more importantly, “saving up” for dessert only backfires. You end up ravenous – which leads to mindless, overeating.
Instead, enjoy normal meals and snacks throughout the day. When you approach dessert with an allowance mindset – and with moderate hunger levels – you’re better able to truly enjoy it.
Whether you’re craving something pumpkin-spiced, apple-filled, or chocolatey, these Thanksgiving desserts are easy to make and even easier to love. Some come together quickly, while others can be made ahead of time to make your holiday a little less stressful.
Planning the whole Thanksgiving menu? Check out my ultimate Thanksgiving recipe roundup for appetizers, sides, and mains to go with these desserts.
Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Desserts
- No pie crust required. You’ll find pumpkin and apple flavors without rolling out dough.
- Many are make-ahead friendly. Brownies, blondies, banana bread, cookie bars, and muffins can all be baked a day or two ahead, and several freeze well.
- They use simple ingredients. Most use pantry staples, so there’s no hunt for specialty items.
- There’s something for everyone. Pumpkin lovers, apple lovers, and chocolate lovers all get a dessert.
- They work for a crowd. The 9×13 pan recipes (apple blondies, holiday cookie bars) make plenty, and the muffins and brownies are easy to hand out.
- They’re not all oven hogs. The pumpkin pudding is made in a blender with no baking, and the beignets and skillet cookie use the stovetop or a small skillet.
- They’re easy to take with you. Bars, muffins, and loaves travel well, which helps if you’re bringing dessert to someone else’s house.
- They’re good the next day. Many of these taste great as leftovers, so you’ll have a treat for breakfast the morning after.
If you try any of the recipes, be sure to come back and leave a rating and review.
Thanksgiving Desserts
Apple Cider Donut Muffins
Soft muffins made with reduced apple cider and applesauce, brushed with butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. They taste just like an apple cider donut, and they bake in about 15 minutes.
Chocolate Chip Apple Blondies
Soft, chewy blondies packed with fresh apples, cinnamon, and chocolate chips. Made in a 9×13 pan, they feed a crowd and keep well, so you can bake them ahead.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Moist, fluffy pumpkin bread with ripe banana, maple syrup, warm spices, and plenty of chocolate chips. Bake it ahead, since it keeps for days and freezes beautifully for the holidays.
Double Layer Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies
Fudgy chocolate brownie meets a spiced pumpkin layer in these double layer brownies. They’re rich, gooey, and make-ahead friendly, so they’re a great fall dessert for sharing.
Fudgy Tahini Brownies
Ridiculously fudgy brownies with a hint of nutty tahini and chunks of melty chocolate, finished with flaky salt. They use just one bowl and bake in about 25 minutes.
Holiday Cookie Bars
Chewy, buttery cookie bars studded with chocolate chunks and festive sprinkles, all made in one 9×13 pan. They’re easy to make for a crowd and freeze well.
Pumpkin Pie Pudding
Creamy, spiced, and no crust needed. This pumpkin pie pudding comes together in a blender in 5 minutes, then gets topped with whipped cream and candied pecans. It’s an easy Thanksgiving dessert you can make days ahead.
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Beignets
Thin apple slices are dipped in batter, pan-fried until golden, tossed in cinnamon sugar, and drizzled with caramel. They’re a fun, easy way to use up fall apples.
Apple Cinnamon Skillet Cookie
A warm, gooey oatmeal cookie baked in a mini skillet with fresh apples and topped with sautéed cinnamon apples. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert for two.
The Best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Moist, easy banana bread made in one bowl with maple syrup, coconut oil, and chocolate chips. It’s naturally dairy-free (with dairy-free chips), and it makes a great breakfast-for-dessert the morning after.
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I hope this roundup makes planning your Thanksgiving desserts easier. Pick a few favorites (or bake all of them!) and let me know which ones make it to your table. If you make any of these Thanksgiving desserts, tag me on Instagram at @sammibrondo.rd or leave a star rating and comment on the recipe. I love hearing how they turn out!
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Want to learn more about creating a healthy relationship with food? Check out my course, Food Freedom for the Whole Family here.
Not ready for that yet? Check out any of these free resources below:
How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Food blog
I’m an Intuitive Eating Dietitian and This is What I Do When My Body Image is Bad blog
How to Stop Obsessing About Weight While Working Towards Food Freedom blog
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